Types of Aquarium Pumps

Aquarium pumps are water devices that are installed to maintain the overall health of an aquarium and all its inhabitants. Their main function is to provide water oxygenation and circulation. The pump is typically a small device that can be hooked onto the outside portion of the aquarium or submerged underwater.

  1. Air Pump

    • Fish need a steady oxygen supply to survive along with tank water that is the right pH level. Air pumps function to inject tiny air bubbles into the aquarium. This provides fish with oxygen that is vital for their survival. If you have an air pump, you do not need to replace tank water as often and you do not have to spend much on costly pH boosters.

      Air pumps are also important for running some types of protein skimmers, which function to eliminate gunk from the water, and for running ozonizers, which purify the tank water from bacteria and viruses that are potentially harmful to the fish.

    Exeternal Motor Pump

    • An external motor pump makes use of an motor that pulls water from the aquarium. It pumps the tank water and directs it out of the aquarium's outlet. This is the most preferred type of aquarium pump and the most powerful type as well.

      External pumps function to move the air with the use of a hose that is attached to the pump. This pump is dropped into the tank water. An external pump also works as a return pump that is used to feed filter water directly to the aquarium. It is also used to drive in other aquarium tools such as sterilizers, protein skimmers, canister filters and other specialty filters. All these tools form a system that ensures proper and smooth aquarium functioning.

    Internal Pump

    • An internal aquarium pump is also referred to as a submersible aquarium pump. It works by being completely submerged inside an aquarium. Its functions are opposite that of an external pump. It works by creating a current or movement in the tank water. As opposed to external pumps, internal pumps do not have pipes and hoses attached to them. They work to feed reactors and protein skimmers. Their main function is to create tank water movement inside the aquarium.