Equipment of the Week - Maxijet Premium Utility Pump

In 2009, Marineland released a new version of their famous Maxijet pump. The Maxijet Premium Utility Pump doesn't resemble its predecessor, as it is meant to be used as a return pump. There are seven models available, ranging from 106-gallons per hour (gph) to 1385gph.




This pump can be used internally or externally, meaning it can be submerged in the sump or plumbed via bulkhead to the pump. Few pumps have that feature, which makes this choice a flexible one for future needs. Using the included fittings, they can be screwed into the pumps threaded fittings, and flexible tubing can be used to deliver the water back to the display tank. The included fittings allow for two different tubing sizes. The Model 5500 can use 3/4" or 1" tubing on the barb connection. Note: The owner may want to use a cutting tool to trim off the 3/4" barb if they plan to use the 1" barb section, to avoid unnecessary restriction which results in lesser flow rates.

Alternately, standard plumbing fittings available at the local hardware store allow the user to hard-plumb this pump in with PVC.

For tanks running a closed loop circulation system, this pump would be a good choice but may not be powerful enough to generate the total flow many systems demand. Perhaps separate closed loops would be a better way to create more flow, if that need is there.

Marineland offers a three year warranty, which is a huge mark in the plus column. Knowing your expenditure is covered for 36 months is great motivation for me, and tells me that the manufacturer believes in their product. I've been using Maxijet pumps for years, and they seem to last forever. It shouldn't be a surprise that this pump may do the same thing.

When used as a submersible pump, it has a screen to keep livestock from being harmed if they were to get too close to the intake. It is easy to disassemble and clean.


The models available are:
NJ400 - 106 gph - 7w - 2'
NJ900 - 247 gph - 10w - 4'
NJ1100 - 294 gph - 21w - 5.75'
NJ1800 - 474 gph - 38w - 7.25'
NJ3000 - 775 gph - 58w - 9'
NJ4500 - 1175 gph -70w - 8'
NJ5500 - 1385 gph - 75w - 13'

When testing the largest model pump (Model NJ5500), it would shut down on its own within 20 seconds of being lifted out of the water. This happens because of the internal thermal sensor designed to protect the pump from overheating. Lowering it back into the water did not cause the pump to resume. It had to be unplugged and plugged back in to reset it. The 5500 is rated for 75w, but when I measured the one I had with a Kill-o-watt, it was reading 69w consistently. The Model NJ5500 can push water vertically up to 13'. The impellar in that model was different from the normal paddle bit associated with Maxjiets. It is a magnetic-driven pump.

While this pump may not move massive amounts of water like some other external pumps can, it moves plenty for a return pump and does so with less electricity consumption. As we endeavor to be more 'green' in our energy usage, such a pump would be a good choice because it will be on 24 hours a day. Return pumps are only designed to get the water back up to the display tank; they should not be used to create flow in the reef itself. That is what makes this pump such a good choice, and Marineland has created different sizes so that nano-and-greater systems can find the perfect match.

Legalese: The brand new NJ5500 pump was lent to me by a local fish store for testing purposes, and was then returned in like-new condition. No money nor product was received by me for this review. The opinions above are my own, providing feedback for others. I received no compensation whatsoever by Marineland nor the local store.

More info: http://www.marineland.com/sites/Mari...=3598&mid=3226