What is a "Pump" and what is a "Power Head"

[Narmical]

How is a product labeled "Power Head" Different from one labeled "Pump"

The seem to do the same thing. but the different name suggest a difference that i as a newbie might not fully understand

what is it if any?

[Reefland]

Well...typically a pump is referred to as a larger device which flows more water per hour and in a lot of cases can even handle head pressure. A powerhead on the other hand is a smaller device which is used internally in the aquarium for supplemental water flow.

[ccorral]

power head and pumps are the same. Power head was used for old school undergravel filters as a replacement for an airstone.

[Firefish]

Actually, pumps & powerheads are not the same. Scott is correct that pumps are larger and capable of greater head pressure. "pumps" often have devices in them to prevent back flow. Some pumps utilize a "rotary" to produce very high pressures, and some pumps use pistons, block plates or synthetic diaphragms to produce pressure & flow.
A powerhead is designed to create water flow, and not so much head pressure. A powerhead will allow water to back flow, and can be made to "pump" in reverse whereas a pump wont (although some pumps will allow for back flow, many don't). Powerheads simply "sling" water, pumps compress it. The mechanics of a pump head, are often completely different then a simple powerhead.
I worked for Ingersoll Rand for a while and used to rebuild all sorts of pumps... pneumatic, hydraulic & mechanical...

By the way, this was a great question.

[ccorral]

you all should be more specific are you saying that an eheim pump and a hagen power head are made different. Just becuase the name/description of the unit. Copper coil, epoxy and magentic rotor. Tell me how they are different????

[Firefish]

I don't think I could've been more specific in my post
You can have a pump (noun) or you can pump (verb). A powrehead may act like a "pump" in terms of moving only fluid, but it's not a pump (noun).

A pump is a machine for compressing fluids, air or gases by means of a piston, plunger or a diaphragm (some commercial / industrial units use a rotary or screw type).

Powerheads don't pump, they sling fluids out a high velocity, but aren't as efficient as a pump (noun) at generating great pressure. You would need a lot more powerhead to create the same pressures as a small pump.

Jet boats, power filters, (most) sewer ejectors etc... work the same way, by "flinging" water around an impeller, via screened intake- through a nozzle. Some use venturi(s) to increase back pressure (which decreases the area to move the same amount of fluid thus increasing the fluids velocity) which is why you need gobs of hp. to propel an 18' jet boat.




Powerwashers, air compressors, ac systems and fuel stations are all actual "pumps" which use a piston, plunger or diaphragm to compress & move fluid or air.

Some external pumps for sump returns may operate with the same principle as a rio 2500 using vanes to sling water at a much higher velocity but, they are much more powerful, built to more specific tolerances and are capable of moving way more water with more force then a powerhead. Some have built-in check valves that will not allow back flow. I think some external return pumps are piston or diaphragm types also...

You're not going to use 4 Iwaki external pumps with a wave maker to create flow in a display tank (unless you have a tank that holds thousands of gallons of water) You're going to use powerheads. There's nothing "old school" about either one of'em...

[showfish]

Great distinction Firefish. I didn't realize how different they really are.