hottub pool pumps

huskerreef · 05/02/2006, 08:14 AM

is there a reason that I could not use a 1 HP pool pump for my reef set up? they look just like the Dolphins and Sequence pumps only they are half the price and the pool guy says they are quiet, as pool people do not want loud pumps whirring in there backyard. the impellors and wet end are nylon(plastic) so corosion is not an issue. may be i am missing something or the industry has us snowed into thinking we need to spend $400+ for a pump becuase it is for our "reef" set up therefore it has to be pricy or it isn't good enough. let me know

The Grim Reefer · 05/02/2006, 08:20 AM

After looking at a hot tub pump (which is way noisy) I wondered the same thing about the circulation pumps which are extremely quiet.

swellsearcher · 05/02/2006, 03:29 PM

I use an A O Smith pump which is intended for use for a spa. My local LFS has them for sale as a complete ready to install unit (if you go to AO's web site they just sell the motor and parts seperatly). Anyway, these pumps ( and most pool /spa pumps) are direct drive vs. mag drive which makes them ten times more reliable as well as effiecnt. For example.... the pump I use does 3000 gph @ 5ft ( I tested myself with a flow meter and it was about 2800+ due to a 90 in the way) and only draws 1.6 amps !!!Tey and get that kind of flow with that low of a power draw out of a fish pump... good luck ! My LFS sells this pump for about $225 I think (max $250). They come with a 5 year gurantee ( he has several running at the shop that have been going 10+ years). They are whisper quite and put off zero heat... you can touch the casing and it is only slightly warm. I will try to see if he wants to post any of these on RC under the vendor section. Otherwise if anyone wants you can PM me and maybe we can work something out

shadowman70 · 05/02/2006, 03:33 PM

Can anyone say LOUD

The Grim Reefer · 05/02/2006, 03:35 PM

I have a pretty top of the line Hot Tub and those main jet pumps would be way too loud.

shadowman70 · 05/02/2006, 03:36 PM

I tend to agree

SDguy · 05/02/2006, 03:41 PM

I don't know...my Sequence hammerhead was around $350. 5 year warranty (which, BTW, I would be concerned about with a spa pump when using on non approved applications ie salt water). And is pretty damn quiet. 5800gph. Amp draw not too bad for 1/3HP

swellsearcher · 05/02/2006, 04:03 PM

The pump is approved for saltwater ( it is actually approved for toxic / highly corosive fluids.) hammerhead draws double the amount of power for a little less than double the flow and is a great pump ( I own one of those as well). As far as noise goes the AO pump is significantly quiter than the hammerhead... in order to hear it you have to stick your head right next to it. My 23db fans are quite a bit louder than the pump.

Scuba_Dave · 05/02/2006, 06:14 PM

I would say that a lot of the people that make pool/spa pumps also make pumps for ponds/SW.
My hot tubs pumps (3!) are loud on high

Charles99 · 05/02/2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swellsearcher
I use an A O Smith pump which is intended for use for a spa. My local LFS has them for sale as a complete ready to install unit (if you go to AO's web site they just sell the motor and parts seperatly).... My LFS sells this pump for about $225 I think (max $250).

where is the shop located?

SDguy · 05/02/2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swellsearcher
The pump is approved for saltwater ( it is actually approved for toxic / highly corosive fluids.) hammerhead draws double the amount of power for a little less than double the flow and is a great pump ( I own one of those as well). As far as noise goes the AO pump is significantly quiter than the hammerhead... in order to hear it you have to stick your head right next to it. My 23db fans are quite a bit louder than the pump.

Well too bad word isn't out about these. Sounds like a well kept secret. Oh well, too late for me.

huskerreef · 05/02/2006, 09:39 PM

i would consider my dolphin 3450 a bit loud, but this pump will be in a fish room all by itself so a little noise isn't bad. besides $229 for a 1hp motor with wet end is worth a try. and the guy at the pool shop says if i don't like the way it works he'll take it back

swellsearcher · 05/05/2006, 01:27 PM

The shop is Black Coral Hawaii in Santa Ana. They are mainly wholesale but they allow the public to come in every thurs. - sat. 1-6 PM

05/02/2006, 08:14 AM	#1
huskerreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 1,169	hottub pool pumps is there a reason that I could not use a 1 HP pool pump for my reef set up? they look just like the Dolphins and Sequence pumps only they are half the price and the pool guy says they are quiet, as pool people do not want loud pumps whirring in there backyard. the impellors and wet end are nylon(plastic) so corosion is not an issue. may be i am missing something or the industry has us snowed into thinking we need to spend $400+ for a pump becuase it is for our "reef" set up therefore it has to be pricy or it isn't good enough. let me know

05/02/2006, 08:20 AM	#2
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	After looking at a hot tub pump (which is way noisy) I wondered the same thing about the circulation pumps which are extremely quiet. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

05/02/2006, 03:29 PM	#3
swellsearcher Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: socal Posts: 57	Great pumps !!! I use an A O Smith pump which is intended for use for a spa. My local LFS has them for sale as a complete ready to install unit (if you go to AO's web site they just sell the motor and parts seperatly). Anyway, these pumps ( and most pool /spa pumps) are direct drive vs. mag drive which makes them ten times more reliable as well as effiecnt. For example.... the pump I use does 3000 gph @ 5ft ( I tested myself with a flow meter and it was about 2800+ due to a 90 in the way) and only draws 1.6 amps !!!Tey and get that kind of flow with that low of a power draw out of a fish pump... good luck ! My LFS sells this pump for about $225 I think (max $250). They come with a 5 year gurantee ( he has several running at the shop that have been going 10+ years). They are whisper quite and put off zero heat... you can touch the casing and it is only slightly warm. I will try to see if he wants to post any of these on RC under the vendor section. Otherwise if anyone wants you can PM me and maybe we can work something out __________________ If your going to do it... do it right ! Current Tank Info: 240g,100g,75g hex (puffer tank)

05/02/2006, 03:35 PM	#5
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	I have a pretty top of the line Hot Tub and those main jet pumps would be way too loud. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

05/02/2006, 03:41 PM	#7
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	I don't know...my Sequence hammerhead was around $350. 5 year warranty (which, BTW, I would be concerned about with a spa pump when using on non approved applications ie salt water). And is pretty damn quiet. 5800gph. Amp draw not too bad for 1/3HP __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

05/02/2006, 03:33 PM	#4
shadowman70 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Castle Rock Co Posts: 145	Can anyone say LOUD

05/02/2006, 03:36 PM	#6
shadowman70 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Castle Rock Co Posts: 145	I tend to agree

05/02/2006, 04:03 PM	#8
swellsearcher Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: socal Posts: 57	The pump is approved for saltwater ( it is actually approved for toxic / highly corosive fluids.) hammerhead draws double the amount of power for a little less than double the flow and is a great pump ( I own one of those as well). As far as noise goes the AO pump is significantly quiter than the hammerhead... in order to hear it you have to stick your head right next to it. My 23db fans are quite a bit louder than the pump. __________________ If your going to do it... do it right ! Current Tank Info: 240g,100g,75g hex (puffer tank)

05/02/2006, 06:14 PM	#9
Scuba_Dave EMERTXE YID Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Asylum, South of Boston, MA Posts: 10,362	I would say that a lot of the people that make pool/spa pumps also make pumps for ponds/SW. My hot tubs pumps (3!) are loud on high

05/02/2006, 09:39 PM	#12
huskerreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 1,169	i would consider my dolphin 3450 a bit loud, but this pump will be in a fish room all by itself so a little noise isn't bad. besides $229 for a 1hp motor with wet end is worth a try. and the guy at the pool shop says if i don't like the way it works he'll take it back __________________ Jim G President of Nebraska's premiere reef club The Nebraska Reef Club Current Tank Info: 620 Mixed Reef, 240 Acan Lord, 90 Zoanthid...I think that plenty for now

05/05/2006, 01:27 PM	#13
swellsearcher Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: socal Posts: 57	The shop is Black Coral Hawaii in Santa Ana. They are mainly wholesale but they allow the public to come in every thurs. - sat. 1-6 PM __________________ If your going to do it... do it right ! Current Tank Info: 240g,100g,75g hex (puffer tank)