DYI HOB and return

[fyrfytr]

So spring has sprung here (although it did snow here on the first day of spring) and I started looking towards the outdoor section of my local big box retailers...and it got me thinking. Why spend a lot of $ on these name brand return pumps, couldn't I just use one of the pond type ones? Go one step farther, come close to matching the GPH output of the pump with a HOB filter...drill a hole in the filter...and bam, instant overflow.
My thought (could be way wrong)...since the HOB filter runs on the same electric as the return pump, there would be no need for worry about a overflow of the sump in the event of a power failure. Additionally, since the water is mechanically removed there would be no syphon break issue as well.
Am i thinking out of my butt here, or could my feeble brain be onto something?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Am i thinking out of my butt here, or could my feeble brain be onto something?

Yes and No, respectively. :smile:


You never want to try and "balance" two pumps.


Go Glass-holes and never look back!


And one of the most popular "pond" pumps is a pump a lot of us use.....Danner MAG's....the only difference in the one you buy at your LFS and a pond store is the length of the cord.

 

[fyrfytr]

Yes and No, respectively. :smile:


You never want to try and "balance" two pumps.

Thanks for making me feel good and crappy all at the same time.

Go Glass-holes and never look back!

That sounds all well and good....but the one tank is wet already with occupants

And one of the most popular "pond" pumps is a pump a lot of us use.....Danner MAG's....the only difference in the one you buy at your LFS and a pond store is the length of the cord.

Yes but at like Lowes and Wal-Mart the pumps are somewhat cheap

 

[Reefs-A-Lot]

you can run into seal problems long term with the ones at lowes and walmart- Danner MAG's are designed for both fresh and salt