I just split my return line using a loc line Y splitter and 2 flare nozzles. I notice a big difference in return flow compared to a non split round nozzle. It just seems to pour out rather than spray out. Is this normal? I did open the valve a bit more from the pump to increase flow. My return pump is a mag 9.5. Now on my old setup i used a flare nozzle and it was strong coming out from a mag 5. It wasnt split though.
Decreased flow?
- Thread starter drew2007
- Start date
If you have, for instance, 500 gph coming from one nozzle, after head pressure and you split it into two lines, you would have 250 gph, minus head loss coming from each one. You are still getting almost the same total gph, but you have distributed it. It would be great if we could add more lines and get the same gph, but it doesn't work that way. You will actually have a little less than you started with because of the additional loss from fittings and any additional head. Keep in mind the diameter of the pipe comes into play here as well, Danner recommends a 1-1/2" pipe to get the full flow from the 9.5 and the flow goes down with smaller piping.
Here is how this figures on a head loss calculator.
Mag9, 1/2" pipe, pumping vertically at 3 feet, figuring no fittings you will get 601.82 gph with 3.3 psi of head pressure.
Mag9 with 1-1/2" pipe, pumping vertically at 3', figuring no fittings, you will get 854.02 gph with 1.36 psi of head pressure.
Add fittings and you increase the head pressure rapidly.
Here is how this figures on a head loss calculator.
Mag9, 1/2" pipe, pumping vertically at 3 feet, figuring no fittings you will get 601.82 gph with 3.3 psi of head pressure.
Mag9 with 1-1/2" pipe, pumping vertically at 3', figuring no fittings, you will get 854.02 gph with 1.36 psi of head pressure.
Add fittings and you increase the head pressure rapidly.
Last edited:
joelespinoza
New member
It depends what is your major restriction, if your nozzel was the holdup splitting can increase flow.
In my experience though split usually decreases flow.
In my experience though split usually decreases flow.
The mag 9.5 comes with 3/4" inlet/outlet. Im just concerned with putting too much pressure on the pump itself by splitting. Or is it the same pressure?
I know it has a 3/4" outlet, but if you want the rated flow, you have to bump up the piping to the tank. The example was just to show how the pipe size limits the flow. 3/4" with the same variables as above is only pushing 758.95 gph, split into two outlets would be 723.52 gph, fittings reduce it further. If you tell me what you have as far as fittings and vertical height to pump, I can get fairly close.
As far as the split adding enough head to hurt the pump, no it won't, it would only be slightly more head.
As far as the split adding enough head to hurt the pump, no it won't, it would only be slightly more head.
I figured 5' vertical, don't have figures for locline, but based on 5 vertical feet, 1' horizontal, 1 90 degree ell, 1 ball valve and 2-45's for the wye and 2 exits, about 8' of head, 3.49 psi and 570 gph, total, but of course that is not completely accurate, a couple of variables such as restriction from the flares and the locline it will be a little less. Not far from what I would have guessed. If it is the stock overflow (approx 600 gph), you really don't want more flow but yes the split does cut into the gph and flow from each exit will be roughly half of the total. No damage to the pump, one of the nice things about magnetic pumps, until you are close to the max head it won't get hotter than normal and the wattage should also drop a little.
Nice! It is the stock overflow rated for 600gph. I've got plenty of flow with an mp40 and a koralia 1400 right now. I was just more concerned with heating the pump up and it crapping out on me. Thanks for the help and the lesson. :thumbsup:
Ive been using mags for years its just what i stuck with. Never had an issue you know. What are some more efficient pumps? Eheim? I see alot of people using those.
I did too, still using a mag 3 as my return, but I don't need much flow. Yes, Eheim, Sicce, Water Blaster, etc, all use much less electricity and offer the same or better flow. Not a big deal until you are running multiple Mags, then the wattage adds up fast.
Fortunately Sicce makes a lot of different pumps, the psk2500 wasn't their best and the new psk's are much better, your Diablo has the 600 on it IIRC. You can change air silencers and help the noise a lot. I an crazy about white noise, you have to try hard to hear my tank, and it took years to get it that way.
Wow! I had no idea they had silencers. Is this what i would need?
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=UJ1331&child=UJ1331&utm_source=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_content=UJ1331
Awesome! Thanks! :beer:
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