Idea for using a pool pump for water flow and air pumps

so i have a couple pool pumps that i no longer need. i would love to use them as air pumps but they will cough and just break i think. so i think i found a way to use it to provide air bubbles instead of an air pump and continually make the water flow simultaneously. i have not yet set it up so i don't have any proof that it works yet. so here's the set up:

the pool pump blow out of one end and into reservoir A. the PVC or whatever other tubing would enter the bottom of the reservoir A and split into to openings. the first opening is just an inch or so continuation of the PVC, and the second would be 90 degrees straight upward and lead to above water level, possibly outside of the tote. on the other end of Reservoir A is a PVC leading out of it and into reservoir B (where the same concept as reservoir A would be applied). this way you can make a chain from multiple reservoirs. however on the last reservoir before reconnecting the other side of the pool pump (suction side) you do not split the PVC off into the air. this causes the pump to suck water only as there is no air. i would just make the last reservoir a dud, with no plants in it and just water.

using this, you can force continuous water flow and lots of bubbles for the roots. this also eliminates costs of air pumps, stones, tubing, and expenses of changing the water more often (water bill, nutes, pH stuff). you'd have to buy PVC and pool pumps however. again i have not yet tried this, so don't go buying a pool pump and cutting up your totes thinking its a sure thing. criticisms are welcome and i'll try to draw a diagram to put up soon.

Without water the pool pump will dry and crack in less than a day, the trick is to keep the top of the basket cover just a little loose, this will allow water through the pump but will mix with the air from the leak and provide ox to the place you pump it in to.

chrishydro said:

Without water the pool pump will dry and crack in less than a day, the trick is to keep the top of the basket cover just a little loose, this will allow water through the pump but will mix with the air from the leak and provide ox to the place you pump it in to.

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the only thing that will travel through the pump in my set up would be water...

oldMcDonald said:

the only thing that will travel through the pump in my set up would be water...

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What you're describing, I (kept looking at your pic as I was reading) sounds like it will only circulate the water, not aerate it, except for possibly the effect of water from your vertical 90 falling back into your tote, (as fountains in ponds do), but if you do like you said and possibly lead outside the tote, you will need a constant source to replenish your water.

imchucky666 said:

but if you do like you said and possibly lead outside the tote, you will need a constant source to replenish your water.

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it just uses the same water that went in the suction end and pushes it back to tote A, it just recycle the water til you change it, but it keeps it moving

pool pumps are pretty strong. i think it could easily blow out of the top in the 1st res. I dont know what size your pumps are but i used one to pump out a flooded basement and the thing was chuggin.

I think it would be too strong. unless your building a massive system.

It would have to be a massive system, I've been designing hydraulic systems for 25 years and it always best to go as small as possible.That kind of flow would stress the plants out and create heat.I stash alot of pump's back too just in case its ever fully legalized but I know it will probably never happen.I would like to do a constant flow stadium grow but I'll most likely use a small pump with a diffusing system.Just drill holes in the supply line at different angles to create aeration.No bubbles just a rapid surface exposure to O2.