What Does a Return Pump Do?
A saltwater aquarium is much more than a stunning display. Aquariums have vital components that keep the whole system running. A return pump is vital for maintaining water quality, oxygenation, and circulation inside an aquarium. Whether you are installing your first sump-based system or upgrading existing aquarium equipment, it is important to know the ins and outs of return pumps.
How Do Return Pumps Work?
Return pumps function rather straightforwardly. They take water from your aquarium sump or filtration chamber and return it to the display tank. While this may sound like a simple action, return pumps are the foundation of nearly every aspect of aquarium health and stability.
In a standard sump-based system, water from the main display tank flows into the filtration compartments through either internal overflow boxes or external overflow devices. The return pump then sends the cleaned water back to the display tank, completing the cycle, after traveling through some filtration media (usually carbon filtration media) and treatment phases in the sump.
This constant circulation serves multiple important functions:
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Filtration Support: Return pumps help maintain essential flow through the mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration media, ensuring continuous water treatment.
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Surface Agitation: Well-designed water return keeps surface movement for gas exchange, boosting oxygen while releasing CO2.
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Heat Distribution: Return pumps facilitate consistent temperature across the system, avoiding thermal stratification.
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Nutrient Transport: Circulation creates a constant flow of nutrients to good bacteria and coral life forms throughout the tank.
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Waste Removal: Sufficient flow keeps detritus suspended in the water column until it can be removed by mechanical filtration to avoid dead spots where waste settles.
Return Pump Specifications
Understanding some key specifications will help you select an appropriate return pump based on performance and suitability for your system:
Flow Rate
Measured in gallons per hour (GPH) or liters per hour (LPH), flow rate describes how much water an aquarium return pump can move by the unit of time. At Reefco Aquariums, we offer different return pumps to meet your flow rate needs:
As a rule of thumb, your return pump should turn over 4-5 times the tank volume per hour. For example, a 100-gallon system (sump included) would commonly need a pump in the 500-1,000 GPH range.
Head Pressure
Head pressure refers to the resistance a return pump experiences when water is pushed through a system, generally due to factors such as plumbing, vertical height, and fittings. Head pressure is important to understand as the resistance reduces the return pump’s flow rate. Head pressure is calculated in feet and head, representing the height a return pump can lift the water against gravity.
Energy Efficiency
The energy efficiency of modern return pumps has improved enormously. One company that has pioneered this exodus is Ecotech with its new DC-powered line of pumps, the Vectra series, the world’s smartest aquarium return pump. The Vectra pump will always operate at optimum efficiency because there is no need to use a flow-restricting valve to achieve your desired flow rate.
Noise Level
Return pumps run constantly, so the noise level is an important consideration, especially for systems in living spaces, bedrooms, or senior care centers. The Ecotech Vectra return pump is known for its quiet operation via the “QuietDrive” technology, designed for minimizing motor noise.
Return Pump Installation Considerations
Proper installation of a return pump is important for efficiency and to extend its life.
Positioning:
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Select a location that is easily accessible
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Allow enough space around the pump to prevent overheating
Size & Power:
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Select a return pump with a flow rate that meets your system’s needs
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Consider the head pressure
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Avoid large return pumps that could lead to overflow
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Check if the return pump has an auto-shutoff
Plumbing:
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Check all connections are sealed properly to prevent leaks - we also recommend getting a leak detector kit
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Select the correct pipe size and pipe diameter to minimize pressure loss
Safety:
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Check the return pump is mounted securely and upright
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For electrical pumps, check the voltage and follow safety precautions
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When installing a return pump, provide a stable foundation or base
Ecotech Aquarium Return Pumps
Ecotech Vectra S2 (1400 GPH)
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Flow Rate: 1,400 gph (5,300 lph)
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Wireless Capability: Included
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Max Head Pressure: 11.5 feet (3.5 m)
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Compact Footprint: 3.8 in. x 6.5 in. (98.4mm x 165.4mm)
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Fittings: Input: 1 in. (25 mm), Output: 0.75 in (19mm) with standard PVC quick couplers
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Quiet Drive Technology for minimal noise operation
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Power: 72w power supply
Ecotech Vectra L2 (3100 GPH)
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Flow Rate: 3,100 gph (11,500 lph)
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Wireless Capability: Included
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Max Head Pressure: 21.5 feet (6.5 m)
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Footprint: 5 in. x 8.5 in. (126.8mm x 215.15mm)
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Fittings: Input: 1.5 in. (38 mm), Output: 1.25 in (31.75mm) with standard PVC quick couplers
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Quiet Drive Technology for minimal noise operation
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Power: 150w power supply
Ecotech Vectra M2 (2000 GPH)
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Flow Rate: 2,000 gph (7,500 lph)
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Wireless Capability: Included
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Max Head Pressure: 21.5 feet (6.5 m)
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Footprint: 4.5 in. x 7.5 in. (113.5 mm x 192.6mm)
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Fittings: Input: 1.25 in. (31.75mm), Output: 1 in (25mm) with standard PVC quick couplers
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Quiet Drive Technology for minimal noise operation
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Power: 96w power supply
Conclusion
We talk a lot about skimmers and other large aquarium equipment you can see directly working for the tank, but in many ways, the return pump is the heartbeat of your aquarium system.
Whether you are designing your first reef setup or upgrading an established aquarium system, investing in good return pump technology is a no-brainer in the way of system stability, energy efficiency, and peace of mind.
If you would like to learn more about return pumps or what return pump will best suit your aquarium system, contact the Reefco Aquariums team today for more information.
