AQUARIUM

How to Select the Right Aquarium Water Pump

Pets are a welcome addition to many people’s lives; however, not everyone can handle nor want the responsibility of large animals. Perhaps space is an issue, or cost, or time. For those who would enjoy a pet but whose concerns have restricted their purchase in the past, the tranquility of fish could be the answer.

A well maintained aquarium can bring hours of joy and entertainment to a household. But what is necessary to establish a stable environment for fish, simply a bowl and water? For most species of fish, the answer is decidedly “No.” To create and enjoy an aquarium, careful planning should preview any purchase of equipment or fish. Consider the size of tank needed, the type of aquarium water pump, the size of filter, and whether a water heater is necessary.

For aquarium success, proper circulation, along with filtration and lighting, is the foundation. Consider the natural environment of water. It contains air circulation and exchange, plant and microbial life, fish, and constant changes from weather conditions; it is a complete ecosystem, your household aquarium is not. Without proper circulation your tank will fail.

Water movement is necessary because it creates surface movement. This movement allows oxygen into the water and lets waste gas (nitrogen) out. Water circulation is also an important part in stabilizing water conditions like temperature and salinity, where fluctuations might stress or kill your fish. Heaters necessary to produce more natural temperatures for your fish only affect one area in your tank, the rest of the aquarium relies on circulation to evenly distribute it. Equally, without an aquarium water pump, normal algae growth can become extraordinary. With water movement this growth is eliminated at the surface (like in ponds) and it becomes much more difficult for algae to take hold of other surfaces.

So how much water movement is needed? Depending on the size and type of your tank, industry standards state to multiply the number of gallons in your tank by the “turn-over rate” for your species of fish following the chart below.

Tank Type Turnover Rate
Freshwater Tanks (small fish) 3-4 times per hour
Freshwater Tanks with Plants 2 times per hour
Freshwater Tanks (large fish) 5-6 times per hour
Saltwater Tanks 5-7 times per hour
Saltwater Reef 7-10+ times per hour

For example, with a 10 gallon, fresh-water fish tank, and no live plants, I would need a GPH (gallon per hour) movement rate of 40 (10gal X 4tr.)

There are many different types of aquarium filtration to consider. Aquarium water pumps can be internal or external and generally require a “trickle” or wet/dry filtration system. Depending on your space and application needs, you can choose from submersible pumps that sit inside your tank and are relatively quiet and easy to install or external/inline pumps which are considerably louder but stronger powered. Powerheads are also available; these types of submersible pumps attach to the sides of your tank and create underwater currents. You can find these and all other equipment needed for your aquarium online at JuliesPetMarket.com.

JuliesPetMarket.com carries a huge selection of aquarium water pumps. Such brands as GenX, Rio, and Coralife populate this site attesting to the high demand for quality required by the owners. All items carry a full, 30-day, manufacturers’ warranty, and JuliesPetMarket.com offers a 14-day “return for any reason” guarantee as well. Make sure to check out their website in the planning stages of your aquarium to get some great product at affordable prices. If you have questions or need help through this process, their friendly, knowledgeable staff is available to help.

About the Author

Julie’s Pet Market is your source for all your pet supply needs. We provide a wide selection of pet supplies and equipment making us the Key to your Pet Supply

MaxiJet Powerhead Mod

2X 3200 GPH Aquarium Wave Maker Circulating Vibration Powerhead Dual Twin Pump $39.95

Hagen 402 Aquarium Power head Replacement Impeller $10.99

TAAM Seio Prop Pump SP 1000 gph Aquarium High Flow Powerhead with Magnet Mount $49.00

2 1300GPH Wave Maker Coral Fish Pump Aquarium Powerhead 5000L/H Marine Vibration $29.95

Penguin 660 Aquarium Powerhead/Pump Marineland $29.95

Penguin 660 Reverse Flow Powerhead/Pump Marineland $33.95

Penguin 1140 Aquarium Powerhead/Pump Marineland $36.95

Maxi-Jet 900 Pro Powerhead/Circulation Pump Marineland $27.85

Maxi-Jet 1200 Pro Powerhead/Circulation Pump Marineland $29.65

Maxi-Jet 600 Pro Powerhead/Circulation Pump Marineland $25.15

Maxi-Jet 400 Pro Powerhead/Circulation Pump Marineland $22.45

AQUACLEAR 20 POWERHEAD PARTS AUCTION- LOOK AT WHAT YOU GET! IMPELLER AND MORE… $9.99

New 800 GPH POWERHEAD WAVE MAKER WATER PUMP $18.45

Rio Plus Aqua Pump Powerhead 1700 Aquarium Pond Fountain $44.99

Rio Plus Aqua Pump Powerhead 1100 Aquarium Pond Fountain $44.99

Sunsun 12W 6000L/H Fish Tank Dual Wave Maker Aquarium Pump Power Head JVP-201 $0.90

7X 320GPH Submersible Water Pump Oil-Free Motor Aquarium Fountain Pond Powerhead $64.95

2pk Hydor Koralia #1 Nano Pump 425 gph Power Head Wave $59.99

2x Twin Wave Maker 3200 GPH Aquarium Powerhead Marine $39.90

TAAM Rio Hyperflow 17, Hyper Flow 17, Powerhead 17HF $58.40

SHOP 2 X 375 GPH SUBMERSIBLE FISH TANK WATER PUMP POWERHEAD $43.99

SHOP AQUARIUM SUBMERSIBLE POND WATER PUMP POWERHEAD 580 GPH $42.00

Protein Skimmer Filter Pump With Power Head Fish Tank Aquarium Tank Salt Water $39.95

TAAM Seio 1100 M1100 Super Aquarium Water Flow Pump Powerhead 1100 gph, NIB $51.21

2 New 800GPH Wave Maker Aquarium Water Pump Powerhead 3000L/H Circulation Reef $28.95

1300GPH Wave Maker Aquarium Tank Circulating Powerhead 5000L/H Suction Cup Mount $19.95

1300GPH Wave Maker Fish Pump Aquarium Tank Powerhead 5000L/H Marine Vibration $19.90

2 1300GPH Wave Maker Coral Fish Pump Aquarium Powerhead 5000L/H Marine Vibration $29.90

1300 GPH Wave Maker Aquarium Pump Reef Fish Powerhead Corals Tank Circulation $19.90

2 X 1300GPH Wave Maker Aquarium Pump Reef Tank Corals Fish Marine Powerhead Set $29.90

2 530GPH Aquarium Protein Skimmer Pump Powerhead 80 to 300 Gal Tank Micro Bubble $75.90

Aquarium Protein Skimmer w/ 300GPH Pump Powerhead 40 to 80 Gal Tank Micro Bubble $49.95

Koralia Evolution 550 Circulation Pump Aquarium Powerhead Hydor $40.45

Sunsun 12W 6000L/H Fish Tank Dual Wave Maker Aquarium Pump Power Head JVP-201 $0.90

Sunsun 12W 6000L/H Fish Tank Dual Wave Maker Aquarium Pump Power Head JVP-201 $0.90

Marineland Maxi-Jet 1200 Pro Powerhead ML90512 -295/1300 GPH – UPC: 047431905122 $15.50

Catalina CA1800 Power Head Pump & Bio Filter Pumps 2630 Liters Hour GC $47.95

Taam Rio Plus 90 Powerhead/Pump $13.99

Rio 2100 Power Head Submersible Pump — Pumps 2160 Liters Hour GC $37.95