I'm researching/designing my own wet/dry trickle filter. There seems to
be an abundance of info on the net but one thing still baffles me. How
is everyone getting a $15 powerhead to lift water from the filter back
into the top of the tank? I have tried several methods with the 300gph
powerhead I have, but it stalls at 2ft of lift.

My tank lid is about 4ft from the floor (55gal on a stand). I expect
whatever pump I use will need to lift 3.5ft at 125gph or so. With those
requirements I am looking at a pond or fountain pump. Yes?