Pool pump for circulation?

[Henry M]

Has anyone ever used a pool pump for circulation on their aquarium? :? I have access to a new 3/4 hp hayward pool pump rated at 60gpm and was wondering if this would be acceptable to use. The guy selling the pump said there might be an upgrade on the gasket to help protect against the salt. The price on the pump is about $60 and looks much like the ampmaster series. I don't see a problem but maybe I'm just blinded by the price.

thanks

Henry

 

[Anonymous]

$60 dollars is a ridiculously low price - make sure it works You'll probably need to install better seals though.

 

[Kendall]

I would be concerned about heat and noise.

 

[GSchiemer]

I used the 3/4 hp Hayward pump to circulate water through my 500 gallon reef aquarium up until one year ago. No better value for the money.

Greg Schiemer

 

[The Pirate]

I would be interested in the amount of Amps it draws. you might spend $60 for the pump but $$$ to run it month in and month out. The Dolphin AmpMaster only draws 1 Amp to run over 3,000 gph. I replaced a Iwaki 100 at 3.4 Amps with one and expect it to pay for itself over the long haul. Also, if the Hayes uses big Amps you might be over your breakers limits if you have big reef lighting, chiller ect... Just something to consider. :roll:

 

[epon]

I 've heard a few times these pumps are great, no personal experience though. I'm also curious the difference in amp draw between the Amp Master and the Hayward.

 

[brokekyle]

The Dolphin AmpMaster only draws 1 Amp to run over 3,000 gph

some folks will believe anything 8O

 

[rbaker]

A recent pole on RC shows the average Ampmaster draws 1.2 - 1.8 amps with many drawing over 2 amps...

HTH,

Ryan

 

[The Pirate]

some folks will believe anything

Your right, my mistake, it does say right on the side of the motor 1.3 amps :roll:

Personal observation about this pump is it's useless as anything but a return pump. Do not get it to drive a skimmer. It does not take back pressure very well at all. I feed the inlet with a 18 inch long 2 inch pipe and have a 1 inch outlet to a 1 inch Sea Swirl and know i got better flow into the drain with my old Iwaki 40RLXT that was rated at 1200 gph at 4 foot of head. This pump should be plumbed with 2 inch flex-pvc on both sides to get the high flow rates. I have seen this pump plumbed this way then "T"ed to 4 1 inch return lines and it is nothing less then amazing.

 

[Henry M]

Greg,
How was your electric bill b/f and then after replacing the hayward? Just curious, any big problems.

Thanks

Henry

 

[GSchiemer]

Greg,
How was your electric bill b/f and then after replacing the hayward? Just curious, any big problems.

Thanks

Henry

The Hayward pump is relatively efficient. All the direct drive pumps are. I replaced it with a more expensive Sequence pump a year ago, hoping to save electricity and cut down on the noise, but it didn't happen. Remember that these are high-RPM pumps and can handle head pressure up to almost 80 feet! My Sequence pump can move 5,000 gph at 14 feet of head. That's a real number. You'll never do that with a low-RPM pump. I tried a few of these "efficient" pumps and found that they couldn't do the job. The published specs on the Dolphin pumps, for example, are pure fantasy.

I never had a problem with a Hayward pump, based on experience with three of them. They are workhorses. You will have to replace the seal every two years, but that's a minor cost and the parts can be purchased from just about any pool supply store.

Greg Schiemer

 

[RGibson]

Greg the Hayward powerfol pump that you used did not do to bad useing it in salt water. Could you tell us how much the ele cost to run your 500 gal tank with the 400 watt lights in up state New York it would help as all because of the years that you have it running. RGibson

 

[GSchiemer]

Greg the Hayward powerfol pump that you used did not do to bad useing it in salt water. Could you tell us how much the ele cost to run your 500 gal tank with the 400 watt lights in up state New York it would help as all because of the years that you have it running. RGibson

I have so many lights and pumps running that I couldn't isolate the cost of just the 500 gallon tank. Frankly, I'm not sure that I want to know In addition to the 500, I have another 250 gallons of reef aquariums with various HQI lighting, pumps, etc. The 3/4 HP Hayward pump probably uses 9 amps continuous at 120 volts. You can figure out the cost for yourself.

Greg Schiemer