Maxi-Jet Water Pumps — Reliable Submersible Pump for Flood & Drain and NFT Systems
Best for: Budget-conscious growers building or upgrading NFT, flood and drain, or circulation systems who want proven reliability without the premium price tag
Our thoughts
Maxi-Jet pumps have been a workhorse in hydroponic growing for years. Simple, quiet, and genuinely reliable — they move water where it needs to go without drama or fuss. One we sell a lot of for growers stepping up from small systems to medium-scale setups.
Maxi-Jet Water Pumps are submersible circulation pumps designed to move nutrients consistently and quietly around your growing system. Available in three flow rates — the 500, 750, and 1000 — they function as three pumps in one: power head, utility pump, and circulation pump, depending on how you configure them. Built-in motor protection means they won't overheat even under heavy use, and they require virtually no maintenance thanks to dual pre-filters. They're wired ready to go, supplied with a 2-metre cable and 13amp plug, and fit standard 13mm flexible tubing. This is what you need when you want a pump that does exactly what it should, day in, day out.
How it compares
Maxi-Jet sits in the entry-to-mid tier of hydroponic water pumps — proven, affordable, and genuinely reliable.
- Same functional performance as premium brands for everyday growing setups
- Quieter operation than many cheaper alternatives, with three operational modes for flexibility
- Significantly lower cost than specialist brands without cutting reliability corners
- Better value than Active Aqua or Hailea for growers on a tighter budget
In simple terms: you're getting a pump with real pedigree — trusted in aquatic and horticultural growing for years — at a price that leaves room in the budget for decent tubing, fittings, and nutrients.
Usage guidance
Maxi-Jet works across different hydroponic system types:
Flood and drain systems
Use the 750 or 1000 to push nutrient solution from your reservoir up to your flood table. The built-in suction cups keep it stable in the reservoir, and the rotating 360-degree outlet lets you position the intake exactly where you need it. Most growers run one cycle per hour — the pump does the lifting, a timer does the rhythm.
NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) systems
The 500 or 750 works well here, providing consistent low-pressure flow down the channel. Less is more with NFT — you want a steady trickle, not a torrent. Maxi-Jet's three operational modes give you that control without guessing.
Circulation and aeration
Use in powerhead mode to keep your reservoir mixed and oxygenated. This matters more than growers often realise — stagnant reservoirs breed problems. A Maxi-Jet running continuously keeps nutrients in suspension and stops hot spots forming.
Run-to-waste drip systems
The 1000 model handles this cleanly, pushing nutrient solution through individual drip lines to each pot. Pair it with a timer for automated feeding cycles.
Sizing your pump
Small setups (up to 4-6 flood tables or 20-30 pots on drip): 500 model works. Medium setups (6-12 flood tables or 30-60 pots): 750 is your sweet spot. Larger systems: 1000. If you're unsure, ask — undersizing a pump is worse than oversizing one.
Maintenance
Check the pre-filters monthly. Hard water deposits can build up over time, so if your water's chalky, descale every 8-12 weeks. The suction cups sometimes get brittle with age — keep a spare set to hand. It's cheap insurance against a reservoir mishap.
Technical specifications
Maxi-Jet 500
- Flow rate: 500 litres per hour
- Lift height: 95cm
- Power consumption: 6 watts
- Dimensions: 5cm x 9cm x 8cm
- Weight: 0.43kg
- Outlet: 13mm rotating 360-degree outlet
- Cable: 2 metres, 13amp plug
- Mounting: 3 suction cups
- Features: Dual pre-filters, motor protection, two operational modes
Maxi-Jet 750
- Flow rate: 670 litres per hour
- Lift height: 165cm
- Power consumption: 9.5 watts
- Dimensions: 5cm x 8cm x 7cm
- Weight: 0.45kg
- Outlet: 13mm rotating 360-degree outlet
- Cable: 2 metres, 13amp plug
- Mounting: 3 suction cups
- Features: Dual pre-filters, motor protection, two operational modes
Maxi-Jet 1000
- Flow rate: 970 litres per hour
- Lift height: 110cm
- Power consumption: 12.5 watts
- Dimensions: 5cm x 8.5cm x 7cm
- Weight: 0.45kg
- Outlet: 13mm rotating 360-degree outlet
- Cable: 2 metres, 13amp plug
- Mounting: 3 suction cups
- Features: Dual pre-filters, motor protection, two operational modes
Standard across all models:
- Fits 13mm flexible tubing or standard tubing with ratchet clip
- Integral motor protection — won't overheat even under heavy use or if impeller jams
- Virtually maintenance-free with dual pre-filter system
- Quiet operation
- Wired ready to use — no assembly required
Who this is for
- First-time hydroponic growers building their first flood and drain or NFT system
- Budget-conscious growers upgrading from small passive systems to medium-scale active ones
- Anyone running multiple pots or tables where system reliability directly affects crop success
- Growers who know that a pump failure means root zone dry-out, and they can't afford downtime
- Experienced growers who just want a dependable workhorse without paying premium brand prices
Particularly well suited to setups where consistent, quiet, reliable circulation matters more than cutting-edge features — which is most growing systems, honestly.
Our take
This is a proper pump at a price that makes sense. Maxi-Jet has proven itself over years in real growing setups. It moves water consistently, stays quiet, and doesn't need mollycoddling. If you're building a flood and drain system or stepping up your NFT game, this is a solid bet. The 750 is probably the sweet spot for most growers — enough flow to handle medium setups without overcomplicating things.
Good time to buy while clearance stock lasts. Does exactly what it should, and won't break the budget.
