Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got an 18" cube aquarium and am planning on turning it into a false bottom. I'm going to be installing a waterfall and I wondered what the best type of pump is. I need it to be able to pump water close to the height of the tank. Thanks in advance.

I'm sorry we're all so slow responding. I personally like the Rio 600 pumps, as they are fairly powerful, (enough to pump to a height of about 3 feet if necessary through a 5/8" tube but still small enough to pump in only about 3 inches of water or even less. Be sure to order extra impellors, as these do seem to break or go out on these pumps relatively frequently in my experience, and keep the pump in a place that's easily accessible, since you will no doubt have to occasionally wipe off debris from the vents or remove it entirely for cleaning off water deposits. The Maxi jets are nice, but need some re-vamping or re-situating in order to pump at the low water levels we normally have in a shallow false bottom.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
6 P. terribilis mint and organe
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
2 P. lugubris

Thank you. I just recently purchased a Rio 600. Do you have to order the impellors directly from Rio or can you buy them online or in pet stores? Thanks again.

I've always ordered the impellors directly on line from the Rio suppliers--I think I've usually used "Greystone," but always have to do a new search for Rio pumps every time I re-order because I can never remember the exact site URL. Once in awhile they are out of stock for impellors, so with the amount of tanks I have, I keep some extra pumps and impellors on hand. I've never looked for them in a pet store, since I'm in a remote location and do most of this kind of shopping on line. For me, the shipping costs are less than a 150 mile drive to the nearest pet store, especially since I always order several things at one time. But for you, if you're close to a PetCo or PetSmart, you might ask them to order for you if they don't have them on hand.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
6 P. terribilis mint and organe
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
2 P. lugubris