220 volt return pump

brubakron · 03/23/2013, 01:35 PM

Building a fish room, and the electrician asked if I would like a 220v outlet for the return pump. He has experience with pool pumps where they run quieter, and are more efficient. I read a few threads, but would like some additional feedback. So far it seems as if though I wouldn't gain much with the 220v outlet, and it would limit the pumps that I would be able to purchase. This will be for a 265 gallon in wall, with 100 to 150 sump. Thanks for the input.

Rognin · 03/23/2013, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brubakron

Building a fish room, and the electrician asked if I would like a 220v outlet for the return pump. He has experience with pool pumps where they run quieter, and are more efficient. I read a few threads, but would like some additional feedback. So far it seems as if though I wouldn't gain much with the 220v outlet, and it would limit the pumps that I would be able to purchase. This will be for a 265 gallon in wall, with 100 to 150 sump. Thanks for the input.

The pumps used in home aquaria have to be plastic where water contact is involved (metal ions are bad for inverts). So I doubt pool pumps are a good choice...

brubakron · 03/23/2013, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rognin

The pumps used in home aquaria have to be plastic where water contact is involved (metal ions are bad for inverts). So I doubt pool pumps are a good choice...

I should clarify, i am not going to put in a pool pump. I would use one made for an aquarium, but am wondering about a pump that runs on 220volts. The electrician knows that larger pumps run quieter at 220 volts, and is talking in reference to pool pumps. I am wondering if the same would be true for an aquarium pump, and if it is worth putting in an outlet at 220 volts.

Devil Man · 03/23/2013, 01:54 PM

well im sure if you look into larger euro spec return pumps you should easily find a 220v pump since thats what they run across the pond. 220v is better

Rognin · 03/23/2013, 01:58 PM

Well I think that's pretty much true. My D5 vario pumps for my computer are rated 12-24VDC. They run much better on 24v, so if your return pump is rated 110-220 you can plug in a 220 outlet. Just make sure the pump is rated to work on that voltage, it's normally written in the manual or on the pump itself.

jerpa · 03/23/2013, 01:59 PM

I would check with the manufacturer to make sure the higher frequency of our power won't effect the pump if you look at European models. You will likely have to change the plug as well. I personally wouldn't go through the hassle and would stick with a standard pump. There will be very little efficiency gain in your situation. Much of the savings come from installation savings in 220 volt applications.

Paul B · 03/23/2013, 02:03 PM

They should not run quieter but they are smaller, that is the only advantage.
(Master electrician 40 years)

username in use · 03/23/2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rognin

The pumps used in home aquaria have to be plastic where water contact is involved (metal ions are bad for inverts). So I doubt pool pumps are a good choice...

Many if not most pool pumps only have plastics come in contact with the water. I know of multiple large systems that use Hayward pool pumps.

azjohnny · 03/23/2013, 03:05 PM

If you double the voltage you will decrease the amp draw drastically making it a lot more efficient. Amps= heat

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Rognin · 03/23/2013, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azjohnny

If you double the voltage you will decrease the amp draw drastically making it a lot more efficient. Amps= heat

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nope, that's wrong. Watts = heat

If you up the voltage, reduce the amperage you get about the same amount of watts.

SGT_York · 03/23/2013, 04:14 PM

there is no such thing as 220 in most homes in the US. We use two phase 110, which is just two 110s run in opposite polarities. makes no difference with heating elements but a big difference in motors. So going from 110 to 220 will not affect amps or watts. Now if you could get three phase into your home that motor would be efficient.

azjohnny · 03/23/2013, 04:21 PM

A given component such as a motor will draw X amount of wattage no matter what, and if you increase the voltage the amps will go down to stay with the Amps X Voltage = Watts. Electricity is more efficient at higher voltages

Paul B · 03/23/2013, 07:06 PM

Quote:

there is no such thing as 220 in most homes in the US.

Correct, it is 208 in most places in the US

jerpa · 03/23/2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azjohnny

If you double the voltage you will decrease the amp draw drastically making it a lot more efficient. Amps= heat

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not in this situation. It will make a slight difference because the motor would run ever so slightly cooler and you would lose slightly less conducting the power to the pump. The difference would be beyond negligible.

brubakron · 03/24/2013, 01:44 PM

After researching different options, and getting input from multiple sources I am still in the middle on if I want to run a pump at 220 volts. I am going to have the electrician (most likely) run a couple of 220 volt boxes, that way I will have the option if I choose to run a pump or other equipment at 220 volts. I am not planning on using a chiller because the tank will be in the basement, but we will see once the tank is up and running. I would consider running a chiller too at 220 volts if needed.

03/23/2013, 01:35 PM	#1
brubakron Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 178	220 volt return pump Building a fish room, and the electrician asked if I would like a 220v outlet for the return pump. He has experience with pool pumps where they run quieter, and are more efficient. I read a few threads, but would like some additional feedback. So far it seems as if though I wouldn't gain much with the 220v outlet, and it would limit the pumps that I would be able to purchase. This will be for a 265 gallon in wall, with 100 to 150 sump. Thanks for the input.

03/23/2013, 01:54 PM	#4
Devil Man Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Naples, Fl ( hurricane valley;-)) Posts: 616	well im sure if you look into larger euro spec return pumps you should easily find a 220v pump since thats what they run across the pond. 220v is better __________________ "My dremel spins at 20k and 30k rpm. Is that enough? Its not one of those puny little girly-man hand dremels. This is Arnold Schwartzeneggerr type stuff were talking here."-qwuintus hahaha Current Tank Info: 58 gl with 20+ gl sump

03/23/2013, 01:58 PM	#5
Rognin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 387	Well I think that's pretty much true. My D5 vario pumps for my computer are rated 12-24VDC. They run much better on 24v, so if your return pump is rated 110-220 you can plug in a 220 outlet. Just make sure the pump is rated to work on that voltage, it's normally written in the manual or on the pump itself. __________________ Fish Stock: N/A, starting over Corals: Want SPS, LPS with zoas Current Tank Info: Custom 145 gallon.

03/23/2013, 01:59 PM	#6
jerpa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,174	I would check with the manufacturer to make sure the higher frequency of our power won't effect the pump if you look at European models. You will likely have to change the plug as well. I personally wouldn't go through the hassle and would stick with a standard pump. There will be very little efficiency gain in your situation. Much of the savings come from installation savings in 220 volt applications. __________________ Jer Current Tank Info: 40b basement sump, 40b refugium, 30g frag

03/23/2013, 02:03 PM	#7
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	They should not run quieter but they are smaller, that is the only advantage. (Master electrician 40 years) __________________ I used to get shocked when I put my hand in my tank. Then the electric eel went dead. Current Tank Info: 100 gal reef set up in 1971

03/23/2013, 03:05 PM	#9
azjohnny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gold Canyon Posts: 2,914	If you double the voltage you will decrease the amp draw drastically making it a lot more efficient. Amps= heat Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

03/23/2013, 04:14 PM	#11
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	there is no such thing as 220 in most homes in the US. We use two phase 110, which is just two 110s run in opposite polarities. makes no difference with heating elements but a big difference in motors. So going from 110 to 220 will not affect amps or watts. Now if you could get three phase into your home that motor would be efficient.

03/23/2013, 04:21 PM	#12
azjohnny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gold Canyon Posts: 2,914	A given component such as a motor will draw X amount of wattage no matter what, and if you increase the voltage the amps will go down to stay with the Amps X Voltage = Watts. Electricity is more efficient at higher voltages

03/24/2013, 01:44 PM	#15
brubakron Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 178	After researching different options, and getting input from multiple sources I am still in the middle on if I want to run a pump at 220 volts. I am going to have the electrician (most likely) run a couple of 220 volt boxes, that way I will have the option if I choose to run a pump or other equipment at 220 volts. I am not planning on using a chiller because the tank will be in the basement, but we will see once the tank is up and running. I would consider running a chiller too at 220 volts if needed.