ok one more quick question, i really dont know much about pumps/powerheads. I found a water fountain pump online at lowes that runs 130 gph which is still more than i need, it has a magnetic pump, which i think is good? It has a max head of 4ft, which is about what i need. its like 5 bucks more than the powerhead. would it be significantly better than converting a powerhead to a pump even thought the powerhead has 50 more gph? i'm more concerned about the head height than the gph
Power head as a sump pump?
- Thread starter carsona246
- Start date
Seems that all of your questions have been answered since i got back on!
Good luck Sir! Hope your DIY sump works for ya!
I just made my sump tonight and installed the inlet to the Fx5 as my return pump for now. Till i can get a Sump pump this will do.
Good luck Sir! Hope your DIY sump works for ya!
I just made my sump tonight and installed the inlet to the Fx5 as my return pump for now. Till i can get a Sump pump this will do.
If the 130gph yields a head of 4ft, then a 180gph is going to yield more. The 180gph pumps more gallons per hour because it is more powerful. Honestly the difference between a fountain style pump and a powerhead is basic the shape. They both suck water in and push water out. I would say the real difference is powerheads generally have the ability to suck in air as well as water for aeriation. That is pretty much it. If I was you I would go with the powerhead simple because its cheaper. If you know the 130gph will meet your needs then you know the 180gph will also. It really boils down to cost. Since the 180gph powerhead is cheaper, I'd go that route. The 5 bucks you save can go towards tubing/hose.
awesome, thanks for walking me through this, all i have to do now is get all the materials and set it up!
Let me know if it works for you, I posted this up a few months back and everyone said powerheads are good for about 2ft of head and that id need a submersible pump. But as they said walmart would return it if it doesnt work for you, also as one person stated, fountain pumps would work and they're all over ebay for cheap.
I've tried to use a couple of different brands of powerheads to lift water an they all failed to the job for me... I've not tried the Maxijets, but per previously mentioned experience it seems the 1200 may work for you...
It is not safe to assume that something with a higher gph at zero head will have a higher gph under head pressure. Two critical factors that determine how well a pump/powerhead functions under head pressure are the size of the magnet and the shape/size of the impellors.
A powerhead and a water pump use the same type of motor. One of the reasons powerheads are typically cheaper is they use smaller magnets and weaker impeller designs.
A lot of people are quick to give advice based on nothing more than an assumption.
It is not safe to assume that something with a higher gph at zero head will have a higher gph under head pressure. Two critical factors that determine how well a pump/powerhead functions under head pressure are the size of the magnet and the shape/size of the impellors.
A powerhead and a water pump use the same type of motor. One of the reasons powerheads are typically cheaper is they use smaller magnets and weaker impeller designs.
A lot of people are quick to give advice based on nothing more than an assumption.
so would you think the fountain pump would be the route to go? its head should be just enough for what i need.
Hmmm I am wondering why mine is able to do so effectively.... It puts out an easy 180 gph actual flow at that head height. Much much more than the eheim 2215 that was once hooked to that spraybar. This is a 10 + year old maxi jet 1200 rated at 300 gph. I dont own any of the newer models my new power heads are all aqua clear brand. So I don't know what direction maxi jet has gone since then.
