Who makes the quietest air pump?

[Rob S]

I'm currently running a Mag Drive 1800 gph on my tank and the noise it's making is starting to drive me crazy. Any recommendations on a pump that is equal in gph but quieter? It's the submersible type that sits in the sump. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[danielratti]

I think you mean return pump not air. The mag shouldn't be noisy. I have a 24 and can't hear it. How old is it? On the impellors they sometimes have issues with the washers wearing out on them. Generally I rebuild these at work all the time if you tear it apart and look chances are its worn these out any small stainless washers will work just make sure they are the same width as the impellor shaft

[Rob S]

Yes, return pump thank you for making me clarify. It's not making any abnormal sounds, the normal humming is just louder than I would like. Wondering who makes a quieter version.

[danielratti]

Chances are that its the impellors washer wearing out. Just pull it apart replace them and good as.new unless it messed up.the inside of the pump housing

[runawaypencil]

My vote also rebuild the magdrive and it will quiet right down..  I rebuild them every 5 years ish or as needed some time it will get some sand in them and that just tears them apart...  It doesn't sound nearly as hard as you would think theres only a couple moving parts in them...

[danielratti]

Yeah mags last a long ass time as long as you do not run them dry. If you run them too low they will actually melt or warp your impellor housing and if thais the case it is junt unless the impellor is salvageable then save it and buy a new pump of that mode
l incase something goes wrong with the new pump down the road. We use a lot of mag drives at my work as internal pumps for sumps to protien skimmers.and last. If you want a quiet pump and are able to run an external pump id say go for it. On top of that the external pumps donot put the heat off like the mags are know for for doing but since freshwater fish are a bit more forgiving than saltwater id say go for it with the mag less of a hastle if something needs to be rebuilt oln them.