4600 gal converted above ground pool
- Thread starter OTp1144
- Start date
Water stays just around 90. The really hot days it goes a bit over. But it's consistently 100+ every day and drops down to mid 80s at night. I'm hoping once I get this new filter running it'll help cool it off more
Just ordered 576 pot scrubbers from kole imports for $55+shipping less 10% discount when using promo code "house". Hard to beat that price.
http://www.koleimports.com/scouring-pad-8pc-1
http://www.koleimports.com/scouring-pad-8pc-1
Plumbing is all done. Added two additional outputs because the barrel was filling all the way to the top. So now with 3 2" outputs it's flowing nicely. Now I just have to adjust them to get the rotation I want in the pool. Thinking of adding some pipe to one of them and bringing it straight down in to the water and then adding an elbow so I get flow right at the surface
I would recommend returning that pump if you still can. There is no reason to run a high pressure pump in your system.
Laguna Max Drive 4200 draws 840 watts- Cost to run per month = $66.52*
Laguna Max Flo 4280 draws 160 watts- Cost to run per month = $12.67*
In one year, the Max Drive will cost almost $650 more to run than the Max Flo and you will get roughly the same flow. Even if you are unable to return the Max Drive, the more efficient pump (Max Flo 4280) will pay for itself in just a few months. Get the Max Flo and keep the Max Drive as a emergency back-up pump.
The kicker is that using an 840 watt submersible pump is the equivalent of having a heater running 24/7. The pump might be helpful in the Winter when you need heat, but it's only making matters worse in the Summer. You are already pushing the limits of what those fish can handle temperature wise so you should try to eliminate anything that is adding heat to your setup. An above ground pool in AZ used as a fish pond was likely doomed from the start (as was already mentioned), but the high wattage pump is only making matters worse.
You are in Phoenix, AZ? If so, you will need to heat the pond in the winter if you plan on keeping tropicals. You are going to need some serious energy in order to heat 4,600 gallons.
*Estimates are using the national average cost of electricity which I believe is $.11/KWHr
Laguna Max Drive 4200 draws 840 watts- Cost to run per month = $66.52*
Laguna Max Flo 4280 draws 160 watts- Cost to run per month = $12.67*
In one year, the Max Drive will cost almost $650 more to run than the Max Flo and you will get roughly the same flow. Even if you are unable to return the Max Drive, the more efficient pump (Max Flo 4280) will pay for itself in just a few months. Get the Max Flo and keep the Max Drive as a emergency back-up pump.
The kicker is that using an 840 watt submersible pump is the equivalent of having a heater running 24/7. The pump might be helpful in the Winter when you need heat, but it's only making matters worse in the Summer. You are already pushing the limits of what those fish can handle temperature wise so you should try to eliminate anything that is adding heat to your setup. An above ground pool in AZ used as a fish pond was likely doomed from the start (as was already mentioned), but the high wattage pump is only making matters worse.
You are in Phoenix, AZ? If so, you will need to heat the pond in the winter if you plan on keeping tropicals. You are going to need some serious energy in order to heat 4,600 gallons.
*Estimates are using the national average cost of electricity which I believe is $.11/KWHr
Interesting. I was looking at the max-flo but the reason I decided on the max drive was the price difference of about $100 cheaper. I didn't realize the wattage was so different. Obviously the running cost difference will more than make up for the initial cost very quickly. Thank you so much for bringing that up! Guess I've got a spare pump now 
It's been a while so have some updates. A storm wrecked the sun shade, so am alternative is in the works
