I will look into those pumps...where do you get them from?
And yes I totally agree, happy wife happy life. And silent is happy.

I have been using a Bubble magus curve 7 for my tank and it is very quiet. I hear my AC Pump and the water moving in the sump over the skimmer I have been very happy with it.

Along with spending big money on the type of pumps you should really do the regular maintenance on the pumps. Taking them out once a year and cleaning off the impellar body as well as the housing can do wonders. If you leave it for too long and then clean it, all of the unique little wear patterns and associated algae or calcium precipitation that may have filled those voids may become misaligned. Then the pump will be even noisier.

I run Abyzz A200 return pumps and a RD3 speedy on my Red Dragon skimmer. All DC pumps and quite quiet.

I would sure like to get a rd3 or abyzz return pump but they are pretty pricy.
That's why I was looking at the ecotech vectra m1.
Is anyone using the ecotech m1 pump?
Or the quantum 160 skimmer?

I have a buddy with the ecotech pump and he's super happy with it. I don't know anyone with the quantum skimmer though.

I've use the Sicce Syncra 4.0 for my return pump and it's super quiet. I can't hear it at all. Before that I used the Eheim 1262 and it was just as quiet but it had a slightly bigger foot print.

Got from an online vendor in the states...dollar was close to par. Nobody in Canada was carrying RD at the time... Don't know if that's changed. Pm me if u want the name.
Cheers
VR

I run a Vertex 180I skimmer and it is very quiet!

I'm using a Sicce Syncra right now and IMO it's kind of noisy compared to the DC pumps I have used (Reef Octopus DC and a waveline DC). The reef octopus has a subtle high pitched whine, but it is definitely a lot quieter than the Sicce Syncra.

Choosing the smallest possible return pump for your tank is another way to minimize noise.

I have used an eheim 1262 and found it loud, some people say it's quiet. Definitely dc pumps are more quiet. I will look at the Waveline. Thanks