NEW Tunze FlowJet 5600 Return Pump | Coming Soon!
Tunze is bringing something new to the return pump category with the Turbelle FlowJet 5600. First shown as part of Tunze’s new product lineup at Interzoo 2026, the FlowJet 5600 is a controllable return pump capable of producing up to 1,532 GPH with a maximum head height of 11.65 feet. Those numbers put the FlowJet 5600 squarely in range for many medium-sized saltwater aquariums.
While specs are always important when selecting the right return pump, the thing that caught my eye immediately was that they used the technology behind their Turbelle stream 3 pump and combined that with a new impeller to create the FlowJet 5600.
What Makes the FlowJet 5600 Different?
There are already plenty of controllable DC return pumps on the market, which makes it increasingly difficult for a new pump to stand out. Gone are the days when controllable flow was a unique selling feature.
When it comes to the new FlowJet 5600, the uniqueness is in the use of a magnetic bearing design.
Most return pumps I've run over the years have featured a ceramic or metal axle that the impeller slides onto and rotates around. It's a design that's been used for years, but that axle and its associated bearing surfaces can become a source of wear, vibration, and overall pump noise over time.
With the FlowJet 5600, Tunze uses a magnetically supported system based on the motor technology developed for the Turbelle stream 3. Instead of relying on a traditional fixed axle for radial support, the stream 3 motor uses magnetic bearings to support the rotating assembly with significantly less physical contact.
This isn't completely new territory for Tunze, either. The stream 3 has been using this motor architecture for years as a high-output circulation pump designed to run continuously. For the FlowJet 5600, Tunze took that established motor platform and paired it with a newly developed impeller optimized for moving water against the head pressure you would expect from a typical sump-to-display return.
For a return pump that may run 24 hours a day for years at a time, reducing mechanical contact makes a lot of sense. Fewer traditional wear surfaces can mean less vibration and noise while potentially improving long-term reliability.
I also like that Tunze isn't asking customers to be the guinea pigs for a completely new motor design. The core technology has already spent years in the stream 3, and the FlowJet 5600 is essentially adapting that proven platform to a different job.
More About the stream 3: The Tunze stream 3 was first unveiled at Interzoo in 2016 and remains one of the most unique powerheads in the aquarium hobby today.
The pump concept originated from Felix Tunze's academic work, which explored a new approach to propeller pump design using a magnetically supported drive system. That work ultimately became the foundation for the stream 3.
Built with Real-World Use in Mind
Tunze rates the FlowJet 5600 for a maximum flow rate of 5,800 L/h, which works out to approximately 1,532 GPH. The maximum head height is 3.55 meters, or 11.65 feet.
More importantly, Tunze says that the impeller was optimized around typical return pump usage with a head height of about 2 meters (6.5 feet). I think we can all agree that most aquarists running a sump have it placed directly below the display tank inside the stand, so we don't necessarily need a pressure-rated pump with 11+ feet of head height.
App-Based Control
The FlowJet 5600 includes Tunze's Controller 7020 and can be controlled through the Tunze App for iOS and Android.
The app serves as Tunze's central control platform and allows users to adjust the pump without relying solely on physical controls at the aquarium (although physical buttons for basic controls are available on the controller if that's more your style).
What About Plumbing and Installation?
Tunze has long manufactured their pumps in Germany and this one is no different. That said, European-made pumps can sometimes be a challenge for US-based customers due to different plumbing standards and sizes.
The good news is that the FlowJet 5600 includes a hose nozzle with the pump that accepts 1" flexible tubing. I typically prefer to run a short length of flexible tubing from my return pump to my hard plumbing anyway, so it should be easy to add the FlowJet 5600 to your system without hunting down adapters.
The outlet can also be rotated 360 degrees, adding flexibility when positioning the pump in your sump and routing your return plumbing.
FlowJet 5600 Specifications
- Maximum Flow: 5,800 L/h / 1,532 GPH
- Maximum Head Height: 3.55 m / 11.65 ft
- Maximum Power Consumption: 60W
- Voltage: 100-240V, 50-60 Hz
- Dimensions: 8.07" x 4.13" x 6.30"
- Outlet: G 1"
- Cable Length: 5 m
- Freshwater or Saltwater Systems
- Tunze App Control
- Tool-Free Disassembly
- 360° Rotatable Outlet
- 5-Year Tunze Warranty
Availability and Pricing
Ok, ok, so when can I buy one and how much is it going to cost? We expect the Tunze FlowJet 5600 to be available in the US sometime in September 2026 at an estimated price of $759.99.
Visit the FlowJet 5600 page and click 'Notify Me When In-Stock' to get an email as soon as it becomes available at Bulk Reef Supply!
Adam has been keeping reef aquariums since 2010 and has worked in the aquarium industry for much of his career. He began at Bulk Reef Supply in Customer Service, helping hobbyists troubleshoot problems and build more successful tanks. Today, he writes educational content and product descriptions that help reef keepers better understand saltwater aquariums and make confident decisions. He believes the best tanks are built around what you enjoy, not what’s trending.
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