Help with Head loss Calculation

[mbrady]

I need help in interpreting the results of the head loss calculation. My problem stems from having two exist points (left side & Right Side). My first question is "œVertical Height" is that for both left & Right returns? I have a Tee connection with a ball valve to control the flow rate and even out the flow for both sides.
According to the Head loss calculator my flow rate is 453 GPH is that for the total system or do I multiply by two.
If the calculation is correct than my flow rate through the sump seems low at 4.5 X (100 gallons in Display Tank with Sand & Rock)

Please see attached files for a diagram of the return lay out and the results of the RC Head loss calculation.
Note :
The "œQuiet one Model 5000 is the closest to the Sicce 5.0 that I could find in the drop down menu)

Mike Brady

 

[EnderG60]

You have a very simple layout. First youre trying to make this too exacting for practical usage. Take your max elevation change from the pump to the outlet multiply by 1.5. Thats your effective head height taking into account your fittings and pipe losses.(trust me here I am a plumbing engineer and do this all day every day)

Now compare that head height to the pump curve(from the manufacturer website), read the flow and divide by two and thats your flow at each outlet. Easy.

If you are relying on the return pump to do most of your current and flow then I would try to have 5-10x tank volume for turnover (5 for all softies, 10 for sps, but its a guesstemate). If you have a closed loop or power heads for the current your return can be as low as 1-3x tank volume.

Personally I go for overkill on equipment. Its much easier to turn a pump down, than it is to add more flow to the tank. For a 100g tank I would simply find something rated for 1000 gph or more and call it a day. If you want to run skimmers and reactors off the same pump, go for 1500gph.