Collection: Water Pumps

Sizing a Return Pump

A return pump is rated at zero head, and that number drops fast once you add vertical lift, elbows and a length of pipe. Size on the flow you need at your actual head height, not the figure on the box, and aim for something in the region of five to ten times display volume turned over per hour through the sump.

AC, DC and Utility

• AC pumps — fixed speed, simple and long-lived, with no controller to fail.
• DC controllable pumps — variable speed with a controller, so you can dial flow in precisely and ramp for feed mode.
• Nano and internal pumps — compact units for small returns, media reactors and skimmers.
• Utility and external pumps — high-output models for large systems, water changes and transfer work.

Larger pumps ship at actual freight cost. A pump running well below its maximum tends to run quieter and cooler than a smaller one working flat out. Sizing help? Email info@jlaquatics.com.