is there any reason I cant use a pool pump and sand filter as my return pump from my sump? would be ideal I would have thought??

Have you had a look at the wattage of those pumps? most of them have very high wattages.

Maybe a cheaper option to look at a fluid bed?

Just what is a fluid bed? :-?

I have visions of a waterbed bladder set into a lawn next to an outdoor pond :lol: . Could be a very nice way to watch the goldfish, especially on a nice summers day with a glass of bubbles 8)

Just what is a fluid bed? :-?

I have visions of a waterbed bladder set into a lawn next to an outdoor pond :lol: . Could be a very nice way to watch the goldfish, especially on a nice summers day with a glass of bubbles 8)

:lol: nice

They are a filter. They use a very fine sand as the filter media

Fluidized bed filters are one of the best choices for planted aquariums. The filter will not drive off the valuable CO2, yet it is efficient and very low maintenance. Although the bacterial bed takes longer to establish, once it is set up it does not have to be disturbed when performing maintenance, as other filtration systems must

Pool pumps are also noisy,

I had 1 in my fish room connected to a 30 micron pre-filter.

But as the cold of winter ended it caused the temp to go over 30C ( that was with a ventilation fan going 24/7 ), THE HIGHER WATTAGE IS TRANSFERRED as heat to the water.

As for sand filters they are pre-filters - needing a back wash from time to time for cleaning.

I change the pool pump to a couple of aquarium pumps and filter wool above the trickle filter and the water is just as clear as long as the wool is changed weekly, that is for a 2000lt system.