Thunderstorm Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 Hiya's another question from me (and not the last probaly) Is a spa pool pump ok to use on a large tank? its not a big one but larger than most pumps in the fishy shops. I can reduce the flow with a valve, I was going to try it but thought i woud get some input first, I cant really see a problem apart from noise if its a loud one as the tank is in the lounge. Thanx Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 spa pool pumps cant run 24x7 i dont believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midas Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 has it got any metal parts that may corrode? also what is the wattage? it may get expensive to run 24/7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderstorm Posted November 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 Its made by email industries in NZ , Its 2.9 amps continuous, Its actually an idler pump for when the pool isnt in use but still want to keep the flow going, its a normal electric moter with a plastic pump bolted on the front, havent pulled it apart yet to check for metal bits, was about to fire it up to check the noise level. Thanx peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 What you want is a magnetic driven pump instead. Low heat exchange and quieter in operation. Probably cheaper in electricity costs too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 How big and what kind of tank are you going to need a 700 watt pump on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 A comparitive product would be the Iwaki MD70RLT. It draws about 3 amps and pumps just over 5,500 lph at 4 foot of head. Personally I'd spend the money and get a better, more reliable, 24x7 and 'built for the job' pump! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderstorm Posted November 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 Its only a 6ft tank x 2 ft x 2 ft , I found the pump in my junk pile, i been collecting all kinds of crap for this tank setup for the last year or so lol, Just sorting through it all and seeing what i can use an what i cant. I fired it up, its not too noisey at all, i was suprised, the impeller is all plastic so no metal bits. I cant really afford to buy a flash pump. (i seen some prices in the fishy shops and they scared me a little lol) Most things i can do myself. Thanx Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderstorm Posted November 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 thanx chimera, i looked at the price on that, $289.00 US but that was only one site. I dont need one that grunty but i can reduce the flow with a valve and im limited by my wallet too lol Oh and limited by time as well, so far taken a year to collect some stuff, had the tank made and been sitting in me lounge for last 3 months, my friends call it the glass coffee table, lol finally made the stand last weekend, Its sitting in my kitchen at the moment and my friends have been calling it the "kitchen island" lol Taking a long time heh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBlog Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 I know lots of people as well as LFS's that use spa pumps 24/7. The seals do go out after a while. I'm told that they need to be replace about once a year, but it really isn't a big issue. Davey actually makes a larger pump similar to the spa pumps that is specifically for salt water applications. I was going to get one myself since they are relatively cheap compared to "aquarium" pumps for equivalent grunt, e.g. brand new for under/around $400. The reason that I didn't go that route is because of the electricity consumption. I opted for the Dolphin Aqua Sea Series World Version (240V). Pretty good grunt for the price, very quiet and very low electricity consumption compared to the spa pumps as well as other aquarium pumps of equal size. For example, the Iwaki MD70RLT (you quoted $289US below) draws 3 amps for 5500 lph at 4' head, where the Amp Master 2100 ($218US+shipping,etc...) draws less than 1 amp for 7950 lph at 7' head. The Iwaki's are certainly great pumps with an excellent reputation for running forever without a problem. However, the Dolphins, Sequence, etc... are also quite good pumps for possibly a smaller draw on the wallet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midas Posted November 11, 2004 Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 yep, I'd be worried about the running cost of using that spa pump if I was you. At a rough estimation, a 700W running 24/7 is going to cost about $110 dollars a month to run (assuming 21.5c per kWh). At that rate its not going to take too long to pay off a new pump that uses less juice. My 90W pump (Resun King-4) does around 3000L/H at 2m of head, it only cost NZ$121, and I am using it on my 1.6m*0.6m*0.6m tank to run my DIY trickle filter which provides plenty of filtration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderstorm Posted November 11, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 Thanx everyone for your input Certainly gives me somethng to think about. I'll use it during the initial testing stages of the tank (never tested it yet) and in the meantime save up for a new one i think Thanx Heaps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 11, 2004 Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 There are also pumps like the Sequence dart that are supposed to be really good, 90 watts, 13.5K L at 0' head for about $500, but that's off reefonline.com.au, so it'd likely be cheaper from the US if they can get you a 240 volt model. Not quite the bang for the buck as the Resun, Though, I think that $120 is better than you'd get anywhere retail? but it does use a lot less power than 3 of the resuns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midas Posted November 11, 2004 Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 $120 was retail, but I have seen them for up to $240 as well. You just have to shop around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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