Watch This BEFORE Buying an Aquarium Return Pump / Sump Pump

Do you have a noisy or ineffective return pump on your sump or aquarium?
In this video I run you through all the pros and cons to selecting your return pump.
Hope it helps.
Please Comment, Like & Subscribe.
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[@BlakesAquatics]

Hey all! Throughout this video i mention some example figures such as 5000 lph, running things at 50% and so forth. It is important to always reference head height charts and read the directions provided with your pumps to determine the true flowrate and if your pump can be safely ran over the long term at reduced power. Hope you enjoyed this video.

[@Gilsfishroom]

Great points. I have 2 Jebao dcp pumps in my sump, one of which is connected to a battery backup. The controllers allows me to fine tune the overflow drains so the whole system is silent. Most dc pump with controllers also have a feed mode which pauses the pumps for 10 minutes during feeding so that the food doesn't end up in the sump. Another consideration is that a 5,000lt/r pump won't be delivering 5000lt once you are pumping to a head height of 4 or 5 feet, so you will require a larger pump.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yes great point, shouldve mentioned to consult the head height chart provided with most pumps

[@Lana_Warwick]

@@BlakesAquatics WoW! He said all that without once mentioning the "Approved Water Change Device" 😁

[@Lana_Warwick]

I like the sound of the auto feed mode 👍

[@Gilsfishroom]

@@Lana_Warwick it's very handy Lana, especially if like me, you have a memory like a sieve. I would turn pumps off to feed, then became easily distracted and would neglect to remember to turn them back on.

[@BlakesAquatics]

@@Lana_Warwick 🤣🤣🤣

[@tomcrossan8263]

I have been using the 3.3 Aqua Medic (not submerged) on my 22ltr stainless steel external filter cylinder for the last 12 months, and it is one of the best pumps that I have - surprising how many you collect!!!! I totally agree with you about how quiet it is and no problem restarting after power failures etc. It also runs very, very cool. Being able to control the flow rate is fantastic after using AC pumps. Great that it just plugs into the 240V power board as well.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yeah I love mine! How good when a product just works how its supposed to

[@ErikWhyRock]

This is amazing info!!! My next big tank will have a sump!!

[@calumho6253]

Very educational never knew of these options for sump pump before! thanks

[@1963patto]

Hi Blake, it's Jeff here from Ghost aquariums. I really like your video on the DC runner, especially because I run solar panels and batteries to run my system with an inverter so I can run 240 off the inverter and I've had a little bit of trouble over the years finding a good DC pump so I may well look into one of those mate. Good stuff

[@dominic9279]

Aquarium universe is the best. Go Ben!

[@kchortu]

Heat is the enemy of electronics, which is why you are right about oversize and throttle back. But this may wear out the contorler on cheaper pumps as the controller will be doing more work depending on how they throttle the power.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yeah bit of a catch 22

[@naegwut]

Happy New Year

[@BlakesAquatics]

Happy new year!

[@rjv2395]

usually pumps come with a performance graph on the packaging somewhere that show head vs flow rate, maybe you could discuss this as these the most important parameters when looking at pump performance. pumps have a sweet spot of efficient operation that you can check in these charts that will help you pick the most efficient size for your work load. also, you mention AC being more powerful than DC, usually not the case. because AC has bi directional rotation - the impellers are usually flat fins with no efficiency design. DC pumps are mono direction rotation and usually the impeller is designed to maximize one way flow. this develop higher head and flow rate compared to AC pumps on equal wattage. not sure about AU manufactured pumps, but this is the case for most DC pumps made in CN. finally as you said, dc pumps can work with a pwm controller to vary the rpm. this works well for any dc pump and pwm's can be purchased separately and combined with the pump/controller/adapter to allow you to control even very small DC in tank powerheads.

[@JUICYRUSEY]

I have the aqua medic 2.3 and it’s great. Only problem is you can’t run it below 60% for prolonged periods of time or it can damage the pump.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Thanks for the info

[@JUICYRUSEY]

@@BlakesAquatics all good they don’t specifically say how long “prolonged use” actually is but I’d say it’s safe to use below 60% for maybe an hour at max. I have mine running between 62% and 72% most of them time as it’s on a 3ft tank.

[@Dtp2296]

How can dc be cheaper to run? You are wasting electricity in order to convert voltage

[@alita123csi]

Thanks mate!

[@BlakesAquatics]

You're welcome!

[@rowdywombatadventures8755]

I’m slowly changing my koi pond pumps to these. Biggest reason is they are safer to use outdoors being DC. If there is an electrical leak I won’t get electrocuted.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yes great point! 100%

[@Lana_Warwick]

Where's the love viewers? only 83 thumbs up from 940 views?

[@TheHighPriestessStudio]

I would be worried about fish getting sucked into it. Do you have a video that shows how these are set up? The only thing I use mine for is my pond to create a fountain and to drain.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Most of these pumps have a piece of sponge before the impeller to stop fish getting in

[@TheHighPriestessStudio]

good to know@@BlakesAquatics

[@bradsuarez2683]

200 dollars for a 5000 lph pump?? I'm guessing that's not in US dollars. I paid around 60 bucks for an 8000 lph AC pump about 8 years ago on amazon. Apart from turning it off once a week to do a water change it has been working non stop 8 years now.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yeah AUD, we have to pay a premium on most things because we are so far away from the rest of the world and we simply dont import the quantities to subsidize those costs