Can one pump be both closed loop and return?

[douggiestyle]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7331745#post7331745 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by douggiestyle
imposible if im understanding you correctly.

well not impossible. you could do it but it wouldnt work.

 

[MayoBoy]

I can't post a diagram from work - if someone can I'll send you a quick AutoCAD .jpg so everyone understands.

To make this work, you have to get one of the 50.00-100.00 check valves, not the cheapies from Home Depot. You have to clean them every week. You could also drill a siphon break on the suction line below water level so prevent an overflow.

If someone can post a diagram, PM me with an E-mail and I'll send it to you.

 

[douggiestyle]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7331803#post7331803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MayoBoy
I can't post a diagram from work - if someone can I'll send you a quick AutoCAD .jpg so everyone understands.

To make this work, you have to get one of the 50.00-100.00 check valves, not the cheapies from Home Depot. You have to clean them every week. You could also drill a siphon break on the suction line below water level so prevent an overflow.

If someone can post a diagram, PM me with an E-mail and I'll send it to you.

just sketch it using paint.

id love to see because im just not getting it.

bloopity bloop didnt read whole post pm sent

 

[douggiestyle]

sent pm

 

[MayoBoy]

I just sent it to you.

The "closed loop" valve should be above the tee, not below it.

 

[douggiestyle]

unless you sent an erection cream ad i havent got it try my gmail account
buckylaserbeam@gmail.com

 

[MayoBoy]

No, I'm married, I wouldn't have any use for erection cream...

I'll resend it.

 

[douggiestyle]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/75358Diagram_1___2_-med.JPG

 

[albinooscar]

Hey! What happened to the original poster, jafoca?

We still need an explanation/drawing of what they had in mind.


Ron

Edit: Just seen your pic. Wouldn't need a check valve if you had a siphon break drilled in the intake.

 

[MayoBoy]

The advantage of the check valve is that the pump would keep prime if it lost power.

It's all academic really becuase this is far from the ideal system. The only reason to use it would be if you already had the pump and wanted to use it for both. But, the money you'd have to spend on the check valve would be better spent on an Eheim pump for recirculation.


(DUH, didn't even think to upload that to my gallery)

 

[douggiestyle]

the problems i see with a check valve (im assuming its the spring type and not a swing type) is

1. it would eat up alot of flow to the pump.
2. not sure if its designed for this type of application. i would be worried that the head pressure may cause a leak.
3. if the check valve became air entrained you may not be able to develope enough pressure to open it up.

will say that you are correct that it will work. i assumed you would use the swing type check valve as those are used most often due to the fact that they have less affect on flow.

 

[douggiestyle]

you could eliminate the gate valves prior to pump intake and put the spring loaded check valve directly before the pump. and put a swing type check valve between the sump and the t.

i would think that either way the pump would stay primed. as long as it was below the sump.

 

[albinooscar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7332152#post7332152 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by douggiestyle
as long as it was below the sump.

Or level of water in sump.


Ron

 

[douggiestyle]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7332152#post7332152 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by douggiestyle
you could eliminate the gate valves prior to pump intake and put the spring loaded check valve directly before the pump. and put a swing type check valve between the sump and the t.

i would think that either way the pump would stay primed. as long as it was below the sump.

i stand corrected

just a swing type check valve between the t and the sump no other needed.

 

[douggiestyle]

cres is right though the head pressure from (i refuse to call it a closed loop) the tank would cause some flow ballancing problems.

 

[MayoBoy]

I think that you'd need the gate valves to adjust where the water's coming from. The pump could potenially either suck the sump dry or not suck from it at all.

The check valve on the main line wouldn't work - the flow direction is wrong (the water draining from the tank would keep it open). Its only purpose is to keep water from filling the sump.

 

[albinooscar]

Yep, MayoBoy, I see that.


Ron

 

[MayoBoy]

To take it a step further, a float valve would make the balancing problem go away. When the water level drops, the valve closes. As the sump level rises, the valve opens and the pump draws from the sump again.

I'm not sure if float valves are available for this though - the ones we use are 10 or 12" and made out of metal.

 

[douggiestyle]

thats what i thought was your intention. the use of spring type would limit the pressure for it to open higher than that of the head pressure.

 

[MayoBoy]

Wow - isn't this better than working?