Need help!!

[uriah]

I just bought the rest of the material I need to build my sump, but I am worried about the pump. Its a 560GPH pump for my 55G tank; I was reading the warning label and it stated "only tested for freshwater". Will the saltwater have an effect on the pump? Don't want to get shocked or start a fire down the line....

[LoneStar]

Well what brand is it??

[uriah]

TotalPond, $70 at home depot.

[LoneStar]

hmmm may not be the best bet to use, especially with a warning like that. Still have the recepit? :) I would go with a brand made for the saltwater hobby vs a generic pump for a foutain or small outdoor pond.

But then again, you could do their saltwater testing they never did~

[gjuarez]

You can probably get a mag for around the same price and same output, heck you might even be able to get a mag 7.

[uriah]

What could the saltwater do to the pump?

[justahobby]

My uneducated guess would say premature corrosion.

[hobogato]

pond pumps usually have metal shafts on the impeller. saltwater safe pumps use ceramic shafts. if the shaft is metal, it will rust and fail.

[Joshua]

Yeah you don't want to introduce metal into your reef. For $70 you can get a pretty good pump, oceancube just sold a mag 5 for $30 in the for sale forums here.

[uriah]

it has a ceramic impeller. Should be okay??

[uriah]

Sorry, that was a question:)

[Joshua]

It's probably OK, but it's hard to say for sure. Even the manufacturer didn't say by just stating that it hasn't been tested in saltwater it just kind of leaves it up in the air. If the impeller shaft is ceramic and there are no metal screws in it (saltwater rated pumps would likely have stainless steel but freshwater wouldn't I wouldn't think) or anything it aught to be OK but there are other considerations such as the sealant they use to seal the power cords and such might age and crack under the saltwater elements or whatever.

[R.Allard]

not the impeller... the shaft needs to be ceramic