A sump pump plays a crucial role in the circulation of an aquarium, especially large ones. The sump pump should be strong enough to push the water back up into the aquarium so that your aquarium can run smoothly. If you have an aquarium that runs from a sump as the main form of filtration, then investing in a good sump pump will help make running your aquarium far easier.
There are many different brands and varieties of sump pumps that come in different size options with different power adjustments. We have researched and reviewed some of the best aquarium sump pumps available on the market to help you make an informed choice on which sump pump might be beneficial to your aquarium.
A Quick Look at Our Top Picks in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Jebao Mini Submersible Pump
Energy saving
Control dial for flow adjustment
Can be fully submersed
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Best Value
Eheim Compact Aquarium Pump
Quiet operation
Has an adjustable flow rate
Low power consumption
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Premium Choice
Aqueon Quietflow Aquarium Pump
Quiet
Low maintenance design
Durable
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Freesea Submersible Water Pump
High-lift output
Energy-saving
Ideal for large aquariums
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Jerepet Controlled Aquarium Water Pump
Has 6 different flow settings
Auto shut-off abilities
Ultra-quiet operation
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The 6 Best Aquarium Sump Pumps
The best overall product is the Jebao submersible sump pump because it is affordable, has a built-in control dial, and can easily be submerged while being small enough to not stand out. This is an energy-efficient sump pump that comes with a 12V AC VL transformer, and it also includes a plug and connectors for an easy installation process.
Dimensions: 9 × 1.7 × 1.1 inches
Material: Plastic
Power: 66GPH
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The built-in control dial allows you to adjust the flow and strength of the flow of the pump to suit your aquarium’s needs. It comes fully functional with all the necessary power cords so it can be used right away.
Pros
Energy saving
Control dial for flow adjustment
Can be fully submersed
Cons
Low flow output
The best value for money sump pump is the Eheim aquarium pump because it is made from high-quality materials and is highly affordable. This versatile pump can be used in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. It has a slick and compact design while having a strong water output. It features an adjustable flow rate and has a low power consumption, while also being almost entirely noise-free.
Energy saving
Control dial for flow adjustment
Can be fully submersed
- Energy saving
- Control dial for flow adjustment
- Can be fully submersed
Low flow output
- Low flow output
Dimensions: 4 × 5 × 4 inches
Material: Plastic
Power: 45 GPH
The strong suction cups allow you to easily and securely place this pump into an aquarium. The compact design aims to be discrete and ensure that this pump does not take up too much space.
Pros
Quiet operation
Has an adjustable flow rate
Low power consumption
Cons
Only works with the brand’s specific tubing
Our premium choice is the Aqueon pump because it is quiet, efficient, and ideal for both freshwater and marine aquariums. This is a fully submersible and quiet pump that is versatile and relatively low maintenance. It offers powerful water filtration and has a durable design with a secure faceplate to ensure that this pump is durable enough to last. It has an adjustable flow rate so you can control the output pressure of this pump and it can be secured using the heavy-duty suction cups. This sump pump also includes a grounded power cord for added safety along with a tubing adaptor.
Quiet operation
Has an adjustable flow rate
Low power consumption
- Quiet operation
- Has an adjustable flow rate
- Low power consumption
Only works with the brand’s specific tubing
- Only works with the brand’s specific tubing
Pros
Quiet
Low maintenance design
Durable
Cons
Strong flow valve
- Freesea Submersible Water Pump
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Dimensions: 1 × 4.7 × 3.7 inches
Material: Plastic
Power: 660 GPH
This is a powerful sump pump that is ideal for very large aquariums. It has a special function that automatically turns the pump off when it runs dry to help reduce damage. It has a bottom suction so it can easily be submerged in a sump and has a strong power flow and high lift. The motor runs on 40W and it is considered energy-saving for the amount of power this pump produces when running in an aquarium.
Quiet
Low maintenance design
Durable
- Quiet
- Low maintenance design
- Durable
Strong flow valve
- Strong flow valve
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Dimensions: 1 × 4.7 × 3.7 inches
Material: Plastic
Power: 660 GPH
This pump includes the necessary nozzles and tubing required for it to be set up and run properly so you do not have to worry about buying these items separately.
Pros
High-lift output
Energy-saving
Ideal for large aquariums
Cons
Short installation cord
High-lift output
Energy-saving
Ideal for large aquariums
- High-lift output
- Energy-saving
- Ideal for large aquariums
Short installation cord
- Short installation cord
It covers everything from water conditioners to tank maintenance, and it also gives you full, hard copy access to their essential fishkeeping medicine cabinet!
- Jerepet Controlled Aquarium Water Pump
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Dimensions: 5 × 3.5 × 4.8 inches
Material: Plastic
Power: 1250 GPH
This DC-controllable water pump from Jerepet has 6 different adjustable output flow options. It features an ultra-quiet operation system and has auto shut-off when the pump is either blocked with dirt or running dry. It can be used in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums and also as either an external or inline submersible pump. It has a very powerful flow rate which makes it ideal for large volumes of water in big aquariums.
Dimensions: 5 × 3.5 × 4.8 inches
Material: Plastic
Power: 1250 GPH
This pump is quite durable and efficient and provides water circulation through the sump and back into the aquarium.
Pros
Has 6 different flow settings
Auto shut-off abilities
Ultra-quiet operation
Cons
Difficult to take apart and clean
- Hygger DC Water Pump
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Dimensions: 1.9 x 1.9 x 1.6 inches
Material: Plastic
Power: 2650 GPH
This powerful submersible water pump from Hygger can be used in marine or freshwater aquariums. It has a magnetic-controlled DC motor with a high-quality ceramic shaft. The pump itself is energy-saving and very quiet with a low consumption rate. It has several different speed settings so that you can adjust the flow according to the size of the aquarium, although it is too powerful for small aquariums. This versatile pump can either be submersed or used as an inline pump for a sump tank.
Has 6 different flow settings
Auto shut-off abilities
Ultra-quiet operation
- Has 6 different flow settings
- Auto shut-off abilities
- Ultra-quiet operation
Difficult to take apart and clean
- Difficult to take apart and clean
Dimensions: 1.9 x 1.9 x 1.6 inches
Material: Plastic
Power: 2650 GPH
It also includes two types of intake screens which help to prevent large debris from clogging this pump.
Pros
Made of high-quality materials
Includes intake screens
Auto shut-off
Cons
Pricey
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Aquarium Sump Pumps
What Is An Aquarium Sump Pump Used For?
Sump pumps help to keep the water in your aquarium flowing and moving which in return helps to keep the aquariums water clean. Sump pumps are located at the bottom of a sump and help to pump the water back into the aquarium and are also responsible for the water drainage. With the help of a sump pump, water that is taken into the sump will then be pumped back into the aquarium’s water column helping to increase surface movement and aeration.
Made of high-quality materials
Includes intake screens
Auto shut-off
- Made of high-quality materials
- Includes intake screens
- Auto shut-off
Pricey
- Pricey
What To Look For When Purchasing A Sump Pump
Size
The size of the sump pump you choose will primarily depend on the size of the sump’s return compartment. An external inline pump size will depend on the amount of storage space that is available inside of the sumps tank. Small aquariums will need a much smaller sump pump with a low GPH, whereas a pond will need a sump pump that can produce a much larger output to properly circulate the water.
Durability
Most sump pump brands are both reliable and affordable, and the quality of the product will determine how durable it is. If you are using an outdoor sump pump, then you want to choose one that has been manufactured to withstand the outdoors and weather elements. Some sump pumps are made from high-quality materials that make them more resistant to wear and tear than others. Customer reviews will help to give you a good indication as to how durable the pump has been according to many verified buyers’ experiences.
Maintenance
The majority of sump pumps will need to be cleaned at least once a month to keep them free from dirt, debris, and algae build-ups. You want to choose an aquarium sump that will not be too difficult for you to take apart and clean properly. The impeller shaft and pump cavity are the main areas that usually gather unwanted gunk that can slow the pump’s output, so ensure that you choose one that is easy to put back together once it has been taken apart and rinsed under clean water.
Power
Sump pumps have a very strong output (GPH) used to push water out. This makes some sump pumps way too strong for certain sizes of aquariums. You want to ensure that the pump is strong enough to provide the aquarium with adequate circulation and water flow, without being too strong that it pushes the substrate and plants around or stressed out the aquarium’s livestock inhabitants. Most sump pump manufacturers will include the minimum and maximum recommended volume of water that the specific pump is suitable for.
Conclusion
Of all the different sump pump models we reviewed in this article, two are standout choices. The first is the small and affordable Jebao submersible pump because it works well in small aquariums and it is energy efficient. Our second favorite is the Aqueon Quietflow pump because it is an efficient and durable pump that is quiet and features a low energy consumption design.
Featured Image Credit: Huy Phan, Unsplash
