Pumps from Home Depot for return pump?

[MarinePaethor]

I was in Home Depot a couple of days ago and happened to walk by the section with all of the pumps that they sell. I am currently in to process of assembling all the needed equipment to switch out the canister filter I am currently using for a sump set up. Out of curiosity I was wondering if anyone has any experience with or knows if general utility pumps like the ones they sell at Home Depot or Lowes would work as a return pump for a sump? Some of them are rated pretty high gph-wise. I am just trying to explore all of my options.

Thanks for any advice and info you can offer.

[billdogg]

I use one for the water change barrel (55g), BUT it does not stay in the water. It is there just long enough to make the transfer then removed. I would be shocked if there was not some exposed metal in there. FWIW - when this pumps fails, I will be replacing it with a mag drive maybe, or something similar that can stay submerged. I absolutely WOULD NOT use one as my main pump for my tank. They also transmit a huge amount of heat.

[WXB]

A pump is a pump. Look for GPH thats the most important part. just make sure you keep it in a place that you can get to it. have cut off valves to make things nice and simple.

[ludiNano]

Originally Posted by WXB

A pump is a pump. Look for GPH thats the most important part. just make sure you keep it in a place that you can get to it. have cut off valves to make things nice and simple.

Not really... not all pumps are made to handle salt water and will corrode/rust quite easly. Not to mention the types of metals that could be used in those pumps if theres copper in them it could mean devastating consequences for coral.

I would choose a pump ment for salt aquarium uses.

[docstomper]

I would not buy a pump from home depot for your fish tank. Two Reasons

First: What everyone has said already. Metal leaking, heat...

Second: Electricity. Those pumps suck a TON of electricity. Nice Aquarium pumps are more expensive because they usually use much less electricity.

[mchud]

Like they said above. A pump is not just a pump. Yes they all pump water but thats it. Anytime you have a pump running 24 7 you really need tom make sure they are efficient and reliable. For a example i have a large koi pond just by upgrading the main pump i cut about $80 a month off my electric bill. You spend a little more at time of purchase but get it back fast in power savings. Along with knowing that it will serve your needs reliably. Why spend all this money on lighting livestock etc and cheep out on a pump. use cheep pumps for water transfer and stay with the good ones for 24 7.

[BeanAnimal]

Originally Posted by WXB

A pump is a pump. Look for GPH thats the most important part. just make sure you keep it in a place that you can get to it. have cut off valves to make things nice and simple.

Not by a long shot

There significant differences between pumps designed for marine environments and those for freshwater. To that end, not all pumps suited for marine use are suitable (safe) for connection to your reef.

The seals, pump shaft and other wetted materials MUST be designed for marine use and also reef safe (no copper or other metals that can contaminate the water).

[mattiej]

Another consideration is that many of the pumps at HD are oil filled and can wipe out a tank if this oil ever leaks into the system. Take it from a guy who wiped out his wife's Koi pond by cheaping out on the pump.

[moondoggy4]

MarinePaethor your are in a good spot you have over 90 post so you can buy from the used forum.
What size tank do you have?
Are you going to be running a sump?
What equipment do you have?
You can start with a shopping list and start buying everything you need at least a 50 % savings from the internet price which is a lot cheaper than retail.

[Booeenie]

I use a cheap HD one for water changes but that's it. I vacuum tank into brute, put cheap pump in a 5 gallon bucket next to brute (the cheap pumps leak pretty bad), and run a tube upstairs, out the window, and along the fence line. Some are oil filled, other just have exposed metal.

[purge43]

My Hd pump has just become an issue. Its one of those waterbed water transfer pumps(the $90 model). But I have been using it weekly for maybe 5 years. I use it to transfer ro/di to my mixing drum when I mix up salt, and also to transfer ro-di to my make up drum. the problem is that the brushes for the motor have worn out and Im having a heck of a time finding replacements. I did find online a place that sells brushes but they are $30 a set plus shipping and Im not 100% sure they will work( the product descriptions are confusing ie old style or new style pump) I know if i order the one set it will be wrong. So do I fool around online and posibly spend $70 on getting brushes or spend another 20 and get a new pump. I have had mine apart several times and there definately is metal inside, two plates and the shaft for the impeller is metal and grease has to be applied to the impeller periodically( I use the silicone from lfs for gasket and O-ring seals). I definately would not use one for a sump return. Also you havent described your system, depending on the size and distance you surely could get away with a mag drive or a maxi-jet, they are cheap and imo very dependable. And maybe even cheaper then the hd pumps(the mag drives I know for sure are).

[Bugcrusher]

I have used them off and on myself. You have to look and make sure they are pond pumps and therfore rated for continous underwater use. I use a smaller basemanr sump pump to mis my saltwater and for fill/refill ops.

[BeanAnimal]

Originally Posted by Bugcrusher

I have used them off and on myself. You have to look and make sure they are pond pumps and therfore rated for continous underwater use. I use a smaller basemanr sump pump to mis my saltwater and for fill/refill ops.

Again, if the pump is not designed for MARINE, then it should not be used. Furhtermore, even if it is listed for MARINE use, then you also need to ensure that it is reef safe. There are many materails used in "pond" or "marine" pumps that are not suitable for use on a reef aquarium. It only takes a very small amount of copper to destroy your reef system.

[rwb500]

Originally Posted by WXB

A pump is a pump. Look for GPH thats the most important part. just make sure you keep it in a place that you can get to it. have cut off valves to make things nice and simple.

lol.

[BeanAnimal]

We all have different areas of expertise and/or knowledge. You can't pick on a guy for offering bad advice if he didn't know it was bad advice.

[dogstar74]

One of the best all purpose pumps for small stuff is the Little giants. They have a very defined parts list and parts are easily aquired by most local plumbing shops. You don't even have to go online most of the time, but you can if you want.

There are more efficient pumps than the LGs though, so for constant use, I'd search out the more efficient pumps. They'll cost more, sometimes WAY more, but they use tens of watts instead of hundreds of watts, and can really pay for themselves over the long haul.

With pumps, you know they are going to fail or clog or need to be taken offline eventually. So either buy two so you have a spare, or buy the parts that normally breakdown like the impellor shaft. Many of the great aquarium pumps have replaceable shaft so if the ceramic breaks etc. Might as well buy the replacement when you buy the pump to minimize the panic if it ever goes down.

Just my .02
Aaron

[strgazr27]

I used a HD pump on my wifes pond for exactly 7 months. Why? That's how long each one lasted. Spent the money on a pump made for the purpose and never looked back. IMO there are areas in this hobby where you can save money and some areas you shouldn't. This is one of those areas.

[becon776]

reviving a wicked old thread wondering if cam use hime depot sump pump for water changes getting rodi to mixxjng container and gettung nsw frim basement into tank.

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