| Water circulation is essential in any aquarium, to | | | | Usually, the filter manufacturer will specify the |
| ensure proper filtration, prevent the formation of | | | | minimum flow rate needed for the water pump. The |
| anoxic or low-temperature regions, and deliver | | | | selected pump should exceed the minimum flow rate, |
| nutrients to stationary organisms. Power heads and | | | | but be comparable to it |
| aerators often provide sufficient circulation for a | | | | 2) Durability. A water pump is one of the few |
| basic aquarium. In a planted aquarium, however, the | | | | devices with moving parts in an aquarium, and |
| water surface should be left undisturbed as much as | | | | therefore subject to wear and tear. Some pumps |
| possible to prevent loss of precious carbon dioxide | | | | (e.g. magnetic drive) are designed without internal |
| and such devices should not be used. | | | | seals that can become corroded. This is more |
| Water pumps provide the necessary circulation both | | | | important for saltwater tanks, but well worth |
| within the tank and through the filtration system, | | | | considering for a planted aquarium. |
| without unnecessary gas exchange. In a typical | | | | 3) Heat generation. The electric motor generates |
| planted aquarium, water flows passively to the pump | | | | heat that is transmitted to the water. Too much |
| from a submerged intake where it is then propelled | | | | heat may contribute to wear and tear and is |
| through the filter(s), and returned to the tank | | | | undesirable when you need to keep water |
| through an outlet below the water surface. The | | | | temperature below a certain level. |
| function of a water pump in a planted aquarium is | | | | 4) Power consumption. A pump operates |
| exactly the same as that of the heart in the human | | | | continuously and along with lights it is one of the main |
| body: pumping water rather than blood through a | | | | contributors to the energy costs of a planted |
| filter instead of the kidneys and liver. This analogy | | | | aquarium. Prefer pumps with lower energy demands |
| underscores the critical importance of the water | | | | to keep costs down. |
| pump in sustaining the health of a planted aquarium. | | | | 5) Noise level. Unless the pump will operate fully |
| Not surprisingly, there are several types of aquarium | | | | immersed, noise from the water pump is not to be |
| water pumps to choose from, suitable for different | | | | underestimated as a factor in the enjoyment of your |
| types of tanks and budgets (see our selection at | | | | planted aquarium. You can often find information on |
| Julie's Pet Market). While perhaps not a glamorous | | | | noise levels on the manufacturer's web site. |
| part of setting up a planted aquarium, the selection | | | | In general, you should select the best quality pump |
| of a water pump is one of the most crucial tasks to | | | | you can afford. There are fewer sources of |
| ensure a successful experience. Several criteria should | | | | headaches in an aquarium worse than a poor pump: |
| be considered. | | | | noise, overheating, and leakages occurring at the |
| 1) Flow rate. Water pump flows are rated in gallons | | | | least convenient time can send you scrambling for a |
| per hour (gph) under free-flow conditions. For | | | | replacement. Having to replace a faulty pump - even |
| example, a 100 gph pump will circulate all the water in | | | | with another poor one - after just a few months of |
| a 50 gallon tank twice in an hour. The presence of a | | | | operation makes this choice a false economy. The |
| filter (and its condition) will reduce actual flow. It is | | | | selection of water pumps offered at Julie's Pet |
| important to pick a pump with sufficient flow to | | | | Market includes only quality products to avoid you |
| ensure proper filtration. Conversely, an excessive | | | | such problems. |
| water flow will turn your tank into a chaotic whirlpool. | | | | |