Fluval Pond Max Flo Power Pump 9000 Lift to 3.7 Mtrs
Suits tanks
Up to 18000 L
Flow rate
9000 L/h
Water type
Freshwater
Part no.
PT8324
Warranty
3 years
Voltage
220–240V / 50Hz (AU)
Max head
3.7 m
Fluval Pond Max Flo Power Pump 9000 Lift to 3.7 Mtrs
A 9,000 L/h submersible pond pump rated to lift water 3.7 metres, for larger waterfalls, streams and filter feeds. The Fluval Max-Flo 9000 (Fluval reference PT8324) is an 80 W magnetic-drive solids-handling pump built for ponds up to roughly 18,000 litres, rated to pass solids up to 9 mm.
As with every centrifugal pond pump, flow falls as head rises – 9,000 L/h is the flow at essentially no lift, and it drops toward zero as you approach the pump's 3.7 m maximum head. Fluval publishes those two end points but not the curve between them, so plan your waterfall height and filter run using the figures below rather than the single headline number.
Key features
- 80 W magnetic-drive submersible motor – rated for continuous 24/7 running, with no motor seals exposed to pond water.
- Electronic clog protection – reduces impeller speed if the pump senses a blockage, with thermal shutdown if it overheats.
- Handles solids up to 9 mm – copes with the leaf litter and debris a larger pond generates.
- Ceramic shaft – more wear-resistant under continuous running than a standard steel shaft.
- Click-Fit couplings in 19, 25 and 32 mm (to 38 mm) – tool-free connection to common pond hose sizes.
Performance
| Head height | Flow rate |
|---|---|
| 0 m (essentially no lift) | 9,000 L/h |
| 3.7 m | 0 L/h (maximum head – pump stalls) |
Fluval has not published the intermediate points on this curve. Expect delivered flow to fall well below 9,000 L/h once you add the lift of your waterfall plus the head loss through a UV clarifier or pressure filter – size your pond turnover conservatively rather than against the rated maximum.
Specifications
| Fluval reference | PT8324 (Max-Flo 9000) |
|---|---|
| Wattage | 80 W |
| Maximum flow | 9,000 L/h |
| Maximum head | 3.7 m |
| Recommended pond volume | Up to 18,000 L |
| Solids handling | Up to 9 mm |
| Dimensions | 21 x 13 cm |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Pump type | Submersible, magnetic-drive, ceramic shaft |
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 a waterfall or biological filter depends on the flow. At up to 18,000 L recommended capacity and 3.7 m of head, the 9000 suits a larger pond, a taller waterfall, or a setup running a pressure filter and UV clarifier off the one pump. If your pond is close to that 18,000 L ceiling, or your total head is near 3.7 m once hose and filter losses are added, step up to the Max-Flo 12,000.
Which Max-Flo do I need?
| Model | Max flow | Max head |
|---|---|---|
| Max-Flo 2400 | 2,400 L/h | 1.8 m |
| Max-Flo 5300 | 5,300 L/h | 3.3 m |
| Max-Flo 9000 (this pump) | 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 combined lift and filter head loss is close to this pump's 3.7 m maximum, or if your pond is near the top of its 18,000 L rating.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for larger outdoor ponds running 24/7, feeding waterfalls, streams and external pressure or box filters. Not suitable for indoor use out of water, and not a food-safe or drinking-water pump.
Running costs and noise
At 80 W run continuously, that's roughly 1.9 kWh a day, or around 700 kWh a year – at 30c/kWh, in the order of $210 a year to run 24/7. Actual cost will vary with your tariff and how many hours a day you run it.
Safety
Mains-powered and submersible: run it from an RCD/safety-switch-protected outdoor circuit, and disconnect power before removing it from the pond for cleaning or servicing.
Care and maintenance
Rinse the strainer cage regularly – more often in autumn leaf-drop – to protect the impeller and keep flow up. Check the ceramic shaft and impeller each season for wear.
Goes well with
Pair with a Fluval Pond Pressure Flo Pond Filter with U.V. or Fluval Pond Jet Flo Complete Pond Filter Unit with UV sized to this pump's flow, for mechanical, biological and UV-clarified circulation.
Warranty and delivery
Covered by a 3 year Fluval 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 9,000 L/h. That figure is measured at essentially no lift; every metre of head plus hose, elbow and filter losses reduces it. Fluval publishes the maximum flow and maximum head but not the points between, so plan conservatively.
What size debris can it pass?
Up to 9 mm, via a strainer cage that still needs regular rinsing.
What's the running cost?
At 80 W run continuously, budget roughly $210 a year at 30c/kWh – less if you don't run it around the clock.
Can I run it 24/7?
Yes, it's built for continuous operation.
