Fluval Pond Max Flo Power Pump 5300 Lift to 3.3 Mtrs
Suits tanks
Up to 10300 L
Flow rate
5300 L/h
Water type
Freshwater
Part no.
PT8322
Fluval Pond Max Flo Power Pump 5300 Lift to 3.3 Mtrs
A 5,300 L/h submersible pond pump rated to lift water 3.3 metres for waterfalls, streams and filter feeds. The Fluval Max-Flo 5300 (Fluval reference PT8322) is a magnetic-drive solids-handling pump built for ponds up to roughly 10,300 litres, and it's rated to pass solids up to 6 mm so it won't choke on the debris a pond pump actually sees.
Like every centrifugal pond pump, its flow drops as it works against more lift — 5,300 L/h is the rate at essentially no lift, and that number falls the higher you're pumping water or the more restriction from hose, filters and fittings you add. Fluval publishes the two ends of that curve (peak flow, and the head at which flow reaches zero) but not the points in between, so plan your waterfall or filter run using the figures below rather than the headline number alone.
Key features
- Magnetic-drive submersible motor — no seals to wear out in the water, and energy-efficient for continuous 24/7 running.
- Handles solids up to 6 mm — copes with the leaf litter and debris a pond throws at it, via a two-piece strainer cage.
- Click-Fit couplings — tool-free connection to hose or pipe without glued fittings.
- Flat, stable footprint — designed to sit securely on a pond floor or in a skimmer box without tipping.
Performance
| Head height | Flow rate |
|---|---|
| 0 m (essentially no lift) | 5,300 L/h |
| 3.3 m | 0 L/h (maximum head — pump stalls) |
Fluval has not published the intermediate points on this curve. As a rough planning guide, expect delivered flow to fall well below the 5,300 L/h headline once you add the lift to your waterfall or the head loss through a UV clarifier or pressure filter — size your pond turnover on the lower end of what you need, not on the rated maximum.
Specifications
| Fluval reference | PT8322 (Max-Flo 5300) |
|---|---|
| Maximum flow | 5,300 L/h |
| Maximum head | 3.3 m |
| Recommended pond volume | Up to 10,300 L |
| Solids handling | Up to 6 mm |
| Cord length | Approx. 4.9 m |
| Pump type | Submersible, magnetic-drive |
| Weight | 2 kg |
Fluval has not published a wattage figure for this specific model — check the rating label on the pump itself, or the box, before wiring it into a circuit.
Will it fit my pond?
As a rough guide, aim to turn over your pond volume roughly once an hour for general circulation, more if you're running a waterfall feature or biological filter that depends on flow. At up to 10,300 L recommended capacity and 3.3 m of head, the 5300 suits a mid-size pond with a modest waterfall or stream, or as the feed pump for a pressure filter. If your head height is close to 3.3 m, or your pond is near the 10,300 L ceiling, step up to the Fluval Max-Flo 9000.
Which Max-Flo do I need?
| Model | Max flow | Max head |
|---|---|---|
| Max-Flo 2400 | 2,400 L/h | 1.8 m |
| Max-Flo 5300 (this pump) | 5,300 L/h | 3.3 m |
| Max-Flo 9000 | 9,000 L/h | 3.7 m |
| Max-Flo 12,000 | 12,000 L/h | 4.2 m |
| Max-Flo 16,500 | 16,500 L/h | 4.7 m |
Go up a size if your waterfall's lift is close to this pump's 3.3 m maximum, or if you're feeding a pressure filter and UV clarifier as well as a waterfall from the one pump.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for outdoor ponds and water features running 24/7, feeding waterfalls, streams, and external pressure or box filters. Not suitable for use out of water, and not rated as a food-safe or drinking-water pump.
Safety
Mains-powered and submersible: run it from a circuit protected by an RCD/safety switch rated for outdoor use, and disconnect power before removing the pump from the pond for cleaning.
Care and maintenance
Rinse the strainer cage regularly, more often during autumn leaf-drop, to keep flow up and protect the impeller from clogging. Inspect the magnetic-drive impeller each season for wear.
Goes well with
Pair with a Fluval Pond Pressure Flo Pond Filter with U.V. sized to this pump's flow, or a Fluval Pond Jet Flo Complete Pond Filter Unit with UV, to combine mechanical, biological and UV clarification with the circulation this pump provides.
Warranty and delivery
Covered by Fluval's manufacturer warranty against defects, in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. Standard parcel delivery.
Common questions
What flow will I actually get once it's plumbed in?
Less than the 5,300 L/h headline. That figure is measured at essentially no lift; every metre of head, plus hose runs, elbows and filters, reduces it. Fluval publishes the maximum flow and maximum head but not the curve in between, so plan conservatively.
What size debris can it pass?
Up to 6 mm, handled by a two-piece strainer cage that still needs regular rinsing.
Can I run it 24/7?
Yes, it's designed for continuous operation, which is how a pond pump should be run.
Does it come with hose fittings?
It uses Click-Fit couplings for tool-free connection; confirm your hose diameter fits the standard couplings before ordering additional adaptors.
