what pump should i go with? (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

okay I have got to order a new pump today. to make a long story short my quiet one 3000 (780gph)is to big for my 20L. my overflow cant keep up. Right now my corals are in the tank with only PHs going. here are my choices i want any one and every one to give me their advice and opions. 1st Q- would it hurt to go from 1/2" to 1" on these pump?
Pump choices
Mag 2 250gph
quiet one 1200 296 gph
Via Aqua 1300 370 gph
Via Aqua 480 200 gph
any other suggestions on pumps? No rios!

 

[tedu]

I'm using a ViaAqua 480 in my salt mixing system. Not a bad pump but pretty low flow.

 

[incysor]

Hmm...What size is the bulkhead for your return? Most returns are 3/4in while most overflow bulkheads are 1in. So generally if the output nozzle on your pump is 1/2, you immediately step up to 3/4 plumbing.

How many turns are then gonna be in your plumbing between the pump and the tank. What's the headpressure?

If you get a 600gph pump just on headpressure alone you should drop quite a bit.

An example is a mag 5. It pumps 500gph. However with three feet of head pressure the gph drops to 380.

Since you like the quiet ones I'd say probably go with the 1200. At 3' of headpressure it should still be pumping about 220gph.
A mag 3 starts at 375gph, and drops to 300gph at 3'. A mag 2 starts at 275gph and drops to 170gph at 3'.

Personally I'd try to reduce the number of 90s on your return line to speed up the drainage a bit. Did you hardplumb the return or are you using flexhose, and the 90s are part of the durso?

This might be helpful. Surf posted this a little bit ago.

B

6 feet of head, but what flowrate?
http://www.reefs.org/library/pumps/
has a good selection of pump curves

Keep in mind, elevation isn't the only part of head,
http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php
can give a reasonably accurate idea of flow given piping and pump.

Some mags can be run external, but they aren't the best choice. You have to be careful not to over tighten the plumbing, and you have to be careful that the motor is supported well, and you have to make sure they get enough air circulating around them to cool them.

Rio- well, my only experience with rios has been a SHOCKING one to say the least.

 

[toefu]

truthfully, if you plumb your quiet one 3000, and split the return in to 2 outputs, you will have atleast 2-4 elbows, this would restrict your existing 780gph down to 600 gph. Bundle this with a cheap 1" ball valve from home depot, and you ought to be able to tweak it perfectly.

40 watts is not a whole lot for a return pump, and you really would not be restricting the flow by much, since your overflow can probably handle 600 gph anyhow.

 

[incysor]

truthfully, if you plumb your quiet one 3000, and split the return in to 2 outputs, you will have atleast 2-4 elbows, this would restrict your existing 780gph down to 600 gph. Bundle this with a cheap 1" ball valve from home depot, and you ought to be able to tweak it perfectly.

40 watts is not a whole lot for a return pump, and you really would not be restricting the flow by much, since your overflow can probably handle 600 gph anyhow.

I'd try that before replacing the pump. Part of the problem is the number of 90s in the return line. They're reducing the flow well below 600gph

B

 

[Guest]

well Ill get some pics of the plumbing tonigh and post tomorrow because i wont be home till 11.

my pump has 1" fittings. i used flex hosing up to the T. the i have a 90 then i have a foot of pvc the 2 90's that come over the edge of the tank then it come down into the tank with one more 90 with a duck tail. so those 90s have to be there. the other 90s for the drain can de eliminated but i would have to use flex hose. I mean the water goes from the over flow box to the externail dorso (see my help thread with external dorso and 90 inside the overflow box) then its a 2 foot drop to a 90 8 inch then a 90 then another foot one more 90 then to the sump. so thats 3 90s on the drain side if i use fles hose i could use 1" hose barb just bend it a little. my over flow is in the middle of the tank and the chamber of the sump is at the far left. my hole in the stand is in the middle. Did i make it all sound clear?
I really wasnt looking for that much flow. all im keeping are BTA, mushrooms, zoas, LPS. I doubt any sps. Im running vhos but dont thing ill do sps. might do a birdsnest but not sure. i have about 20 phs.

according to RCs calculator this is what i have as far as head loss.

Total losses are 5.3 feet of head pressure, or 2.29 PSI. with a flow rate of 516 GPH. Process took 73 iterations.

 

[incysor]

That sounds about right. I'd go get a flex hose, or spa hose or whatever it is they call it and see if it will fix the problem. Heck, I may even have one in the garage. I'll take a look when I get home from work.

B

 

[Guest]

pmd you incysor about this. my head hurts