10 Best Aquarium Return Pump
Updated on: November 2023
Best Aquarium Return Pump in 2023
aquastation DC-4000 Silent Swirl Controllable DC Aquarium Pump 25W 1050GPH-marine wavemaker Return Pump with sine Wave Controller for Salt/Freshwater Coral Reef Fish Tank Sump Circulation (DC4000)
Current USA 6010 1900 GPH eFlux DC Flow Pump

- ADJUSTABLE FLOW- Unlike traditional AC water pumps, eFlux flow pumps are DC powered and completely controllable. Simply turn the dial to adjust the flow until the optimal flow rate is reached.
- SUBMERISBLE or EXTERNAL- Safe for saltwater or freshwater systems, eFlux DC flow pumps can be installed submersible or external (inline). Quick couple hose barb fittings are included to make installation and servicing easy.
- INCREDIBLY EASY- A cinch to install, eFlux Flow pumps have a very small footprint, allowing them to fit into even smaller sumps and tight spaces. High flow combined with high pressure makes them the perfect choice for return pump applications.
- ENERGY SAVER- eFlux controllable DC flow pumps efficiently produce strong water flow with high pressure. Featuring a sealed DC motor and magnetic drive design. 65% Energy saving from traditional pumps.
- 30 DAY GUARANTEE-We are so sure you’ll be happy with your purchase that we offer a “30-Day Money-Back Guarantee” to ensure customer satisfaction of our Current USA products. If for any reason you wish to discontinue using the products, we will promptly issue a refund.
Jebao DCT Marine Controllable Water Pump

- New enhanced range will replace the previous DC3000/DC6000/9000/12000/15000
- High performance motor with innovation electronics and energy saving up to 50% than previous models
- Power: 30-watt, Max flow: 1056GPH; Max-head: 9.8 ft
- Item Package Weight: 3.85
Hygger 1060GPH Quiet Submersible and External 24V Water Pump, with Controller (30%-100% Settings), Powerful Return Pump for Fish Tanks, Aquariums, Ponds, Fountains, Sump, Hydroponics (33W, 13.1ft)

- 🐠【Demension & Specifications】Powerful and ultra quiet water return pump. Input voltage: 100-240V 50/60HZ. Output voltage: DC 24V. Pump Dimension (LxWxH): 6.2 x 3.1 x 5 inch. Cord length from the pump to controller is 6ft, the power cord length is 6.6ft. Wattage/flow/head: 33W/1060GPH/13.1ft head. Please look the chart for each models
- 🐠【 Auto Shut Off When No Water】 Plug the power to turn this water pump on, unplug the power to turn it off. It is protected in case there's no water, the pump will auto shut off when no water is sensed or water gets too low. Comes with 2 kinds of removable water intake screens,1 for normal water level and the other for low water level (higher than 0.8inch)
- 🐠【Adjustable Flow Speed】This aquarium water pump has an external Led display controller, with 71 flow speed settings, you can control the flow rate from 30% to 100% of the top speed flow. 3 buttons on the controller: "Up" "Down" "Pause"
- 🐠【Internal & External Use】 Hygger dcp water pump can be ran externally or be submerged. Please note the controller is not waterproof, must be placed indoors. The pond pump comes with screws, o rings, pipe connection fittings. You can connect 1" or 3/4" pipes to this pond pump
- 🐠【Durable Water Pump】Wear-resistant ceramic shaft and magnetic drive makes this water pump a long service life. No copper element, can be used for fresh water or salt water
Jebao DCP Sine Wave Water Return Pump (DCP-5000)

- 2017 latest DCP return pump from Jebao, improved from the DCT model
- High performance motor with innovation electronics, and energy saving up to 50% than old model
- No Copper components , safety on your tank! Internal Use Only!
- Super Quiet Operation and Memory Function for Power Supply Off to recall memory
- Power: 40-watt 110-120V 60Hz, Max Flow: 1450gph, Max head: 13ft, Dimension: 7x4x5 inch
VIVOSUN 800GPH Submersible Pump(3000L/H, 24W), Ultra Quiet Water Pump with 10ft High Lift, Fountain Pump with 5ft Power Cord, 3 Nozzles for Fish Tank, Pond, Aquarium, Statuary, Hydroponics

- 【Specifications】Dimensions: 4.1*2.6*3.5inch. The 5ft long power cord offers convenient installation. An Adjustable Knob to control the water flow rate, so you can get just the amount of water pressure you want. Max Flow Rate: 800 GPH (3000L/H), Max Lift height: up to 10 Feet. Watt: 24W; Voltage:110-120V.
- 【Detachable & Cleanable】This profile size water pump is easy to hide or disguise.The device doesn't need any tools to disassemble it and is very easy to be cleaned.
- 【Optional Outlet Positions】Place the pump flat on its base, and you can get many positions. Manually rotate into the desired position.
- 【Wide Application】: High Performance Energy-efficient Pumps designed for use in Ponds, Fountains, Waterfalls, Hydroponic systems, Irrigation systems and water features.
- 【Warranty】: Super durable & reusable; Comes with 2-Year warranty; Any problems with the item you received, please contact us without hesitation.
Jebao New 80W 10000LPH DC Controllable Water Return Pump with Wave Function DCQ-10000(2650GPH)

- Jebao new 10000LPH(2650GPH) DC Controllable Water Return Pump with wave function;
- 80W Four-pole electronic motor,ultra silent operation,5.5meters(18feet) head max;
- LCD Power display and 30-100 stage speed flow control,with feed mode and wave function;
- Low voltage DC24V power supply, saftey protected against leakage;
- Fe2Q3 magnet rotor and wear-resistant anti-corrosion ceramic shaft,longer life and more efficient ,seal impeller;
KEDSUM 550GPH Submersible Pump(2500L/H, 40W), Ultra Quiet Water Pump with 5ft High Lift, Fountain Pump with 6.5ft Power Cord, 3 Nozzles for Fish Tank, Pond, Aquarium, Statuary, Hydroponics

- 【Specifications】Max Flow Rate: 550 GPH(2500L/H), Max Lift height: up to 5 Feet. The 6.5ft long power cord offers convenient installation.
- 【Ultra Quiet】This Submersible water pump is designed for reliability and ultra-quiet operation to provide years of service,energy-saving and low power consumption.(Power: 40 W,Voltage: 110V)
- 【Perfect size】This profile size aquarium pump is great to hide or disguise (Dimensions:3.75"(H)*4.7"(L)*2.75"(W)). Come with 4 strong suction cups at the bottom of the pump, easy to mount it onto the glass surface either vertically or horizontally.
- 【3 Outlet Adapters】Equipped with 3 Outlet Adapters ,one is 0.51inch, one is 0.75inch,and the other one is 0.87inch, providing different water flow effects. This submersible pump is ideal for fresh-water, salt-water, can be applied in aquarium, fountains, spout, hydroponic and pond.
- 【Detachable and Cleanable】No need any tools to detach it, easy to seperate, easy to clean. KEDSUM provide 1 year manufactured warranty for all submersible water pump. Any question of the pump, pls send email us at [email protected]
Uniclife DEP-4000 Controllable DC Water Pump 1052 GPH with Controller for Marine Freshwater Aquarium Pond Circulation

- Reliable Pump: NO PCB in pump makes it more stable and long-lived than DCT series. High performance of 3 phases 6 poles motor and Wear-resistant Ceramic Shaft.
- Smart Controller: 99 Adjustable Speed & 10 min pause feed mode; memory function can keep the same setting after every restart.
- Multiple-Safe Protection: IC chip control, LACK OF WATER protection, STUCK protection and True Soft Startup
- Submersible&external: Suitable for amphibious use, can operate in Marine and Fresh Water. Make sure to POUR WATER into the pump before EXTERNAL USE.
- Safe low voltage: DC 24 V, Power: 35 W, Max flow: 1052 GPH, Max-head: 11.5 ft.
Hygger 24V DC Water Return Pump with Controller, Powerful Quiet Inline Submersible Water Circulation Pump for Saltwater Aquarium, Sump Tank, Pond, Waterfall 1060GPH

- DC Powered Controllable Water Pump — DC motor with magnetic drive and ceramic shaft design, extremely powerful, energy saving yet very quiet, this dc pump only uses 24 volts power saving 65% energy over traditional pump, safe & low consumption
- Easy to Read External Controller — Build in external controller, easy to operate, offers up to 71 speed setting for you to customize water flow and feeding setting ( turn the pump off for 10 minutes for feeding). Easy to read red Led display
- Inline or Submersible — This Versatile Water Pump can be used either submersible or in-line in Freshwater or Saltwater. Ideal for sump tank, freshwater and saltwater aquariums, ponds, waterfalls, fountains and water features
- Auto Shut Off — Water Pump will automatically power off for 2 minutes when detects no water or over voltage. Enables memory function. Comes with two types intake screens, it will handle debris up to 2/3 inch, preventing clogging and reducing maintenance
- Flow Rate 1060 GPH ; Max Lift: 13.1', 33 Watts, output voltage 24V DC, input voltage 100-240V. Comes with 2 pcs screws (1-1/8", 1-3/8"), 2 pcs o rings and 4 pcs pipe connection fittings (3/4", 1" OD). (PS: hose is not included)
Using Kalkwasser to Raise Calcium in the Reef Aquarium
Dripping kalkwasser adds/replenishes calcium that is needed by reef aquarium inhabitants. It encourages the growth of pink and purple coralline algae and helps to keep the pH constant.
We need to be cautious while working with any calcium compound because they are caustic. Do not let the powder contact your skin, do not inhale it, and always keep it out of children's reach!
A Kalkwasser solution used to raise calcium in the reef aquarium can be made by using RO/DI or distilled water and adding calcium hydroxide (Ca(HO)2). You can find calcium hydroxide in powder form at most hardware stores or garden nurseries, just be sure the compound you find does not contain any Phosphates!
Preparing and mixing the kalkwasser solution isn't all that difficult, once mixed you need to cap it so no carbon dioxide can enter the container. If carbon dioxide is allowed to enter the mix, it causes calcium carbonate to form on the bottom as an un-dissolved white slurry or sludge. Do not use this sludge and never allow it to enter your aquarium. It is recommended you remove the settled calcium carbonate from the container before each new use. Each time you open the container the kalkwasser mix gets exposed to more carbon dioxide, and more calcium is lost adding more calcium carbonate slurry to settle on the bottom.
Mixing kalkwasser to raise calcium for reef aquariums can be accomplished by using this guideline: one teaspoon up to one tablespoon of kalkwasser per one gallon of RO/DI or distilled water. Mix it so that all the powder is in suspension then cap the container. It's a good idea to drip the kalkwasser mix slowly to the reef aquarium at night so the pH doesn't rise to high. Kalkwasser itself has a high pH of 12 and higher, so be careful when dosing this mix and always test your water parameters before and after dripping any additives. Drip the kalkwasser within a day of mixing, it will slowly lose it's effectiveness as the days go on. I mix up a 5 gallon jug worth and drip my kalkwasser over a 2 day period then I rinse out the jug and mix up a new batch.
Setting the proper drip rate depends on your reef aquarium setup and the total water volume your aquarium has. For my small aquariums 30-50 gallons, about one drip per second is sufficient and should not cause any sudden fluctuations in your reefs pH. For larger tanks kalkwasser can be dripped at a faster rate as long as you monitor the pH.
There are some articles on the web that describe how you can make your own kalkwasser drip container out of water bottles, milk jugs, glass jugs, etc... All you need are a few inexpensive items like the following:
· Air line tubing
· Water bottle or jug with an air tight lid
· Rigid air line tubing
· Airline valve kit for adjusting your drip rate
Some benefits of dripping Kalkwasser to raise calcium in the reef aquarium: