HELP NEEDED hope your smart.

[ddckec6972]

OK I had a 1000 gph fountain pump (yard sale special) installed in my new sump. when i timed how long it took to fill a 1 gallon bucket at the return point of the DT. I got 205 GPH. Here were the conditions.

1.one foot vertical tube into a ball value,
2. then into a tee (stub off 6-7" for future equipment)
3. continuing vertically into a check value.
4. then into a 90 degree elbow
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=fd6aa6cf9855021d2f8dde1a001a138e&oe=5AE64929

total vertical life of about 2', (rounded up) then

5. out of the elbow into a union coupler
6. then into a tee (that was to be used for easy water changes)
7. then into a 9 degree elbow.
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=5bed934826c16703fb1dd14ea246c4d3&oe=5AED5353

total horizontal run of 1 foot. (rounded up)

8.out of that elbow into another elbow

total horizontal run of 1 foot. (rounded up)

9. out of this elbow into another union coupler
10. out of the union coupler and then into another ball value.
11 then into another tee (stub off 6-7" for future addition of another return line).
12. then up an out to the display.

total vertical run of 2 feet (rounded up)
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=9d489ecd71380197c86e97bd87f08da5&oe=5AEEAE38



i have since removed that pump. its to noisy, and replaced with a spare unic-life dp 2500 (550gph) pump and all clear tubing up to the # 10 above ... and now get 240 gph.

question 1----is 240 gph a good flow rate for a 100 gallon tank? i say no.

question 2----what would a good flow rate for a 100 gallon tank? i say 500 gph. thats 5 times an hour of turn over.

question 3----i REALLY REALLY want to us my hard plumbing, so what is the head pressure it creates.? so many calculators out there i get different numbers every time. i don't like them.

question 4. -----I plan on buying a used Reef Octopus Water Blaster hy-7000 today for 40 bucks, would this solve all mt flow problem? And allow me to use my hard plumbing.

Question 5------- head pressure is nothing more than the amount of resistance placed upon the flowing water correct.

 

[outy]

Diameter of pipe really helps flow on some pumps.

Using a heat gun to bend PVC pipe can reduce unions and Ts and fittings that rob flow.

Yes 500 is fine in a 100, its what I ran.

head pressure is nothing more than the amount of resistance placed upon the flowing water correct.

Partially correct, it adds resistance, but its not the total amount.

 

[windlasher]

Just so you know - Garden pumps are not rated for Saltwater and have metal parts in them that will rust and fail over time, and not that much time at all. ALSO, if you use a heat gun to bend PVC fill it with SAND first or it will crease and reduce flow considerably or even fail.

Be careful out there.

 

[ddckec6972]

the pump i am now using not the pond pump, has a 3/4" threaded outlet and inlet so that is why i used 3/4" thanks for the info about the garden pump. what pumps will give my 50 gph at the return location at the DT?

 

[windlasher]

the pump i am now using not the pond pump, has a 3/4" threaded outlet and inlet so that is why i used 3/4" thanks for the info about the garden pump. what pumps will give my 50 gph at the return location at the DT?

I know but I Just looked at the unic-life dp 2500 and it also appears to be a fountain pump. It says aquarium but I think it means fresh water. Make sure before you rely on it.

 

[ddckec6972]

well like i said i will be picking up a used Reef Octopus Water Blaster hy-7000 today for 40 bucks question 4. how bout dat?

 

[windlasher]

well like i said i will be picking up a used Reef Octopus Water Blaster hy-7000 today for 40 bucks question 4. how bout dat?

There ya go. :fish2:

 

[ca1ore]

2.5x display is on the low side. I think 5x is a good target to shoot for. Technically 'head pressure' is the vertical distance that a pump must move the water against gravity. For our purposes, most of the calculators also factor in friction as well. How much a pump will drop is a function of the design; the better calculators will factor this in as well. Most of the DC pumps perform poorly against resistance - though in your case, resistance seems relatively low. I have found the RC head calculator to be reasonably accurate.

 

[Hal]

Return pump flow rate should be a function of your sump size and the sum of required flow rates for all your equipment: skimmer, reactors, etc. Generally 4x the volume per hour of most sumps is sufficient. Higher flow rates relative to sump,size tend to make a lot of noise.

For circulation in tank, generally you are better off taking the above and then adding power heads or similar.

5x turnover in tank should be fine for fish only and some corals. Sps will likely want more flow. FWIW I run 36x in my 250g and am considering more. But it depends on what you have in tank. I had tangs that liked the current.