Self-priming external pump

I'm looking for a new external, self-priming pump, to move water around from buckets, barrels, tanks etc... Don't need anything special, should be able to handle 4' of head-pressure, anything over 200gph would be fine. What do you all recommend?

 

There really isn't anything affordable in the aquarium hobby like that. Self priming pumps have very tight tolerances, expensive to manufacture and are power hogs compared to flooded suction pumps with different impeller and volute designs. The only common self primers in our hobby are peristaltic pumps which are low GPH units.

 

Thanks, I had thought there were some, but couldn't find any under about $300, which was a little steep. So, I posted... and so, that makes sense...

I did find some though, such as this:
Little Giant 555103 360S Pony Pump Transfer Pump 1/10Hp 360GPH 6' Cord 115V - Amazon.com

The only issue is, it isn't really intended for reef aquarium use, so, I am not sure if the internals are really "reef safe", but it does sound like what I want otherwise...

 

For intermittent use it may be OK but most stainless steel will eventually rust in saltwater. Also notice it is not designed for continous use, 15 minutes on and 45 minutes off so only 25% duty cycle. I use a similar pump for my beer homebrewing but wouldn't use it for my reef.

 

The duty cycle isn't an issue, I think that is more than sufficient for my needs. I'm mostly just transferring RO/DI and freshly mixed saltwater to and from containers. I think it said the housing was stainlesssteel, I don't think it was referring to the internals, unless I misunderstood. Stainless might be okay for limited use, such as this. However, maybe I will just go with a submersible pump. Moving a submersible pump in and out of containers of water can be messy and drip a lot. I thought just moving a hose around might be a bit cleaner...

 

Maybe not what you need, but I've been using a sump pump style pond pump from Home Depot for about four years without issue. At the time it was around $100 for 3,000 gph.

 

The entire pump end is cast machined stainless steel so the wetted parts are too.
For intermittent use its probably OK as long as you rinse with fresh water after use and blow it out or allow it to dry well. It will eventually start to rust from the saltwater I'm sure as it will be a lower grade stainless but who knows when or how bad?

 

I was looking at a Dr Fosters & Smith catalog last night and they had a LifeGuard self-priming pump for under $300. I can't speak to the quality, but FYI.

matt

 

That's definitely an idea if I can find one I am sure the internals would not corrode or leach anything.

Yeah, I see that, $269.99