Variable Speed Pool Pumps

[Lousybreed]

Looking to get some feedback on anyone that has or is using a pool pump on their large reef system. These new variable speed pumps look efficient and well built. Here is an example: https://bluetorrentpoolproducts.com/product/blue-thunder-vs-v/

with a VFD driven pump you can change the pumps speed thus changing flow rate and power consumption. These retail for about 600 -700 bucks so they are pretty competitively priced too.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I can't speak for this specific pump, but I can say it's possible to use pool pumps. At the National Aquarium in Baltimore we use pool pumps on a number of different systems. The brand of pumps are those you'd see in any pool supply store, like Hayward.

As a disclaimer I can't speak to any potential contamination issues. Most of the systems I see pool pumps on at the Aquarium have animals like rays, skates, jellies and other inverts. So I don't know if they'd be safe on a full blown reef tank. On the other hand, when I asked one of the aquarists about contamination issues with pool pumps, he said it's not a concern. He said that in general, pool pumps are becoming more and more similar in construction to hobby pumps and he doesn't think contamination would be a concern.

Personally I would not use a pool pump on my tank unless someone else had used it without issue, or unless it was some sort of fish only system where metal contamination was less of a concern.

 

[BZOFIQ]

How big a tank? How much flow are you trying to get?

 

[Lousybreed]

This is good info. I feel like if inverts can live in a system with a pool pump it should be good enough. However I get worried too. On the plus side they mass produce pool pumps when compared to an aquarium pump so I feel that they should be slightly better designed and have a better mechanical seal than your typical reef pump. I almost want to call a pool pump manufacturer and ask.

 

[Lousybreed]

How big a tank? How much flow are you trying to get?

Large system application for massive flow closed loop circulation applications. Looking for 10,000 gph.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Large system application for massive flow closed loop circulation applications. Looking for 10,000 gph.

I was going to recommend one of the Royal Exclusives @6340 GPH, but it looks like you need much more flow.

 

[User1]

I was going to recommend one of the Royal Exclusives @6340 GPH, but it looks like you need much more flow.

Royal Exclusives or Abyzz. I'd actually question the need of 10,000 gph especially in a closed loop. You can also cheat the system by using random flow nozzles to increase flow.

If you want to use a pool pump then find one that is in use for saltwater pool systems. There are a few to choose from that may help. I would wager they are built specifically to handle salt - unless they are using traditional water pumps. Not sure but figured I'd throw that out there.

 

[Lousybreed]

I was going to recommend one of the Royal Exclusives @6340 GPH, but it looks like you need much more flow.

I do like your recommendation!! I will poke a bit deeper....

 

[Lousybreed]

Royal Exclusives or Abyzz. I'd actually question the need of 10,000 gph especially in a closed loop. You can also cheat the system by using random flow nozzles to increase flow.

If you want to use a pool pump then find one that is in use for saltwater pool systems. There are a few to choose from that may help. I would wager they are built specifically to handle salt - unless they are using traditional water pumps. Not sure but figured I'd throw that out there.

Roger that. Flow demands for a 6’x12’x18” deep frag flat changes flow requirements considerably. And yeah plus one on eductor nozzles. Those will be used too.

 

[Lousybreed]

Royal Exclusives or Abyzz. I'd actually question the need of 10,000 gph especially in a closed loop. You can also cheat the system by using random flow nozzles to increase flow.

If you want to use a pool pump then find one that is in use for saltwater pool systems. There are a few to choose from that may help. I would wager they are built specifically to handle salt - unless they are using traditional water pumps. Not sure but figured I'd throw that out there.

I really like the Royal Exclusiv pumps. Do you have some that you are using. It looks like there isn’t a mechanical seal like a reeflo so that is a plus. Quite expensive though.

 

[tvan]

Sta-rite used to use copper around the shaft seal and cheap stainless screws in their pumps. Brass in their impellers. Hayward didn't have alot of metal inside their pump housing.. Off brands seemed to use what was on hand. But that was 20 years ago.

 

[User1]

I really like the Royal Exclusiv pumps. Do you have some that you are using. It looks like there isn’t a mechanical seal like a reeflo so that is a plus. Quite expensive though.

I do not. I do not have a tank large enough in my opinion. My recent upgrade is 210 gallons but sized as: 54 x 30 x 30. I run redundant Cor pumps. A Cor 15 and a Cor 20. I know that seems odd but the Cor 15 plugs directly into the energy bar while the Cor 20 is in a traditional outlet. I run the Cor 20 outside the energy bar to isolate it should something happen to the other Cor pump or the energy bar. We had a power surge into our neighborhood which tripped the main circuit breakers on most homes in our area. Interesting enough the energy bar tripped and in the process I lost the power supply or 1 link inside it. The Cor 20 on the other wall outlet keep the tank circulation going giving me time to assess the rest of the. house and work through its issues.

Two things I had to change during my build that I didn't factor in due to the size. First mistake was using dry Pukani rock. Originally I planning on using TBS. I didn't properly calculate the amount and so my rock budget was over . Second mistake was on pumps. I was considering Royal Exclusive and the Abyzz due to quality, longevity from other hobbyists feedback, and future upgrade (buy once, reuse as I upgrade knowing I will at least one more time). Cost got in the way of both at the time so I used dry rock and the Cor pumps.

The upfront or initial cost sometimes can be a bit daunting but if you look at the bigger picture I think it makes sense in the end. Dollar for dollar and future reuse makes it stand out to me. Probably why I'm putting aside slush money to buy one.

But no, I do not own one. Down the road here probably within a year I may. I think something that is the heart of the system shouldn't be skimped on. I know I don't do that with my scuba diving gear (regulators for example).

 

[BZOFIQ]

I really like the Royal Exclusiv pumps. Do you have some that you are using. It looks like there isn’t a mechanical seal like a reeflo so that is a plus. Quite expensive though.

It's more than the pump you were looking at but they are very high quality and much smaller.

I didn't recommend Abyzz in your case because I knew you wanted something on a smaller budget. Abyzz pumps are monsters though and have an extremely high head. 10-Year warranty too.

 

[92Miata]

Roger that. Flow demands for a 6’x12’x18” deep frag flat changes flow requirements considerably. And yeah plus one on eductor nozzles. Those will be used too.

Why did you choose a closed loop for a system like this? Closed loops are primarily used because they minimize equipment in the tank for aesthetic reasons - not on frags tanks.

It would be much easier to achieve such flow using stream pumps.

 

[hllb]

Well, all I can say is that we really regret getting a variable speed pump for our pool. It's never worked very well. We have a very long run and are pushing water onto the roof for a solar heater too, and it doesn't handle it very well. Not sure if the issue would happen on a fish tank or not.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Well, all I can say is that we really regret getting a variable speed pump for our pool. It's never worked very well. We have a very long run and are pushing water onto the roof for a solar heater too, and it doesn't handle it very well. Not sure if the issue would happen on a fish tank or not.

I wonder how well a properly sized Abyzz would do in pool applications. Technically, it should have no problems with applications like yours.

 

[hllb]

I wonder how well a properly sized Abyzz would do in pool applications. Technically, it should have no problems with applications like yours.

We're looking to replace it but haven't done much research yet. Our current one is a Sta-Rite model.