Small Return Pump Suggestions

[BenB]

Don't count on a build thread anytime soon, but I'm kinda getting the itch to get a tank back going.

Based on a suggestion from a friend I will be pre-mixing water in a 5 gal bucket. I'll need a small pump to get it from the bucket up into the tank. Any suggestions?

 

[Art]

Hi Ben -

For something that small, I would use one of the Maxi-Jet's that are now reliable and relatively cheap. They also have a mechanism for aeration that will also help with the water.

Don't buy one of the smaller ones. You want enough power to properly mix the powders.

 

[DTWGulo]

I use Newa pumps for buckets. (Used to be MJ pumps.). They're reliable and come in a variety of sizes. Some of mine have lasted 5 years.
I bought a couple of Hygger pumps to move water from my RO barrels (a 50gal food barrel and a 35 gal garbage can). They're the vertical ones with the intake vents on the bottom so they work in a small amount of water. I love those for water changes. I have a super long flexible PVC hose I got from a pond supply business with a PVC bit I made myself at the end to hang it on the tank. There's a ball valve to stop flow. However, I also have the pump plugged into a WiFi smart plug so I can turn it on/off with my phone. Perfect fill every time.