Submersible aquarium pumps: what are and how to choose?

If you have an aquarium with fish at home, then you probably know that additional devices are needed to keep these small, beautiful creatures. One of these devices is the pump.

The aquarium pump is a 2-in-1 device that combines the functions of a filter and a compressor. Among the advantages of a submersible pump are:

• silent operation;
• combination of several functions - saturation of water with oxygen, filtration, creation of intra-aquarium flows;
• small dimensions;
• attractive appearance.

The disadvantages include:

• quite tangible cost of quality models;
• the complexity of self-repair.

Based on the design, there are three types of aquarium pumps:

• internal (located in the aquarium in the water column);
• external (fixed on the outer wall of the tank);
• universal (the most common type of equipment).

You can also subdivide all devices into freshwater and marine.

Almost all models are designed for a voltage of 12 volts.

The installation process of the submersible pump is quite simple and described in detail in the operating instructions, which should be included in the package. The main safety requirement: connection to the electric network should be carried out only after the complete installation of the device! In no case do not violate this order.

Internal vacuum pumping devices are installed in the water column, the immersion depth is determined by the user.

The most convenient are universal models, since you can install them in a place convenient for you - both inside the water tank and outside. The devices do not require special care, the main thing is to regularly rinse and if necessary replace the filter elements. To make the device less dirty, use a little trick: turn off the device while feeding fish.

When choosing a suitable model, it is necessary to take into account many factors, the main of which are:

• volume of the aquarium;
• the main purpose of the device;
• bandwidth.

The required power of the device depends on the size of the tank: for small aquariums, a low-power pump is enough, but for large ones, the device power must be appropriate, otherwise you will have to buy and install several pumps.

For example, if you plan to use a pump to collect and discharge water, pay attention to an indicator such as the height of the liquid. This factor varies in different models from 3-5 cm to several meters. This factor is also important if you want to create a waterfall or brook in your aquarium. The unit of measure for pump capacity is 1 l / h.

Productivity of equipment should be several times higher than the volume of your tank. Next, check with the seller for what water the device is intended for - fresh or sea.

Another important point is the presence of additional details or functions: for example, a protective grill that protects the inhabitants of the tank from getting inside the device, as well as the ability to control the intensity of the circulating fluid flow.

The most popular brands of pumps for aquariums:

• Eheim;
• Aquael
• Aquarium;
• Hailea.

Each of these manufacturers has many models for different types of tanks. Eheim and Aquarium produce high-quality and aesthetic products, but their cost is quite high. If your finances do not allow you to purchase models of these firms, pay attention to the pumps of other firms. The market has a fairly large selection of these devices - both imported and domestic. If you wish, it is quite possible to choose a device according to your capabilities without much loss in quality.

About what an aquarium pump is, see below.