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Swimming pool pump, sump pump I have a swimming pool pump, can I use it to make a fountain for my pond?
You can use a swimming pool pump to make a fountain, but the question should be, is it worth it? The following information is taken from the suppliers website. "Outlet port 2 inch diameter. Max head 12m. Power consumption 550 watts" First The first thing to consider is how are you going to mount it in your pool? You can't, being as its a swimming pool pump its designed to be mounted in a dry pump chamber, which for a small pool fountain is not worth it. Pipe work Then you have to ask yourself how are you going to connect pipe work to it? being 2 inch you will need 2 inch pipe work, which is not cheap, Also you will need 2 pipes, one for inlet one for outlet. (Flow and return) The inlet pipe will also require a strainer (Yes the pump has an integral strainer, but the inlet pipe also needs one) We have since been asked why the inlet pipe needs a strainer if the pump has one built in. Its to sop anything from being sucked into the pipe in the first place such as a small ball, or worse still a small child's arm or leg. Nozzle What nozzle are you going to put on it? as its got a 2 inch outlet If you can install a vulkan 200 /19-6T (see our components site) which has a 2 inch inlet, you may be surprised to learn it will not work. (Using suppliers website information) This is because swimming pool pumps are designed to pump high volumes of water at little pressure. So you decide to reduce the output port to say one inch, the pipe diameter will reduce the flow rate, but you should be able to use a 1 inch foaming nozzle that will give a height of around 1 metre. Finally? So now we are getting some where, or are we? How are you going to support the nozzle? All commercial fountains that have large diameter pipes have the pipes installed during pool construction so they are supported / held in position by concrete. So that means you have to build a concrete pool. (It can be done, but this is for a garden pool remember) Assuming you do build a concrete pool (To support the nozzle), dedicated pump chamber spent a lot of money doing it. You have forgotten one thing. How much will it cost to run? the swimming pool pump shown uses 550 watts even our biggest small fountain pump only uses 260 watts, it can produce a higher jet, does not need separate dry pump chamber and can be added to an existing pool in minutes. Conclusion You decide for your self, is it worth it. _____________________________ Can I use a sump pump for my fountain? Yes you can. But we would not recommend it, for more information see our page here _____________________________ Can a fountain or water feature have a mains par 38 lamp in it? About 25 years ago you could have brought a mains light for your fountain, but in the U.K. and Europe you can no longer buy a mains light for use in or near water If you have a fountain question please do not hesitate to send it in |
