Circulation Pump vs Powerhead

woody189

Member
I'm specifically looking at Maxi-Jets.
I'm confused as to what the difference is. I thought a circulation pump is basically a return pump (like from sump to DT). and I thought a powerhead just blows water around within the tank.
But on the another website (Docs), there's a picture of the pump in Circulation mode and it basically looks like a Koralia. Is that the difference? Circulation has less restriction and blows a wider area and a PH is more centralized? I'm confused. I tried googling but get different answers.
And what's a wavemaker compared to all these?
Gracias
 

mr. limpid

Active Member
The pumps are the same only difference is that power heads are smaller in power and are not designed to hook a hose up to, not saying it cant be done just more difficult. Wave maker is a timer to turn on off pumps and the pump that go with them are designed to go on and off with out burning out.
 

sweatervest13

Active Member
The new maxi-jets are designed to be used for either or.
For example. I bought a BRS dual reactor. They suggest powering it using a maxi-jet 1200. I bought one (think of maxi-jet like being a general name, there are different brands of max-jets, same thing with Mag pumps) to use and it has lots of different attachments. One of the included attachment would make it into a Koralia style PH. There was an airline attachment that could power a skimmer.
The box on the new MJ 1200 i bought stated a Gallons per hour rate for just the pump (like a return pump) for like 395gph. BUT with the propeller attachment and guard made to look like a koralia it was like 1100gph. The propeller moves a lot more water giving you a higher gph rating. make sense??
 

woody189

Member
thanks for clearing that up. Great explanation sweat. I think I'm gonna get the MJ. It's so cheap and multifunctional.
I was confused, because on the other website it showed it in circulation mode and it had the Koralia-looking attactchment so that threw me off.
I appreciate it
 
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