Pump/powerhead

[bortsamson]

I am having trouble finding a pump that can do 275+ GPH. Most of the ones I can find around my area, LFS store wise anyways, are all rated for 700 and higher, I dont need that much flow.
SO! My question is, I know that the powerheads rated for 75 gallon tanks flow 275GPG, so, would one of those babies be strong enough to pump against aboot 4-4.5 feet of gravity before exiting into the tank?

PS. Its for my sump setup I am making
Also, I havent taken a look at Home Depot or various other non-fish related places for pumps, they may have my solution, but, would the powerhead work?

 

[BK]

at 4-5 feet head the flow of a powerhead decreases dramaticaly, some cheaper powerheads won't pump at all over 2-3 ft head.

 

[williamrandel]

Have you looked a Mag 3 or a Mag 5? Both are rated close to the flow that you are looking for when used with 4 - 5 ft of head. The Mag 3 @ 4' head will flow 270 GPH and a Mag 5 will flow 310 GPH a 4' head. Just a thought. HTH

 

[RTR]

I've used Aquaclear 402 and 802 powerheads as sump returns - they are among the few that do not get noisy working against a head, but I have not used used them as high as you plan. They do specify flow at various heads. I would not consider any pump which did not. But your plumbing will also affect the flow. That lift I would go Mag-drive as already mentioned or Eheim hobby- I have had good results for long periods with either/both.

 

[williamrandel]

I have used Mag's for years. I currentley use a mag 950 for a return pump, a mag 7 on a closed loop, and a mag 5 on a closed loop. They all perform very well and give ample flow with a reaonalbe amount of head pressure. I have also used Eheim, Dolphin sumbmersibles, Capp, and ViaAqua pumps with good results.

 

[bortsamson]

I found some mag-drive pumps at Rona. For ponds and such. Seeing as the diagram on the box shows where to place the pump for spraying outside the water and such, I figure they are rated against gravity rather then in some sort of controlled environment. And its just a little more expensive compared to the equivilent power head, thanks all