Little Giant 5-MSP Submersible Pump Blue 1200 GPH

The Little Giant 5-MSP is a permanently lubricated submersible utility pump rated at 1,200 GPH with a 1/6 HP thermally protected motor. It is designed for reliable water movement in hydroponic reservoirs, flood trays, and general utility drainage, and ships with a garden hose adapter and a removable bottom inlet screen for straightforward maintenance.

Little Giant 5-MSP Specifications

Why Choose the Little Giant 5-MSP

The 5-MSP is a straightforward, maintenance-light submersible pump. Here is what the manufacturer specifies that distinguishes it from basic commodity pumps:

• Permanently lubricated motor with lifetime oil supply. The pump does not require periodic oil changes or re-lubrication. Once installed, the lubrication system is sealed for the life of the unit, reducing maintenance interventions.
• Thermally protected motor. The 1/6 HP shaded pole motor includes built-in thermal overload protection. If the motor overheats — for example, during an accidental dry-run — the thermal cutout trips before damage occurs, then resets when the motor cools.
• Epoxy-coated cast aluminum housing. The aluminum body resists corrosion from nutrient solutions while providing the structural rigidity needed for continuous submersible operation. The epoxy coating adds a moisture barrier appropriate for hydroponic environments.
• Pumps down to 1/8 inch (3.2 mm). The bottom inlet design and low-profile construction allow the pump to evacuate a reservoir or flood tray to near-dry levels, minimizing standing water that can harbor pathogens.
• Removable bottom inlet screen. The screen catches debris before it reaches the impeller. Removing and rinsing it takes seconds without tools, so routine cleaning does not require disassembling the pump.
• Garden hose adapter included. The pump ships ready to connect to a standard garden hose thread outlet, so no separate adapter purchase is needed for common drainage and irrigation tasks.

Best Uses for the Little Giant 5-MSP

The 5-MSP is classified as a utility pump and is suited to applications where a moderate flow rate, submersible operation, and low-maintenance running are priorities. Typical uses in a hydroponic or indoor garden setup include:

• Hydroponic reservoir circulation. Moving nutrient solution continuously from a reservoir to grow sites (NFT channels, flood trays, or drip emitters) at up to 1,200 GPH provides adequate flow for small to mid-size systems.
• Flood-and-drain (ebb and flow) systems. The pump fills flood trays from a reservoir on a timer cycle. The bottom-inlet design and 1/8 in pump-down depth help drain residual water from low-profile trays.
• Reservoir drainage and water changes. When a nutrient reservoir needs to be emptied for a full flush or a water change, the 5-MSP can move the volume quickly. Its garden hose adapter makes directing the discharge straightforward.
• Sump and drainage applications. In a grow room where condensate or runoff accumulates, the pump can serve as a utility sump pump, activating on a float switch or manual timer.
• Recirculating water features. The sealed, permanently lubricated motor is also appropriate for small decorative ponds or water features where continuous submersible operation is required.

For grow operations that also need aeration in the nutrient reservoir, pairing this pump with a dedicated air stone and an Active Aqua air pump gives independent control over water flow and dissolved oxygen levels.

Compatibility

The 5-MSP is a submersible pump designed for use fully or partially submerged in water or water-based nutrient solutions. Key compatibility notes from the manufacturer description:

• Outlet connection: The included garden hose adapter fits standard garden hose thread (GHT). Most flexible vinyl tubing sold in hydroponic supply channels uses barbed fittings; a GHT-to-barb adapter (sold separately) bridges the connection where needed.
• Reservoir materials: The epoxy-coated aluminum housing is compatible with typical hydroponic nutrient solutions. Users running highly acidic or alkaline solutions should verify solution pH stays within normal hydroponic ranges (5.5–7.0) to avoid accelerated coating wear.
• Power supply: The pump uses a standard AC motor. Verify the unit’s label for voltage and amperage requirements before connecting; standard North American household current (120V, 60Hz) is typical for this product class.
• System sizing: At 1,200 GPH maximum flow, the 5-MSP is sized for small to medium hydroponic setups. Larger multi-table operations may require a higher-capacity pump or multiple units. For growing operations also running a water purification stage, a Hydro-Logic Micro RO system can feed pre-filtered water to the reservoir the 5-MSP circulates.

Sources & Further Reading