> I considered pond pumps but that would require controlling 240v
> device, which I could do but slightly complicates the setup

You can get DC versions but they are quite a bit more expensive. I
don't have the specs to hand but know that they don't use a lot of
power so even a small relay would do for control

> and most of the ones I saw made it difficult to connect to the inlet,
> ie they needed to be submerged

Yes, they do need to be submerged when running, but not necessarily
in the water you want to move. The pump can be mounted in a separate
smaller tank, connnected via a U-bend (so the pump tank doesn't drain)
to the main tank

> The $20.00 ones only had a head height of about 1 meter not sure
> if that would do the trick

ISTR I paid NZ$29.95 for a 2300 model and that's got quite some
pumping power to over 2m with a 25mm pipe

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