Another Head Loss Question...

[drummereef]

Trying to narrow down my choices of return pumps but have a dilemma.

For my 180g in-wall upgrade I'm planning on a two zone sump below the display. Zone 1 is the drain/skimmer zone, zone 2 is the return zone. There will be about 5 feet of head from the return pump to the display.

I also plan on plumbing in a remote 40g fuge that will be tee'd off the return pump. This tank will have roughly 3 feet of head from the return pump to the fuge. This tank will be to the side of the display, in the sump room.

Now, here's the question.... To calculate head loss do I add both vertical lengths (sump and fuge) to come up with total head? Or, is it just the highest point regardless of how many outlets are plumbed into the system?

 

[MplsMan]

have you tried this:
http://reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php

 

[drummereef]

Yes I tried the calc with multiple scenarios. I'm getting vastly different results from the manufacturer's head loss chart to the calc. That's why I'm asking.

 

[graveyardworm]

I had a longer answer but I think to keep it short. Calculate it at the total head. Are you trying to figure how much flow each tank will get, or just size a pump?

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14521622#post14521622 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by graveyardworm
I had a longer answer but I think to keep it short. Calculate it at the total head. Are you trying to figure how much flow each tank will get, or just size a pump?

At this point I'm just trying to size the pump. I talked to Reeflo this morning and he said it's the sum of both vertical runs, kinda..... There are other factors involved that went over my head. :lol: There's more to it than just summing both runs that is hazy to me.

Thoughts?

 

[graveyardworm]

it's the sum of both vertical runs, kinda..... There are other factors involved that went over my head. There's more to it than just summing both runs that is hazy to me.

My longer answer.

I would just over size the pump, and T off a return to the sump as well. Never can have enough water, ( for additional tanks ).

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14522150#post14522150 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by graveyardworm
My longer answer.

I would just over size the pump, and T off a return to the sump as well. Never can have enough water, ( for additional tanks ).

Haha, that was my thought. I was originally looking into the Reeflo Snapper but had a couple guys say go with the Dart instead. The Snapper is a great size/wattage but has a hard time pumping uphill - which is the problem I'm facing with this two tank setup. The Dart might be WAY overkill for a while.... unless I got a chiller, cal reactor, and the list goes on.... :lol:

 

[graveyardworm]

Get the Dart. 3600 GPH - you can run upwards to 1200 through the 180, maybe 600 through the other tank minus head will put you just under the flow your pump puts out. Rather than running the extra T just restrict the flow with ball valves and put the pressure on the pump. The less water the pump moves the less power it uses.

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14522322#post14522322 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by graveyardworm
Get the Dart. 3600 GPH - you can run upwards to 1200 through the 180, maybe 600 through the other tank minus head will put you just under the flow your pump puts out. Rather than running the extra T just restrict the flow with ball valves and put the pressure on the pump. The less water the pump moves the less power it uses.

Good ideas! I only want to run about 4-5x through the sump and remote fuge though. Thats only 900gph to the sump and 200gph to the fuge. Do you think with head loss and throttling the Dart down, I'd be able to get the flow down this low and it not be hard on the pump?

All the extra flow will be from Tunze 6105's in the display.

Reeflo told me throttling down the Snapper was actually GOOD for the pump. I've never heard that before! :lol:

 

[graveyardworm]

Reeflo told me throttling down the Snapper was actually GOOD for the pump. I've never heard that before!

Thats what was printed with my Dart. Good for the pump and uses less electricity.

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14522856#post14522856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by graveyardworm
Thats what was printed with my Dart. Good for the pump and uses less electricity.

Wow, I'm sold. Does it have a limit to how much it can be throttled down?

 

[graveyardworm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14522865#post14522865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
Wow, I'm sold. Does it have a limit to how much it can be throttled down?

That I dont know, at some point I would guess it'll just stall.

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14522892#post14522892 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by graveyardworm
That I dont know, at some point I would guess it'll just stall.

Cool. I'll talk to Reeflo and see what they say too. I think it will give me the most options for the future for sure. Who knows what excuses I'll make to put more tanks in the fish room.


Thanks for all the help! :thumbsup: