(Part 2) Best aquarium water pumps according to redditors

So awesome, I'd be keen on a project like this... Would be a nice opportunity for me to learn some arduino coding.
What board are you using? what pump for the PB? is it like a small peristaltic pump kinda thing?

Make sure they're not getting too much sugar for their own good.

The koralias are not going to stand up to being on and off on the wavemaker long term. Even if the manufacturer says so.

With the wavemaker, and two koralias, it seems like your budget will be 80 to 100. If your budget allows, look to get a single Tunze 6040 - its currently on sale at BRS - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/tunze-turbelle-nanostream-6040.html. It's a DC pump so you an do a pulse mode which can create a wave - here is a Demo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbUYXhSPrlo

Or you can go with two Jebao pumps - https://www.amazon.com/Jebao-WP-10-Aquarium-Wavemaker-Controller/dp/B00INTDJLC. They are cheaper and not as well made but can get two in the same budget, they can wirelessley communicate with each other and it has a lot of modes. They require more maintenance than say a Tunze pump. I haven't cleaned my Tunze at all since I added them to the tank a year ago.

Off the top of my head, pumps and lights are going to be your biggest contributors (depending on the lights, of course). If you have a big heater or a crazy heating system, that would probably also contribute.

Pumps usually have a power rating on them. This pump has an 84W input, and will likely be running all the time. Not accounting for fancy flow schedules and the like, let's say it is running at 50% power all the time. So that is about 42 Watts, constant. Running for a whole day (84600 seconds), this (42W*86400s) is about 3.6 MJ, or 1 kWh. Electricity costs, on average, 12 cents/kWh. So 12 cents per day to run this pump, or $3.60 a month.

Lights vary. Halides consume a lot more energy than LEDs and are preferred by a lot of people. The calculation is similar to the one above, except you need to factor in that the lights will only be on for 8 to 10 hours a day instead of all the time. This LED strip is 14 Watts, so 84600s/3 (i.e. 8 hours) multiplied by 14 Watts is a little more than .1 kWh, or 1.2 cents per day. So you are looking at 40 cents/month running those. Obviously bigger and fancier lights will cost more.

Heaters are high wattage, but they tend to be off more than on, and I don't know what the actual average "on time" is.

I would say with a small to mid-size tank, no sump, "average" equipment, probably 5 to 10 dollars a month. Larger tanks with bigger heaters or sumps will cost more.

Pump https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FVPLD99/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Wand https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RUFCUC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They're connected with a normal gardening hose that was cut and secured to the pumps nozzle.

KEDSUM 440GPH Submersible Pump (1650L/H,21W), Ultra Quiet Water Pump with 6.9ft High Lift, Fountain Pump with 5.9ft Power Cord, 3 Nozzles for Fish Tank, Pond, Aquarium, Statuary, Hydroponics

Seems to be working really well so far

Picked up this little one they also make an in-line version I was debating but this one made it a cleaner build.

This is the fan I use. I know some people use computer fans with one pointed in and one pointed out to get decent air flow for fairly cheaper. That one is a bit hard to keep tightened down on my tank but I bought it because I was tired of the stress of keeping my old laptop fans on top (plus they crapped out fairly fast). As for a chiller I don't know of any off the top of my head.

Your tubing looks very cleanly setup! do you have a couple more pictures? Its hard to access the viability from the top down.
Installing a Flood and Drain system with a Bell siphon is very simple.

Any cheap 100GPH pump should get you started as long as you add a little flow regulator or ball value.

I used this one to flood a 50L tub 6 times an hour on just its own power: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072JC4XTT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have to clean solids from its filter weekly but its very little work.

Im curious how the Filter was pumping water previous, and if you'll get enough flow through to keep the tank filtered.

A little floating raft could be cut to the exact size and you could do it that way saving on media, and letting the raft allow water to float by into the other end of the filter.

Depending on where solid waste is filtered out before it hits the roots is important to how you decide to move forward.

Hope this helps!

Stocked:

1 super chill betta
11 ruby tetras
1 Costello tetra
6 otos

The original 5 ruby tetras would rarely ever leave the corner of the tank behind the sponge filter. After 2 months of this, I decided to try a powerhead to see if they’d like the increased flow. I removed the sponge on the right side and placed the powerhead in that spot. Within minutes of turning it on, all 12 tetras are schooling around the tank. For the first time, they keep swimming around the sponge filter and ride the air bubbles. I will be adding a few more Costello’s in a week or so once I’m confident the new filter is primed. Tank was cycled fish-in with 6 tetras and a beta as they needed an immediate upgrade. The sword and Anubis came from my old tanks. The dwarf sag was planted 2 weeks ago and is already sending runners. I throw out about that quantity of hornwort a month.

The powerhead was this one
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078MWDSC5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_72UCDbR9DWWCM

I filed the holes bigger to decrease the current a bit as well as replacing the crappy sponge with some filter floss I cut to fit.

For maintenance, I do a 30% WC once a week. I add half a dose of Thrive every couple of days, excel daily and iron usually once a week. Root tabs are also used near the sword and dwarf sag.

Here is how I pimped my 40g after the girls insisted on it. 1st time in 30 years fish keeping with anything artificial in a tank. But anyway.

After decades of hobbying, and working in the industry in the past, here is how I set up all of my freshwater tanks:

1 inch of Miracle Grow Organic potting soil. Capped with 2 1/2 inches of Eco-Complete mixed half and half with black sand. After years of trying different methods, this is exactly how I start substrate in all my tanks now. Easy, lush growth for years.

Koval lighting. I like how wide these are for wider tanks. No real bells or whistles.. but will grow anything.

Hydro Sponge filter (pro version) with a powerhead on it. You can go with two 40g (#3 Sponge) size in opposite sides of the tank with two medium flow powerheads and have the highest level of mechanical and biological filtration & crystal clear water while saving money. Silent and once surrounded by plants, hardscape- invisible.

Easy-Green ferts (available at Aquarium Co-Op).

Aqueon heaters.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OS6C23K?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01

This is the one I'm using. It's cheap, your mileage may vary with it, but it's worked fine for me. 800gph is pretty strong, I usually point mine to deflect off the rear of the tank, and I also have > a lot < of jungle val in my tank, which absorbs quite a bit of the current.

I have the Jebo WP-10 in my 29 biocube and it is too much on the high settings. Low settings it works out really well.

Had it about 9 months. Stopped working and I was about to RMA it, bit I checked one more time before I sent it in and it worked again. Been working ever since.

Not sure how small is "small", but here is a link to an $8 mini submersible pump: 3 watt Mini Pump

...that's 50 gpm (I assume you have a reservoir and way of draining back into it (re-circulation)).

That's way more than I'd like to spend right now. But it raises another question. What's the difference between a pump like that and one like this https://www.amazon.com/AquaTop-Power-Aquarium-158-Gallons-8-Watts/dp/B004GFMMQ0 which is what I'm using now? Is what I'm using less efficient or wrong? When I search power heads in the range I'm looking for, tons of these come up but a prop driven pump seems harder to come by in that size.

something like this will work as long as you don't have to pump over 5 ft vertically>

http://www.amazon.com/Rio-Plus-1400-Aqua-Pump/dp/B000IMXTCG/ref=sr_1_6?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1382903405&sr=1-6&keywords=pump+aquarium

What about this one? Looks like it sucks water from the bottom and pumps higher?

KEDSUM 800GPH Submersible Pump (3000L/H,48W), Ultra Quiet Water Pump with 10ft High ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J3Y6H9V/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_5tH-BbT2MZQ5K

save money buy jecod/jebao.

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https://www.amazon.com/Jebao-10000LPH-Controllable-Function-DCQ-10000/dp/B07H1PGJ3Y/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=jecod+dc+pump&qid=1562031461&s=gateway&sr=8-6

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cheap/chinese have never failed me

buy 2 one for spare parts . dont bother with warranty. at this price you cant go wrong.

Aquarium Pump cleaning with distilled water

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B4RRMWX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7hsFDbGPD5X8F

Used 3/8” ID soft tubing

Your lookin full retail for a big boy, craigslist should have no problem getting something cheap if you life in a decently sized area. Amazon has this little guy, 2 of those would easily be more than enough for a 200g. Only $70. Small tanks are easy to get cheap/free off CL. Then hit HomeDepot for $30 - $70 in supplies. Really the most expensive part would be the media you put in it depending on what you get, no cheapin out on CL for this :(

Google "DIY sump filter" LOT of plans and different designs, it's a pretty simple build and Homedepo/lows will cut materials for ya so you don't even need to buy tools.

And yeah, buying a sump retail can be insane, especially when compared to how easy they are to build.

Might this little guy work: https://www.amazon.com/KEDSUM-Submersible-Fountain-Aquarium-Hydroponics/dp/B072JC4XTT/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?keywords=kedsum&qid=1554500719&s=gateway&sr=8-16

There isn’t a hardware store anywhere particularly close to me I can just pop in to

If you dont want to make a mess... you can try using a small submersible pump. You can find them on Amazon for $10 "Submersible Pump 280L/H Fountain Water Pump for Pond/Aquarium/Fi... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TC4CKRH/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_t1_220FDb2KW22B6" or you can check your local home depot for a tile saw water pump. Ridgid makes one for around $32 and Ryobi makes one for around $20

ECEEN USB Pump Mini Submersible Water Pumping for Aquarium Fish Fountain Garden House Water Hydroponic Powered Via USB DC 3.5-9V 1-3W (black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y57RXFL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-r7cAbX5CHG0J

This is the one I used since I wanted a portable usb setup to hook up to a laptop battery pack. If you are not mobile, just get one of the pumps with wall plugs for more power.

Pretty slick! One idea to simplify the battery refiller is to run your pump off another relay connected to the water level detector. Whether that's a float switch, moisture sensor, or optical sensor, it would turn on the pump via the relay, then shut it off once it's satisfied. No microprocessor needed.

The pump can be a small chemical doser to reduce the chances of overfilling.

If you're not already a part of it, join Axolotl-aholics on Facebook. There's an extremely helpful files section. Anything not answered, you can post and others are fairly good at helping. As far as cooling, I use an aquarium fan I bought off Amazon. I can paste the link below. I keep it on pretty much 24/7 and it keeps it cool. My only complaint is that it evaporates 3-4 gallons of water a week in my 40 gallon breeder tank.

Petzilla Aquarium Chiller, Fish Tank Cooling Fan System for Salt Fresh Water (4-Fan) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DXHFI9E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SDYwDbTE0F9H6

I have this strawberry wall. There is a single 8ft lift from the reservoir to the top of the wall. If that main line I have 8 x 1/4 tubes going into each channel. I am using this keedsum pump KEDSUM 880GPH Submersible Aquarium Water Pump Hydroponic Fountain Powerhead, Higher Speed Flow, Adjustable Flow Rate, Multifunction for Fish Tank Pond Rockery Waterfall https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CGAD986/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_PegnzbBNW830P and I am having issues. It works fine then loses almost all pressure. If I unplug it and plug it back in, the pressure returns.

I'm looking for a quality true and tested brand or model pump that will go the 8ft in the air and feed the 8 channels.

You've been very helpful. Out of curiosity, if I really wanted to power this pump with 9 volt batteries in serial with an AC/DC converter, how many would I need?

This is a thought experiment and I unfortunately can't even ball park how many it would be. Might crosspost to r/estimation

I use the larger of this and love it.
https://www.amazon.com/Odyssea-Powerhead-Water-Pump-Submersible/dp/B016V9Q1AG/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1492379321&sr=8-18-spons&keywords=200+gph+powerhead&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SQX5CEW/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1521689560&sr=8-5&keywords=Jebao&dpPl=1&dpID=51Y3-48JPWL&ref=plSrch

I use this one for my 75 gallon discus tank and usually have water changes done within an hour if it's on it's highest setting

I've been looking at the Jeabo DC pumps.

https://www.amazon.com/Jebao-Jecod-Marine-Controllable-Water/dp/B00SQX5CEW/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1484353056&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=jeabo%2Bdc-3000&th=1

Adjustable power.. you can dial em back to 60% flow.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2371185

hmm well after reading the RC thread .. I'm not so sure.. More reading is needed.

I use one of these, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OS6C23K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I let it mix, and then heat it before a waterchange.

Wow. The Jebao is much less expensive and looks like the same pump

http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-DC-12000-Return-Pump-Aquarium/dp/B00INTDJDA

How big of a tank? If its 50 or more I would use a Power Head with Air-regulation
How to Ditch your air pump