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This information sheet has been designed to help you make an informed choice. |
How To Choose An Aquarium Power Pump.
Aquarium Power Pumps are submersible, mains powered pumps that can be used for a number of applications. Whether classified as either Centrifugal Pumps or Power Heads they are essentially the same thing with Power Heads Usually packaged with accessories to be used when the pump unit is affixed to an Under Gravel Filter System. All power pumps consume very little power, in the region of 4 to 8 watts only, and their very stable design will mean years of trouble free use. The pump motor unit is totally enclosed in epoxy for safety and is designed for use completely submerged. In operation water is drawn into and expelled from the pump unit by a rapidly revolving rotor or impellor, a device with a magnetized cylindrical body terminating in a number of propeller like blades, which push the water before them as they rotate so producing a powerful water jet stream.
Uses For Aquarium Power Pumps.
Aquarium Power Pumps have a variety of uses:
Power Heads are often used to provide a high output, consistent flow rate for Under Gravel Filters in place of noisy air pumps. An Under Gravel Filter powered in this fashion will operate much more efficiently than an air powered one. Most Power Heads have a flow controller, flow diverter, attachments to fit the pump to an Under Gravel uplift tube and secure it also to the aquarium glass for stability and an aeration feature which draws air from the surface and mixes it with the water jet stream emanating from the pump.
A quick filter is a combination of a Power Head or other Centrifugal Pump fitted to a sponge or canister filter attachment. This provides additional internal filter capacity when this may be necessary for example when adding large amounts of additional livestock or to quickly replace other failed filtration equipment.
Power pumps can be used to provide additional water circulation in aquarium systems that will benefit from this. They are best used for this purpose in freshwater systems containing fish from fast flowing, oxygen rich habitats and in Marine systems. It is advisable to fit a sponge or filter cartridge to the pump intake so that small and delicate fish are not drawn into the pump mechanism.
Surge controllers are devices that can be programmed to operate one or more Power Pumps in bursts of output with a programmable delay in between. This Power Pump and controller combination are used almost exclusively in Marine Systems to replicate wave surge against the Reef.
The majority of Power Pumps have a cylindrical output nozzle, which can be fitted with flexible hose, most commonly of 12, or 10 mm bore. Through this hose, water can be fed from the aquarium to a range of additional or supplementary filtration devices. Ultra Violet Sterilisers and some Protein Skimmers can be fed in this way. It is recommended that a pre-filter sponge is fitted to the pump intake when used to power these and other devices.
Larger models of submersible centrifugal pumps power some types of Sump filtration systems. These big brothers of the aquarium Power Pump range are capable of delivering large amounts of water to heights exceeding 2 metres whilst still operating at a low running cost.
Maintaining Aquarium Power Pumps.
To ensure a long and trouble free life it is important to carry out regular maintenance on your aquarium Power Pump. Through a period of operation, algae and bacteria will build up on the impellor (Rotor) and inside the impellor chamber. If not removed this may cause over heating and excessive wear so reducing the life of the unit. It is recommended that the impellor be removed and cleaned at least every 3 months. Impellors can be accessed by carefully twisting off the impellor cover, which on most pumps is a single piece also including the output nozzle. Rinse under the tap to remove accumulated debris and both the impellor and the impellor chamber can be cleaned thoroughly with small brushes designed especially for the purpose. See also manufacturers instructions. Always turn off power supply before attempting any pump maintenance.
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