Fluval SEA Sump Pump - SP6 (13000 LPH)

• Magnetically-driven impeller – no direct-drive shaft seal to wear out, which is the usual failure point on cheaper return pumps.
• 13,000 L/h maximum flow – measured at zero head, i.e. with the outlet at the same height as the pump and no plumbing restriction.
• 3.7 m maximum head – the lift height at which flow drops to zero; useful for checking the pump can even reach your sump-to-display height before you look at flow.
• 32 mm (1¼") threaded outlet – NPT/GAS thread with a barbed hose-tail option, so it adapts to most sump plumbing without extra fittings.
• Submersible or dry/inline use – mount it in the sump itself or plumb it inline outside the cabinet.

Fluval publishes these two reference points but not the intermediate curve (flow at 0.5 m, 1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m). As a working rule for centrifugal pumps generally, flow falls off faster in the second half of the head range than the first – so a typical 1–1.2 m sump-to-display lift with elbows and a check valve will deliver noticeably less than the 13,000 L/h headline, but comfortably more than half of it. Measure your actual lift and plumbing losses and size up rather than sizing to the headline number.

This is sold in Australia on 240 V / 50 Hz mains. Fluval's published 100 W and 13,000 L/h figures are from the US (120 V/60 Hz) spec sheet – actual power draw and flow on our 50 Hz supply can differ slightly, and Fluval's Australian distributor lists a nearby figure of 12,300 L/h for the same model. Treat 12,000–13,000 L/h as the realistic zero-head range on local mains rather than a single fixed number.

Check your sump-to-display lift (head height) against the 3.7 m maximum, then subtract for every 90° elbow, check valve and length of narrow-bore hose in the run – each adds friction loss on top of straight-line lift. For most home systems with a 1–1.5 m lift and reasonable plumbing, this pump comfortably clears large tanks; for taller lifts or long plumbing runs, confirm your real-world flow need before buying rather than sizing off 13,000 L/h.

• Suitable for: sump return duty on large marine or freshwater systems, dry or submerged mounting, continuous 24/7 operation.
• Not suitable for: small nano tanks (it's oversized and wastes power), or as an inline wavemaker – this is a return pump, not a circulation pump.

Strip and rinse the impeller and magnet housing every 4–6 weeks to clear salt creep and biofilm, which is the main cause of reduced flow over time. Check the intake strainer isn't drawing in substrate or debris that can jam the impeller.

Covered by Fluval's standard manufacturer warranty against defects, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Standard parcel freight.

Why is my real-world flow lower than 13,000 L/h?

That figure is measured at zero head – no lift, no plumbing. Every metre of lift, every elbow and every metre of hose reduces it. Size on your actual plumbing, not the headline number.

Can this run dry, mounted outside the sump?

Yes – it's rated for both submersible and dry/inline mounting.

What fittings do I need?

The outlet is a 32 mm (1¼") NPT/GAS thread with a barbed hose-tail option, which covers most standard sump plumbing without adapters.

Is 100 W accurate for my power bill?

That's the manufacturer's US-market figure; on Australian 240 V/50 Hz supply actual draw can vary slightly. Running continuously at 100 W works out to roughly 876 kWh a year – at 30c/kWh that's about $263 a year, before your own tariff is applied.