Question

Will a swimming pool pump and sand filter work for a pond? Thanks John

For the filter definitely no, the sand clogs immediately. Sand filters are meant for chlorinated water with no debris. The pump? Depends, but probably not. Most pond pumps are designed to handle debris, some up to 1/2". There is a whole lot of stuff in healthy pondwater that you don't get in swimming pool water.

We tried messing with a pool pump once. The only snafu we found was that the pool pump is normally sort of gravity fed as opposed to actually just sucking. We were using a cheaper pool pump that was left over and it didn't have the power to actually suck the water up like a pond pump does. I also think the sand part would be an issue. We had to backflush a lot with pool water and I can't imagine leaves and such going through it.

Pool pumps are simply not made to run 24/7- they use way too much electricity. Even if you're getting a deal on one to use for the pond, it won't be a deal for long after it starts racking up your electricity bill.

Thanks very much for your inputs. The reason I was asking is that I have a couple of them already but really didnt know if they would work. Thanks again. John