AQUANEAT 80 GPH Mini Submersible Pump

The AQUANEAT Small Fountain Pump is a tiny submersible pump that measures about 2 by 1.75 by 1.25 inches. It’s rated up to 80 gallons per hour and comes with 3.3 feet of tubing. In an aquarium, it can run a DIY filter, move water in a nano tank or power a small waterfall feature. It also gets used for pet fountains, tabletop fountains and hydroponics.

Read the flow numbers carefully

That 80 GPH figure is the flow at zero lift, with no tubing. As soon as the pump pushes water upward, flow drops. AQUANEAT gives these figures:

• 80 GPH at 0 ft
• 40 GPH at 1 ft
• 25 GPH at 1.5 ft
• Nearly nothing at 2 ft

So it works best when it lifts water a foot or less. Plan your setup around that.

Adjustable and quiet

A flow control valve lets you dial it down from the maximum. AQUANEAT describes the motor as smooth and steady, which suits a desk tank or a bedroom.

Cleaning

It comes apart without tools. Pop off the front cover and rinse the impeller and intake every few weeks, or whenever flow drops. Small pumps clog easily with plant bits and hair.

Safety

Keep it fully underwater while running, and don’t let it run dry. Use a drip loop on the cord.

Who should look elsewhere

It’s not a filter on its own. For complete filtration in a nano, a ready-made unit like the NICREW slim HOB filter is simpler. For circulation in a reef, a powerhead such as the Hydor Koralia Nano fits better.