pressurized sand filter energy hog solutions?

..was just discussing this in another thread.. those sand filters need massive positive displacement pumps that can create huge amounts of head... so yes, they're way more expensive to run. Hayward sells their systems with 1HP - 1.5HP pumps... these are 15-20AMPs versus around 3 amps for the largest certrifical pump from say Reefeflo.

Hayward documentation for the filter itself suggests that its time to clear their sand filters when you see it gaining 10PSI in a day.. certrifical pumps can't even generate that in the first place.

Pond filters like the Ultimas are really low resistance in comparison.

spiff44 said:

..was just discussing this in another thread.. those sand filters need massive positive displacement pumps that can create huge amounts of head... so yes, they're way more expensive to run. Hayward sells their systems with 1HP - 1.5HP pumps... these are 15-20AMPs versus around 3 amps for the largest certrifical pump from say Reefeflo.

Hayward documentation for the filter itself suggests that its time to clear their sand filters when you see it gaining 10PSI in a day.. certrifical pumps can't even generate that in the first place.

Pond filters like the Ultimas are really low resistance in comparison.

Click to expand...

Please let me clarify...THESE FILTERS ARE IDENTICAL

I filled mine with sand bc it mechanically and biologically filters the water better, that's the hole point right?

If you want to perform routine maintenance once or twice a year then buy a pump that uses more energy to allow you to do that, you absolutely dont need anymore pump than what your probably already using you just can't wait 6 months to clean it.

You could toss your filter socks and plumb a cheap sand filter with the pump you already have and you wouldn't believe how much better they work.

my last 2 cents on this...

These are canister filters built and designed to filter enormous tanks...with a pump and media. Were taking the smallest one out there and putting it under our aquariums. I bought one because I was tired of cleaning canisters and failed at coming up with a way to back flush the ones I had because they aren't built strong enough to handle flow in both directions, pool filters are and all you have to do is turn a lever to reverse the water flow. Ive used gravel/sand in canisters and in trickle filters because its so much cheaper and does the same thing, prolly better. Same reason im using it in the pool filter. You can fill it with whatever you want and run it with whatever pump you want.

raideranch said:

Please let me clarify...THESE FILTERS ARE IDENTICAL

I filled mine with sand bc it mechanically and biologically filters the water better, that's the hole point right?

If you want to perform routine maintenance once or twice a year then buy a pump that uses more energy to allow you to do that, you absolutely dont need anymore pump than what your probably already using you just can't wait 6 months to clean it.

You could toss your filter socks and plumb a cheap sand filter with the pump you already have and you wouldn't believe how much better they work.

Click to expand...

they are not identical if one uses sand and the other doesn't. I was talking about this difference

also, you can't usually put sand in a pond filter as the sand would go right through it