hot tub/ spa pump for cl??

[justinm0424]

Hey,
My dad got rid of his hottub and i kept the pump. It's a two stage pump and it doesn't tell how much gph. I was thinking about using the low for nighttime and the high during the day. The pump has a dry end and a wet end and the dry end i think says 3/4 hp. Is it ok for me to use this kind of pump in my reef tank? i checked online and it seems like hot tub pumps are cheaper than larger reef pumps. Is there a reason for this? also does anyone use hottub pumps for their tank?

 

[NCreefwannabe]

I would not use this pump. its likely not setup to withstand saltwater for one. and two; you dont know whats ben put threw it as far as chemicals go.

 

[silverwolf72]

Hot tubs do not generaly have saltwater seals. If you could get a housing with the correct seals I see no reason for it not to work.

 

[justinm0424]

so if it doesn't have the seals it just might leak right? I was thinking about the seals but thought that i might only have a saltcreep problem. Couldn't I just replace the seals without replacing the whole housing? also are the seals actually different than other seals?

 

[NCreefwannabe]

its not that itll leak now. but the insides have metal exposed. freshwater and that isnt a big deal. But now think of how much saltwater itll see all the time. itll corrode, cause it to put rust into the tank, and leak later.

 

[silverwolf72]

You should also check if it has a metal of plastic impeller. You need the plastic ones. The seals are coated the resist coroding from the Salt

 

[justinm0424]

i just read the side of the dry end and the
low speed is
3/16 HP
3.8 amps
1725 RPM

High speed is
1.5 HP
16.9 amps
3450 RPM

Is this pump way too powerful for my 40gal tank? does anyone know a calc that can find approx how many gph it will produce?

Thanks for the replys

 

[silverwolf72]

GPH would depent on the impelar so I'm sure if you could figure it out by just the RPM. Try looking for some litature on line or call the company I'm sure they give either G/h or G/m.

 

[NaH2Ofreak]

Umm...ya...I think it might be a little much for a 40gal tank.

 

[tkeracer619]

my hot tub pumps take 40 gallons just to fill ^^. But its a big hot tub. Has as much hp as my lawnmower :lol:

 

[HotRod68Camaro]

Unless you have the pump in a seperate room it would louder than you like.

 

[justinm0424]

Yes I just turned it on and it's way too loud for my setup. thanks everyone

 

[TKByrnes]

besides how loud they are and if they can handle the saltwater they arent meant to be run 24/7 it will burn out quick. a buddy of mine tried one out to see how long it would last running 24/7 with saltwater and it lasted 2 weeks.