Any reasons why I can't use a swimming pool pump for my aquarium?

victor_c3 · 09/14/2008, 07:59 AM

My brother just bought a house and it came with an above ground pool. Him and his wife were not interested in keeping the pool so they tore it down. The previous owner just replaced the pump before they sold the house and it has only been used maybe a few weeks at best. My brother just gave me the pump as he has no use for it at all.

Is there any reason I can't use a pool pump for my main system pump for my upgrade plans? In general, would swimming pool pumps work in salt water (I know salt water is considered mildly corrosive)

It's a 1 horsepower pump and can pump up to 50' of head. At 20' of head it hits 5160 GPH. The room I want to use in my basement to setup my 250 gallon sump/frag tank (I'm planning on slowly upgrading my system to support a 120 and then a 260+ gallon display tank in the next 2-4 years [as soon as my corals outgrow my tank]) is about 26' feet of plumbing away and this pump would be perfect for what I want to do.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Victor

jener8tionx · 09/14/2008, 08:14 AM

First, if it has been in a swimming pool, there is probably a chemical residue. Chlorine in your display would be no good. Second, the pump is not designed for saltwater and would probably corrode quickly running the pump. my $0.02

rkelman · 09/14/2008, 08:14 AM

I would contact the maker of the pump and find out if it can handle salt water. Usually the seals etc are different not just the metal.

LobsterOfJustice · 09/14/2008, 08:18 AM

Yeah contact the manufacturer. It could be fine though - a lot of these pumps are designed for multiple uses. As long as you rinse out the pump there should be no chemical residue (especially not chlorine - which evaporates anyway).

billsreef · 09/14/2008, 08:23 AM

What's the pump? Most are safe, but some need to have certain seals and backing plates changed out. A good rinsing and drying will take care of any chlorine residue. BTW most of the pumps used for large tanks and even aquaculture set ups are swimming pool/jacuzzi pumps

n2585722 · 09/14/2008, 08:28 AM

My 2 cents is that would be way too much pump for the size tnaks you have listed. I had a 24 foot pool and the pump would shoot a stream clear across the pool if aimed upward. You may end up with all of your water on your floor. The one I had metal was exposed to the water stream. Also I wouldn't trust what chemicals were exposed to the pump. If you use it replace ALL parts that are exposed to the water stream.

victor_c3 · 09/14/2008, 08:55 AM

Thanks for the replies. I'll contact the manufacturer as I scoured their webpage this morning and couldn't find any reference to salt water.

The pump is a hayward pool products Power-Flow Matrix model number number SP550072.

As far as too much flow goes, I've already brainstormed that if I have too much flow I'd could just divert some of the flow to an additional 200+ gallon tub that would get circulated through my sump. I've found a website that sells different fiberglass and polyethalyne tubs for aquaculter purposes really cheap. They have several 200 gallon tank options in the $400-$500 range. The price I'd pay for a new pump with less flow is about the same as I'd pay for one of these tanks. If I end up going the route with an extra water holding tank then I'd end up with that much more water volume for my system. The room in my basement is a good 8' x 12'-15' so I have plenty of room for extra tanks.

oh yeah, a link to the aquaculter page:

http://www.aquaticeco.com/categories...--Liners/97/0/ (this is the page with the tanks/tubs

or try the main site at:

http://www.aquaticeco.com

billsreef · 09/14/2008, 09:52 AM

If the pump head construction is anything like the super pumps, your good to go

Spartanman22 · 09/14/2008, 10:01 AM

It should be fine. Lots of pools use salt nowadays versus chlorine so most newer pool pumps should be designed to work for both.

chucksta1 · 09/14/2008, 10:13 AM

Oh yeah... It will work... It's just wwwaaayyyy overkill. a 1 hp with no restrictions will spit out over 1.5 gallons per second. It will also spit out copious ammounts of hot air out of the motor vents and add a lot of heat to the water. Also, it is designed to have a certain amount of restriction on the outflow, ( think pool jets). when there is no restriction on the outflow, you may have cavitation issues on the intake side. It'd do-able, but personally, I'd go with something more application specific, like an Iwaki... around a hundred bucks used on ebay. You could probably sell the pool pump for more than that.

rkelman · 09/14/2008, 10:21 AM

"It should be fine. Lots of pools use salt nowadays versus chlorine so most newer pool pumps should be designed to work for both."

Should be fine is not good enough when you have thousands of dollars and countless hours invested... Many pools are still using chlorine additives. I don't know alot about the new setups but isn't the salt just an additive for the chlorine generator? I don't think the pools are "salt water"

n2585722 · 09/14/2008, 10:48 AM

Also don't forget pool pumps are loud. I could here mine inside the house with the air conditioner running. I don't think I would want that noise inside.

Marklu · 09/14/2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rkelman
"It should be fine. Lots of pools use salt nowadays versus chlorine so most newer pool pumps should be designed to work for both."

Should be fine is not good enough when you have thousands of dollars and countless hours invested... Many pools are still using chlorine additives. I don't know alot about the new setups but isn't the salt just an additive for the chlorine generator? I don't think the pools are "salt water"

No, they actually have saltwater pools. One of my buddies has one. Its not extremely salty, but you can taste it and feel it on your skin. I thought he was kidding when he first told me, but sure enough...

ludnix · 09/14/2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marklu
No, they actually have saltwater pools. One of my buddies has one. Its not extremely salty, but you can taste it and feel it on your skin. I thought he was kidding when he first told me, but sure enough...

The salt is dumped into the pool so that the chlorinator can convert it to chlorine, the water can be salty but the process is used to convert the salt to chlorine. The salt in the water is nowhere near the levels of the ocean.

prickles · 09/14/2008, 09:08 PM

Are you sure there are no copper/brass parts in the pump?

JustinReef · 09/14/2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rkelman
"It should be fine. Lots of pools use salt nowadays versus chlorine so most newer pool pumps should be designed to work for both."

Should be fine is not good enough when you have thousands of dollars and countless hours invested... Many pools are still using chlorine additives. I don't know alot about the new setups but isn't the salt just an additive for the chlorine generator? I don't think the pools are "salt water"

My parents pool is "saltwater". They refuse to use chlorine. There is also something else they add to the pool but its organic. I have heard of quite a few people switching to natural, no chemical pools actually.

Not a very high salinity though.

aslavatortin · 09/14/2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ludnix
The salt is dumped into the pool so that the chlorinator can convert it to chlorine, the water can be salty but the process is used to convert the salt to chlorine. The salt in the water is nowhere near the levels of the ocean.

The saltwater pools they are talking about are 100% chlorine free. The city pools where I live are converting to them.

victor_c3 · 09/15/2008, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by prickles
Are you sure there are no copper/brass parts in the pump?

Actually, that I didn't even think about and I don't know about.

That'll be a show stopper. I'll have to find out about that one!

Dino · 09/15/2008, 06:05 AM

I'd worry about a few of the things mentioned so far as well. I don't know about that specific pump but we have a big in ground pool that we use much more than just chlorine in. I'd have to look on the bottle just to see what the ingredients are but in the spring we use a really powerful algeacide that can take water that is BLACK and turn it sparkling clear within hours with only a few drops to 24,000 gallons. Our pool pump is pretty loud and it adds quite a bit of heat too (on a 24,000 gallon pool it'll keep it 5-10 degrees warmer than when it isn't running).

As has been said, you can try it - but it might be more hassle than its worth.

RicksReefs · 09/15/2008, 09:37 AM

reading that it has a noryl impellor, I bet it has a brass insert in it for screwing onto the motor shaft. if it does, it's no good for SW.

chucksta1 · 09/15/2008, 02:08 PM

In my pool pump, the intake and impeller are all plastic, there is metal in the shaft, but it's behind the ceramic seal. At that point, seal failure means the water leaks past the seal, not pulling water past the metal shaft.. the motor and impeller housing are two separate things..

Also, a lot of pumps are dual voltage and / or dual speed. When the pump runs 220V it costs less to run. Some have a dual speed system too, but you need to check the manufacturers webs site.

forneve1945 · 06/23/2018, 09:36 PM

Hello
I have a same problem but instead of using ceramic seal, chlorinator would be the better option.Using a socket or crescent wrench, remove the nut that is securing clamp together or loosen and remove the series of nuts and bolts. Some banded pumps have a hand knob instead of a nut holding the clamp together. Slide back the half of the pump assembly with the motor attached.

09/14/2008, 07:59 AM	#1
victor_c3 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York Posts: 513	Any reasons why I can't use a swimming pool pump for my aquarium? My brother just bought a house and it came with an above ground pool. Him and his wife were not interested in keeping the pool so they tore it down. The previous owner just replaced the pump before they sold the house and it has only been used maybe a few weeks at best. My brother just gave me the pump as he has no use for it at all. Is there any reason I can't use a pool pump for my main system pump for my upgrade plans? In general, would swimming pool pumps work in salt water (I know salt water is considered mildly corrosive) It's a 1 horsepower pump and can pump up to 50' of head. At 20' of head it hits 5160 GPH. The room I want to use in my basement to setup my 250 gallon sump/frag tank (I'm planning on slowly upgrading my system to support a 120 and then a 260+ gallon display tank in the next 2-4 years [as soon as my corals outgrow my tank]) is about 26' feet of plumbing away and this pump would be perfect for what I want to do. Any ideas? Thanks! Victor

09/14/2008, 08:18 AM	#4
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Yeah contact the manufacturer. It could be fine though - a lot of these pumps are designed for multiple uses. As long as you rinse out the pump there should be no chemical residue (especially not chlorine - which evaporates anyway). __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

09/14/2008, 08:23 AM	#5
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	What's the pump? Most are safe, but some need to have certain seals and backing plates changed out. A good rinsing and drying will take care of any chlorine residue. BTW most of the pumps used for large tanks and even aquaculture set ups are swimming pool/jacuzzi pumps __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

09/14/2008, 09:52 AM	#8
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	If the pump head construction is anything like the super pumps, your good to go __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

09/14/2008, 09:08 PM	#15
prickles Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ Posts: 1,138	Are you sure there are no copper/brass parts in the pump? __________________ My tank is finally big enough. I could swim in it. Current Tank Info: large

09/14/2008, 08:14 AM	#2
jener8tionx Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: N. Mesa, Az Posts: 524	First, if it has been in a swimming pool, there is probably a chemical residue. Chlorine in your display would be no good. Second, the pump is not designed for saltwater and would probably corrode quickly running the pump. my $0.02

09/14/2008, 08:14 AM	#3
rkelman Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Belleville, Ontario Canada Posts: 3,438	I would contact the maker of the pump and find out if it can handle salt water. Usually the seals etc are different not just the metal.

09/14/2008, 08:28 AM	#6
n2585722 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Tx Posts: 1,072	My 2 cents is that would be way too much pump for the size tnaks you have listed. I had a 24 foot pool and the pump would shoot a stream clear across the pool if aimed upward. You may end up with all of your water on your floor. The one I had metal was exposed to the water stream. Also I wouldn't trust what chemicals were exposed to the pump. If you use it replace ALL parts that are exposed to the water stream.

09/14/2008, 08:55 AM	#7
victor_c3 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York Posts: 513	Thanks for the replies. I'll contact the manufacturer as I scoured their webpage this morning and couldn't find any reference to salt water. The pump is a hayward pool products Power-Flow Matrix model number number SP550072. As far as too much flow goes, I've already brainstormed that if I have too much flow I'd could just divert some of the flow to an additional 200+ gallon tub that would get circulated through my sump. I've found a website that sells different fiberglass and polyethalyne tubs for aquaculter purposes really cheap. They have several 200 gallon tank options in the $400-$500 range. The price I'd pay for a new pump with less flow is about the same as I'd pay for one of these tanks. If I end up going the route with an extra water holding tank then I'd end up with that much more water volume for my system. The room in my basement is a good 8' x 12'-15' so I have plenty of room for extra tanks. oh yeah, a link to the aquaculter page: http://www.aquaticeco.com/categories...--Liners/97/0/ (this is the page with the tanks/tubs or try the main site at: http://www.aquaticeco.com

09/14/2008, 10:01 AM	#9
Spartanman22 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oswego Posts: 1,314	It should be fine. Lots of pools use salt nowadays versus chlorine so most newer pool pumps should be designed to work for both.

09/14/2008, 10:13 AM	#10
chucksta1 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: mississauga ont. Posts: 490	Oh yeah... It will work... It's just wwwaaayyyy overkill. a 1 hp with no restrictions will spit out over 1.5 gallons per second. It will also spit out copious ammounts of hot air out of the motor vents and add a lot of heat to the water. Also, it is designed to have a certain amount of restriction on the outflow, ( think pool jets). when there is no restriction on the outflow, you may have cavitation issues on the intake side. It'd do-able, but personally, I'd go with something more application specific, like an Iwaki... around a hundred bucks used on ebay. You could probably sell the pool pump for more than that.

09/14/2008, 10:21 AM	#11
rkelman Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Belleville, Ontario Canada Posts: 3,438	"It should be fine. Lots of pools use salt nowadays versus chlorine so most newer pool pumps should be designed to work for both." Should be fine is not good enough when you have thousands of dollars and countless hours invested... Many pools are still using chlorine additives. I don't know alot about the new setups but isn't the salt just an additive for the chlorine generator? I don't think the pools are "salt water"

09/14/2008, 10:48 AM	#12
n2585722 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Tx Posts: 1,072	Also don't forget pool pumps are loud. I could here mine inside the house with the air conditioner running. I don't think I would want that noise inside.

09/15/2008, 06:05 AM	#19
Dino Freak of Nature Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Finding my way back to the boondocks Posts: 11,048	I'd worry about a few of the things mentioned so far as well. I don't know about that specific pump but we have a big in ground pool that we use much more than just chlorine in. I'd have to look on the bottle just to see what the ingredients are but in the spring we use a really powerful algeacide that can take water that is BLACK and turn it sparkling clear within hours with only a few drops to 24,000 gallons. Our pool pump is pretty loud and it adds quite a bit of heat too (on a 24,000 gallon pool it'll keep it 5-10 degrees warmer than when it isn't running). As has been said, you can try it - but it might be more hassle than its worth. __________________ Cody I will love and miss you until the last beat of my heart Harley & Rusty.

09/15/2008, 09:37 AM	#20
RicksReefs Moved On Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In America's Dangling Junk State. Posts: 6,413	reading that it has a noryl impellor, I bet it has a brass insert in it for screwing onto the motor shaft. if it does, it's no good for SW.

09/15/2008, 02:08 PM	#21
chucksta1 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: mississauga ont. Posts: 490	In my pool pump, the intake and impeller are all plastic, there is metal in the shaft, but it's behind the ceramic seal. At that point, seal failure means the water leaks past the seal, not pulling water past the metal shaft.. the motor and impeller housing are two separate things.. Also, a lot of pumps are dual voltage and / or dual speed. When the pump runs 220V it costs less to run. Some have a dual speed system too, but you need to check the manufacturers webs site.

06/23/2018, 09:36 PM	#22
forneve1945 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 2	Hello I have a same problem but instead of using ceramic seal, chlorinator would be the better option.Using a socket or crescent wrench, remove the nut that is securing clamp together or loosen and remove the series of nuts and bolts. Some banded pumps have a hand knob instead of a nut holding the clamp together. Slide back the half of the pump assembly with the motor attached.