Pool pump for tank

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Tj203

Dovii
MFK Member
Sep 11, 2019
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Ok so I need a big return pump and want to know if there is any reason you cant use a pool pump for the return pump. I can get one for under $150 Instead of paying $500 for a reeflo.
 
You should look at the pump curve. Design based on what you need not cost.
 
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Pool pumps are very high head pumps and major energy hogs. They are not well suited for aquariums. Also if you don’t address the 3/4 inch returns then the larger pump is waste anyway. Consider a 630 watt pond pump will produce 6000gph at 20 ft of head (w lim wave 2 .5 hp). A 1 hp pool pump will consume around 1500 watts and produce a similar amount of flow unless the system is restrictive. In your system the pool pump will produce more flow because you have a lot of headloss caused by the small pipes. How much will a .7 kw per month save you? One key thing to remember is Frictional headloss is directly related to velocities so if you have 20 ft of headloss at 2000 gph you may have 30 ft of headloss at 3500 gph for the same system. This is because an increased velocity is required to increase the flow which results in a increased frictional headloss.
 
kendragon said:
You should look at the pump curve. Design based on what you need not cost.
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But why pay more for something that dose the same. The pool pump has the curve I need just didnot know if I could use it.
 
yzf450motoxrider said:
Pool pumps are very high head pumps and major energy hogs. They are not well suited for aquariums. Also if you don’t address the 3/4 inch returns then the larger pump is waste anyway. Consider a 630 watt pond pump will produce 6000gph at 20 ft of head (w lim wave 2 .5 hp). A 1 hp pool pump will consume around 1500 watts and produce a similar amount of flow unless the system is restrictive. In your system the pool pump will produce more flow because you have a lot of headloss caused by the small pipes. How much will a .7 kw per month save you? One key thing to remember is Frictional headloss is directly related to velocities so if you have 20 ft of headloss at 2000 gph you may have 30 ft of headloss at 3500 gph for the same system. This is because an increased velocity is required to increase the flow which results in a increased frictional headloss.
Click to expand...
Dont know where you got 3/4 inch returns it would be at least 1 inch or bigger and I Could not find the power draw for the pool pumps but I know 1 hp is 746 watts at 80% Efficiency that's not 1500 but If they really are that Inefficient you right the other one should be better. But the 3/4 hp and the reeflo I was looking at was about the same power draw around 750
 
Tj203 said:
But why pay more for something that dose the same. The pool pump has the curve I need just didnot know if I could use it.
Click to expand...

Highly doubt they do the same. As yzf mentioned, pool pumps are pressure pumps.
 
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