DC Controllable Pumps vs AC Pumps

d2mini

d2mini

Premium Member
I installed the GHL flow meter on my tank this weekend and it confirmed what I was expecting to see... a pretty low flow rate.
I know I have a lot of restriction in my return line, but still seems a bit disappointing.

The pump is a Vectra L1, rated at 3,000 gph max flow with zero head.
It has a 1" outlet, and I have a 1" barb connector coming out of it (barbs are restrictive) so I can use some silicone tubing, which is connected to the second barb connector which is also a 90 degree elbow, into 1" pvc. It then sizes down to 3/4" to get through the flow meter and then back up to 1". Then into the next set of 1" barbs and silicone tubing where it enters the overflow. Within the overflow it splits into two 1/2" returns.
So yes, plenty of restriction and in the end I'm getting only 600 gph running the Vectra L1 at 100%.

Even 1/2" pipe is capable of running around 1200 gph under high pressure, but dc pumps are not high pressure pumps.

This has gotten me curious... can I substantially increase my flow by either moving to a different DC pump, or dumping DC all together and moving back to an AC pump? Either way it would have to be submersible.



i-dZBxS8S.jpg
 
If you could hard plumb it you could remove some of those barb restriction. The 3/4 flm is limiting flow as well.


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scuzy said:
If you could hard plumb it you could remove some of those barb restriction. The 3/4 flm is limiting flow as well.


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Click to expand...
There was no discernible difference in flow when I installed the flow meter.
If there was I would have had to adjust the ball valve on my drain.


Potatohead said:
Get rid of all the 3/4 stuff and the barb. You will get way more flow.
Click to expand...
Can't.

Only the pump can change.
This is why I'm asking about pump differences.
 
I'm not sure if any of these internal AC pumps are high pressure. Most are external for the high pressure pumps.


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My refugium is in a room below my tank. I hard piped my L1 to the tank with 2 elbows and was disappointed in the flow. I changed to flexible PCV and it made a huge difference. At first it did not seem to make much difference but after 3-4 days flow was much better. I guess the walls need to get slimmed up. I am now back down to 80-90%. I guess my rise is about 9'.

I did not want to use a one inch barb because it restricts flow and you going from a 1" to 3/4" for your flow meter seems as it would too.
 
Ok, I'm going to make a parts list and see if I can replace the majority of the barb connectors.
That will at least be a start in maximizing flow.
I'll still be hitting a bit of a wall when it gets to the overflow though.
 
The barb fittings are killing your flow. The internal diameter of a 3/4" barb fitting is 1/2".
 
It is definitely restricted quite a bit but 600gph still seems kinda low. I've never used a vectra but it seems like u would be closer to 1000 gph.

I know this won't help u because it's a totally different setup, but I have a fluval sp6 which is rated for 3600gph. I have it feeding two reactors & around 350 gph to a seperate fuge & I am getting around 1200 gph in the tank & that is with gate valve on my return closed 2/3 of the way. I opened the gate valve up half way & it was pushing water ober the front of the tank. I dialed it back to where it looked good & then checked & im still getting 1200gph which is right around where I wanted.

Like I said, it's a totally different setup though. It is plumbed with 1.5" & I have a small section of flex pvc coming from the return pump & everything else is pvc. It doesn't bend as much as vinyl hose but I like to use flex pvc instead of vinyl hose. U use the same pvc fittings as u would use on hard pvc.
 
Who wants to take bets on how much I gain by removing the barbs?
I'm betting I'll see marked improvement but not that much! ;)
 
DC Controllable Pumps vs AC Pumps

I'm thinking removing the barb will double your output. Most of the pump ratings are used with larger pipes. 1" is already reduced it notes you going to 3/4. In order to get the max output on my red dragon 150watt it came with 1.5" intake and output fittings.


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d2mini said:
Who wants to take bets on how much I gain by removing the barbs?
I'm betting I'll see marked improvement but not that much! ;)
Click to expand...

Not more than 100gph. The dual 1/2" returns are also killing the flow. 2-1/2" lines does not equal 1-1" line.
 
sirreal63 said:
The barb fittings are killing your flow. The internal diameter of a 3/4" barb fitting is 1/2".
Click to expand...

sirreal63 said:
Not more than 100gph.
Click to expand...

Contradiction?
Barbs "killing my flow" and gaining "100gph" don't seem to match up.
Not really worth going through the hassle for 100gph. (although I'll probably do it anyway just because I like to tinker)
I can't do anything about the returns. They're part of the mysterious Elos overflow.
 
Get a Laguna - Askoll block for years and years of trouble free service. They will push what they are rated for.... so will a Mag Drive.
 
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