Does a bigger sump pump require larger piping?

[Electrical Dr.]

I have 180 gal display tank w/ 2-Durso overflows draining into a 30 gal sump. Currently, the sump pump is a Mag Supreme 12, which uses 3/4" fittings, and all of the sump pump plumbing is 3/4" PVC. I have decided to upgrade the Mag 12 to a Mag 24, which uses 1" fittings, as I do not like the flow once the sump pump makes it up to the outlets.

Question: Do I need to replace any or all of the 3/4" PVC w/ 1" PVC. Redoing the plumbing from the pump to the 2 bulk head holes would not be too much trouble, but to change out the 3/4" PVC in the display tank's will likely require redrilling the bulk head, and that is a much more labor intensive undertaking.

Thanks in advance for any advice.:headwally:

 

[Mrramsey]

Does a bigger sump pump require larger piping?

The mag24, which I have, requires 1-1/2" pipe to get the stated flow rates. I run 1-1/2" to the top of the tank then split into 3 3/4" returns over the top. I push 1200 Gph through the DT.

If you use 3/4 you will have higher pressure and lower flow or volume plus additional wear on the pump.

 

[1234]

I have a 225gal DT and a 80gal sump, imo a 30 gal sump you would probably flood it the first time you turn off the pump - (done right)

yes go to the bigger size

 

[Mrramsey]

Does a bigger sump pump require larger piping?

Yes I agree the bigger sump as well. Maybe explain what you are hoping accomplish with the larger pump. We might be able to make some suggestions.

For reference I have a 120g with a beananimal overflow into a 55g sump. I also have the return teed off to the refugium and back to the skimmer section of the sump.

 

[Electrical Dr.]

Well I got the Mag24 plumbed and running. All I can say is WOW!:eek1: The flow that pump is pushing is phenomenal. I am already seeing a few issues though, and all of them revolve around the overflow returns.

The sump tank's pump end nearly drained empty the first 2 times that I powered up the Mag24. My initial thoughts are that the issue is 2 fold:

1) The sump tank is divided into 3 sections by glass, w/ the glass between skimmer & refugium sections being an over/under flow and the the glass between the refugium and pump sections being an over only flow.

2) The tank's (180 gal) 2 overflows use 1-1/2" pipe in a Durso standpipe setup.

My suspicion is that the overflows' drain rate is too slow for for the Mag24 to run wide open; hence, I am thinking that I need to rework the overflow setup (e.g. modify the standpipes to have the elbow lower and add a air valve to each air hole to better control the air inlet to each standpipe. Also, I am thinking that I need to upsize the sump tank itself to be sure that the sumptank will not overflow when the sump pump is off.)

Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mrramsey]

Add a tee right after the return. I branch into to lines. One for my refugium to the left and the other just dumps back to the skimmer section. I use these to balance the flow to the DT rather than restricting the main return valve. This is my mag 24 as well.

 

[ca1ore]

If you use 3/4 you will have higher pressure and lower flow or volume plus additional wear on the pump.

Restricting the output, in whatever form that takes, will certainly reduce flow, however, somewhat counter intuitively, it is actually easier on the pump.

 

[ca1ore]

Mag24 run full out is a lot of pump for just two durso returns. Lowering the elbow inside the overflow will help because it will then be able to build up head above the top of the drain but then you will likely get flushing. You may find it necessary to restrict the pump flow a bit. Either that or convert one of your corners to a Herbie siphon.

 

[Mrramsey]

Restricting the output, in whatever form that takes, will certainly reduce flow, however, somewhat counter intuitively, it is actually easier on the pump.

True but the point I was trying to make is that there really would have been no real gain in upping the pump to a mag24 without up sizing the piping.

While there would be some flow increase the speed of the water coming into the tank would be fast. Like using a high pressure spray nozzle.

 

[Mrramsey]

Electrical can you post pics or a diagram of your setup?

 

[Amoo]

I did what Mrramsey suggested on my overflow and just split the return back to the sump so I could throttle flow to the tank. So basically you can fix the problem two ways, but in the end you might end up needing to split your return anyways.

 

[uncleof6]

There is never a reason, or excuse, to split your return back to the sump, unless it accomplishes something on the way back such as powering reactors, etc. It is such a total and complete waste of energy, to run water directly back to the sump, to reduce flow back to the tank. If this is the only solution (it isn't but...) you really should pick up a smaller pump—and that pump be other than a mag-drive. Mag drives are poorly engineered, energy inefficient pumps, that have outlived their usefulness for this hobby.