Circulation Pump vs Powerhead

[woody189]

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]

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]

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]

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