Pumps

[KY_AquaFramer]

Hi have a qustion will a swimming pool pump work.

[davidstcldfl]

Hey KY_AquaFramer, You sure can...Badflash was talking about the ones he is using, read...'Badfashes Grrenhouse Build'...page 4 or 5

On pump sizes....3 things your looking for...Head, volume and the wattage.
You may already know this stuff...'just incase you don't'..

head-the height you'll be asking the pump to 'lift' the water
The higher the head(lift) the less flow

volume -(of fish tank) I've been told to move the water in/out the tank 1 to 2 times an hour. (Lots of variables on the amount)

Wattage- you 'may' pay more for a quality pump, up front. But you'll save alot of elect.

Example...If your tank is a 1000 gals and you have 5 feet of head....
you'll look at a 'performance cuve' chart for a pump. It'll show the differant flow rates per foot of head. Look to see how much it can pump at 5 feet, if it's at least a 1000 gals ,that pump may be one you want.

If your adding oxygen by using a venturi, air stones/air pump, spray bar(s), falling water, baki towers, ect. This would effect your decission some too, you may be able to use the lower end of the 'flow amount'
fyi: I have a 'file' some where, that shows a test, of differant ways to add oxygen....the venturi's added the most, using the least electric to do so.
http://web.archive.org/web/200508280627 ... aerate.htm (http://web.archive.org/web/20050828062718/http://home.att.net/~oxymax/aerate.htm)

Hope this helps...

[badflash]

Flood and drain systems can get my on low flow pumps. My 80 watt intex pump is putting out 10 GPM for a 600 gallon pool. That is 1 GPM per barral with a cycle time of 20 minutes. So far so good.

A regular pool pump is big enough for about a 20,000 gallon system.