Current-USA Eflux DC Flow Pump Comparison + Installation Tips
In this blog post, we're going to compare our 3 Eflux DC flow pumps and give you some helpful installation tips. DC return pumps are still a new technology to many hobbyists and we often get questions on how to best size one for an aquarium or use one in an installation, so hopefully, we can answer some of those questions for you. And if you already have a DC return pump, make sure to watch the end of the video. We have a few installation tips that are critical and hopefully, you've followed them. Our Eflux water flow pumps provide hobbyists a super safe energy efficient, controllable solution for pumping water from any pump or wet/dry filter back up into their aquarium. They can be used both submersible or externally, and they run on super safe 24-volt low voltage vs. high voltage which many pumps use.
One of the best features of our Eflux DC flow pumps is their controllability. Each pump includes a controller manifold with a dial on it that allows you to adjust the water flow from 20 percent all the way up to 100 percent. We set the twenty percent minimum to ensure that when you're in feed mode that the water does not back flow and it's just a safety feature. When you adjust the water flow on your DC return pump, you're also adjusting the power consumption, so you don't need to use ball valves to restrict water flow, you can just dial it down. And as you dial it down, the number of watts you're consuming also drops. You'll save money in electrical consumption, which is something you can't do with AC style return pumps. When connected to a LOOP network, there's also an indicator LED for when the pump is in feed mode.
There's also an indicator LED showing a specific size DC pump connected to it and 4 micro USB ports at the bottom of the controller allow you to connect your hub to other Eflux DC flow pumps, to our wave pumps, or to your lighting system hub. When connected together, these create an entire LOOP network. So what size DC flow pump is best for your aquarium? We normally recommend taking the entire system volume which is the volume of your aquarium plus the volume of your pump and multiplying it times five. This will ensure you get a five-time turnover rate through your filter per hour.
Once you have that number, simply look at our flow chart and reference the green line and look at the flow rate below to find which pump works best for your system. So now that you know which pump you need, let's take a look at the three pump models and compare them.
Our smallest DC return pump produces a maximum flow of 1,050 gallons per hour and consumes a maximum of only 30 watts. It's great for tanks up to 75 gallons in size. It also includes a strainer that conveniently slides over the inlet fitting. This strainer provides protection from debris and ensures it doesn't clog the pump. Our 2 larger DC return pumps are very similar. The medium-sized pump has a flow rate of 1,900 gallons per hour and consumes only 50 watts and it's great for tanks up to 150 gallons. The larger pump has a maximum flow rate of 3,100 gallons per hour and consumes only 80 watts and it's great for tanks up to 300 gallons.
A pump strainer can also be threaded onto the inlet for submersible applications.
No matter what type of aquarium return pump you're using, Here are a few tips to make sure you've installed it correctly and ensure it's running at its maximum efficiency. Always remember the rule: large in, small out. Pumps are designed to do just that, pump water. Most pumps are not designed to suck water so you should always make sure you're using a larger pipe diameter on the inlet and flood the intake of the pump than use a smaller diameter pipe on the outlet and push water out of the pump. When using your DC flow pump in submersible applications make sure you don't get your inlet too close to a pump wall while not using a strainer, otherwise, the pump can get stuck to the side wall.
Lastly, make sure to clean your DC flow pump once every 8 to 12 months. The higher alkalinity levels found in reef aquariums can build up some serious coralline algae on both the pump impeller and on the internal motor cavity. This will not only slow your pump down, it can sometimes even clog the pump all together.