what would be an affordable, quiet, submersible pump to use on a 120g

The Eheim 1262 is a good choice as would be an Ocean Runner 3500 which I used for years before recently switching to a WaterBlaster HY-5000 which is fantastic. I have literally had two Quiet Ones burn up, flames and all so would never recommend one even to my worst enemy.

 

I'll go for the Eheim, I've used one before on a smaller tank and come to think of it, I have been using them for decades. Back in the Netherlands my dad had Eheims on the ponds, which I took over when I grew up... They never ever broke down..

 

Has anyone tries the reef octupus water blasted line of pumps? Supposed to be quiet and energy efficient.

 

Yes, see post #12 above, I just recommended them.
I have been extremely pleased with mine, very very quiet, low heat gain and best of all low power consumption versus the flow rate and head capability. Visibly it is flowing about half again more than my old Ocean Runner 3500 at only 53 measured watts using a Kill A Watt meter.

 

a major major +1 for the Waveline DC5000. Most awesome pump!

 

How'd I miss that? Haha. I was going to get a bigger water blaster so I could run my reactors on my 180. I'm tired of the loud maxi jets.