Heat from return pump

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

BensBurms

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 9, 2025
5
1
3
40
Georgia, USA
I read that return pumps transfer their thermal output to the water flowing through (and around) them, and since they’re on 24/7 there’s a cumulative heating effect. Do they actually generate enough heat to be meaningful? For instance, if my room is 75+ degrees, could the heat from the return be relied on as a primary heat source instead of a heater to maintain 78 degree water temp?
 
Theoretically yes but likely not. There’s just too many variables to consider. Whether your tank is open or closed top, has a sump, room temp, water volume, pump size/model, etc.

The extra heat from equipment typically only comes into the equation when you have a reef tank that’s running several wavemakers, large return pump/s, skimmer pump, along with high powered lighting that’s running half the day, etc. A single return pump in freshwater is likely to have a negligible effect
 
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