Barracuda higher than sump

[Holyreefer]

Hey guys wanted to get opinions on if I'll have issues with my barracuda pump plumbed higher than the sump its pulling from.

I currently have 4 union check values on the line for back siphon but please let me know if I'll be ok or not

 

[Holyreefer]

Here's another pic showing the opposite side of the pump here you can see how much highe it seats above the sump its pulling from

 

[Holyreefer]

^bump^

 

[rgulrich]

Might not be preferable, but...here's a link to the manuals for installation of Reeflo pumps. Take a look at the diagram on page 2 of the Barracuda/Hammerhead Hybrid and see how close your set up comes to their recommendations.
http://www.reeflopumps.com/dimsmanuals.html
Keep in mind they recommend absolute minimum distance for suction lift.
Cheers,
Ray

 

[Holyreefer]

Might not be preferable, but...here's a link to the manuals for installation of Reeflo pumps. Take a look at the diagram on page 2 of the Barracuda/Hammerhead Hybrid and see how close your set up comes to their recommendations.
http://www.reeflopumps.com/dimsmanuals.html
Keep in mind they recommend absolute minimum distance for suction lift.
Cheers,
Ray

Thanks for the response ray
That's the booklet that came with the pump.
I was trying to setup as close as possible but the issue of the pump not seating in water if a flood were to happen.

I'll for sure move the pump closer to the hole
Do you think if will be a problem, with the pump being higher than the sump?

 

[Wazzel]

It could cause you problems.

Obviously if you checks fail you will lose prime the next time the pump shuts off. When it restarts you will run a dry pump, that is bad.

Not so obvious is the problems you get with putting restrictions and lift on the suction side. If you put to many losses between lift and check valves you will starve the suction and cause the pump to cavitate. If it is bad it will sound like you are pumping rocks and not get much flow. If it is not bad you will get excessive wear on the impeller and just a little reduction in flow you may not even notice.

You would be much better off if you could place the pump inlet below the level of the sump and as close as practical to reduce the losses and lift on the suction side. Check valves are high loss fittings by the nature of their design, if you can get rid of them it will greatly improve the performance of your pump. If you can not move the pump I suggest replacing the check with a loop of pipe to keep the pump primed.

 

[rgulrich]

Priming and maintaining a primed pump after a power outage would be the big issue, I think. Check valves are notorious for failing/leaking with time, unfortunately, and I can't think of any "simple" way to maintain a prime on a pump higher than sump level. I wish I could be of more help.
Cheers,
Ray

 

[sowildpaul]

By looking at the first picture, I can see that you have enough room for your pump mounted on the floor behind the sump which will solve your problem. Why did you mount the pump higher?

 

[SaltTinker]

+1

Move the pump below the water line of the sump or your pump will burn out.

 

[Holyreefer]

By looking at the first picture, I can see that you have enough room for your pump mounted on the floor behind the sump which will solve your problem. Why did you mount the pump higher?

I put the pump higher than the sump because when I had the pumps outside the stand and the seal would go I would flood the floor and I have floor outlets for my Rec room for the air hockey table and pool table etc...

I ended up lining my stand with 4 mil shower guard in hopes that if the seal brakes I won't have to worry about water flooding out my basement and my placement for both check values I have one on both ends of the pump one to hold water at the pump so it doesn't go back to the sump (gravity siphon back)
And in the return end right at the pump so it holds water between both check values

I also sent this to Chris at reef flow and he said it would be ok.
But I tend to go with responses from here
I'll post a pic tonight of my final plumbing you guys let me know if you still think I should change it

 

[Holyreefer]

Barracuda higher than sump

Priming and maintaining a primed pump after a power outage would be the big issue, I think. Check valves are notorious for failing/leaking with time, unfortunately, and I can't think of any "simple" way to maintain a prime on a pump higher than sump level. I wish I could be of more help.
Cheers,
Ray

I'm just appreciative for your response
Different point of views in my opinion are the best I can't & won't think of all issues

My main issue with that starting and stopping of pumps would be the feed times

 

[Holyreefer]

By looking at the first picture, I can see that you have enough room for your pump mounted on the floor behind the sump which will solve your problem. Why did you mount the pump higher?

Ok let me ask you guys this much if i dont put a check value on the return side and the swirl sea outlet is underneath the water in the tank wont i have back siphon anyways?

Let me know if im wrong but wont that allow water to be feed to the pump stopping at the check value on the feed side from the sump?
i can also add an addtional check value on the sump side
What you think?

 

[Wazzel]

You only need one check valve per line. It should go on the discharge side. If it does not leak it will hold the water in. Just like putting your finger on a straw full of water. Be advised check valves tend to leak.

 

[Holyreefer]

You only need one check valve per line. It should go on the discharge side. If it does not leak it will hold the water in. Just like putting your finger on a straw full of water. Be advised check valves tend to leak.

Because the pump is higher than the sump I had to put one on the pull (sump side) so all the water doesn't back siphon and flood out the sump here's a pic of it already plumbed

I'm trying to figure out a way to re plumb this pump so if the seal leaks I won't have it hit the floor

 

[Holyreefer]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/360x360q90/14/11/16/528ecdd30354384079edd8eb1189f22c.jpg

 

[Holyreefer]

Here is the 4 mil I put in the stand


But my issue with the pump inside the stand not on the brick is the pump would then seat in water if the seal did break and water stayed inside the stand within the liner
Thanks again for yours help on this

 

[Holyreefer]

A picture of the 1.5 inch plumbing from pump to sump with check value on it

 

[Holyreefer]

 

[Holyreefer]

I'm going to try to put the pump inside the stand instead

I'll put a apex leak detector to program if it senses water the pump will shut off much easier

I'll post pics once done

 

[Wazzel]

Because the pump is higher than the sump I had to put one on the pull (sump side) so all the water doesn't back siphon and flood out the sump here's a pic of it already plumbed

I'm trying to figure out a way to re plumb this pump so if the seal leaks I won't have it hit the floor

Even after the pump it would have done the same thing. You could have put it right after the discharge. Putting restrictions on the suction side of a pump is asking for trouble.