If you are slightly interested in pursuing this, do your own research and don't rely on anecdotal info. From the sounds of it, you don't even know what the pump actually is, its construction, or what the performance is. How can you compare it, apply it, or do a operating cost analysis, or.... without any basic infomation. Its like asking "I just got given a car motor, can I use it in my Honda.....??? Well, you know, its out of some kind of car, or maybe a truck...."
[/quote]the power consumption alone would end up paying for a decent reef pump.
And this is based on what information??? Its an opinion based on no information. There are spa pumps (and many other pumps) that are more efficient or cost effective than "reef pumps" in certain applications and at certain performance points.
[/quote]used one for about a year on their large tank. Lasted about 8 months before it burned up[quote]
How can you find fault in a product that still performed for over 4 months after it "burned up" ??? Come on, that's a selling feature in itself....
Umm, and you're considering this as advice
A "common" spa pump, on LOW speed can push 40-60gpm at 5-7ft of head - would be good for a closed loop or ?? If you find out the performance of the pump, THEN decide if that's what you want or can use. If it is, compare it to what equivalent is available in the reef products and see if it is cost effective. Remember, you got it for free. Does it make sense to spend hundreds of dollars on something new to save a few bucks on electricity a year?
I'm not endorsing using the pump, just saying do your own research before making decisions. Look outside the hobby to industry and manufacturers website.
Jim