Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I saw my father-in-law (who likes to tinker with things) using a washing machine pump to pump out his spa. Basically he just removed it from an otherwise broken washing machine, wired it to 240VAC, put a suction side tube into the spa, and another tube to the drain.
These certainly aren't submersible and need to be primed before they work (ie. suction side to impeller full of water). Probably wouldn't last on continuous operation, or pump any serious head, but if you place the pump below water level (outside the tank) they may be useful for a small system.
They are free to cheap. Note exposed 240VAC and water = serious electrical hazard

Hi B2
Yes the 240 thing is a big hazard, but the little pumps are tough and may surprise you , I had 2 on my Biodiesel rig that would run for 8 hours at a time this is with 80 -90C mix of hot oil methanol and caustic soda running through them, some even have an inbuilt filter cage, just make sure you had an isolater tap on your tank side for if you have to service or replace the pump.But yeah usual disclaimers , Qualified electrician, relevant code of practice etc etc.

We use them to pump beer in mash brewing systems will pump solids easy

Oh for some pale malt, tetnanger hops,chocolate malt and Bavarian larger yeast, f+f I used to sparge my wort quite a bit !(for all you non mashers I just described sex in a bottle!!)

I Cheat and use the left over sediment from coopers pale ale.....

No cheating there TC Its just so painful having to drink all that beer for a little yeast Ha Ha !

Oh thats the fun bit... you just have to remember to leave that tiny bit left in the bottle... thats the hard bit.

Beeen thinking a bit latley about the possability of using more than just pumps out of washing machines, theres potentially some great stuff to be salvaged.

All have level switches which can be adapted to ap systems some are adjustable some even have a high high switch built in. They have solenoid operated flow valves for turning thr water on and off, they have lid switches which could be adapted to a number of jobs and finally they have multi switching timers which im certain could be adapted to turn pumps on and off in sequence direct pump flow to different beds etc etc etc,, hell you could even use the bowl as a fishtank or grow bed !! It could be the worlds biggest salad spinner!!!Ha Ha

Im throwing out the challenge if johnnie can have his wheelie bins we can have old washing machines. Hmmmm think of the areation i could get with a front loader !

Ell where are you ?we need you to get onto this pronto!