Pacific Coast Flow Accelerator

[Stuart60611]

Hi. I am thinking of purchasing several of these. However, I have some questions.

I have a 125 fowlr with a closed loop and a mag 18 return pump. I have four outlets in the display where I run loc line for the flow to go from the return pump to the display.

My questions are as follows:

First, overall, what are people's opinions on these in terms of their effectiveness in increasing flow and any other issues that may result from installing them?

Second, I have read that you need a particular sized pump with a certain amount of pressure for these to work effectively. Is my return pump sufficient?

Third, I have also read that the size and kind of pump you have will dictate how many of these you can use. As indicated above, I have four outlets. Can I use four of them or should I only use several of them. If I do not outfit all of my outlets for an accelerator, will I have a problem with several of the outlets having the flow accelerator and several using the existing loc line?

Finally, I purchased this tank used and therefore do not know what size the loc line currently installed is. Does anyone have a way in which I could tell what size loc line I have? Also, what size accelerator goes with what size loc line?

Thanks.

 

[Hop]

You need a pressure-rated pump to really see the benefits of an educator. Your pump is not pressure rated. You would be able to run maybe one with acceptable results, but it would have to be by itself. you can't put it on one and leave the other three open.

To measure the lockline, see what size the fitting is where the line attaches

 

[Stuart60611]

Thanks. I have seen postings with people who say they run them on mag drive pumps. I realize that it will not be as effective, but is it your opinion that I will have no benefit? I could run one on each side so that it is balanced?

 

[sailfintang]

If you get these be aware they do not work with existing loc line fixtures and thy do not have much room for flew if you are trying to angle them in a specific way. I tried to place one on a mag 9 and had enough pressure but my pump was throttled back to control flow in the sump.

If you run these of a CL then an M18 shoud be strong enough depending on pipe lenght diameter etc. I personally wouyld run a less wattage opump on a CL for energy cost like the OR, just my 2 cents.

 

[Hop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14704210#post14704210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stuart60611
Thanks. I have seen postings with people who say they run them on mag drive pumps. I realize that it will not be as effective, but is it your opinion that I will have no benefit? I could run one on each side so that it is balanced?

You need about 700-1000gph for each one for them to work as advertised through a pressure rated pump. I toyed with a set powered by a 1100gph pressure pump. One was incredible, two was not. You could and can run them with a mag pump, but I stand by what I said about running more than one with that pump. The results may be better, but not what you probably desire.

 

[Stuart60611]

Well, since I need to run 2 to keep it balanced (one for each side) and that mag 18 is 1800 gph, it appears I may be able to get by with 2 of them, but its a close call. It is advertized as increasing flow by 400%. I would be happy with anything around a 100% increase. Do you think that this is achieveable?

 

[Hop]

No. They cause back pressure and the mag will fall apart with that much head increase. I think you will be lucky to get 2400 out of it... You can always get them, see how they do and upgrade pumps later.

 

[Hop]

Just running numbers, you are probably closer to 1100gph right now... Reducing the number of outputs to two alone will increase the flow to about 1400gph. Adding the head of the educators drops the flow through the two nozzles to a depressing 740gph...

*these are estimates running quick numbers through the headloss calc...

 

[justinm0424]

I disagree. I doubt that having these would hinder flow and I'd only have 2 with a mag18 though. Buy them and try it out.

I have a mag7 and Im amazed how much head they could pump.

 

[Hop]

:lol: Read up on educators and the required flow for them to work properly... you will be amazed.

 

[rdlisby]

Wanted to jump in I have a Dolphin Amp Master 3000/4000 on my 180 AGA. The return lines are split at the top so I basically have 4 outputs 2 on each line. My limiting factor is the intake lines into the sump, I don’t have the pump throttled back with a ball valve but I T it into 2 3/4 lines. So apparently that reduces the pumps out put. Would these accelerators work on this setup.????

 

[hypernesia]

I run two eductors on my return using a Mag18 for over a year now and definitely saw an increase in flow IMO more than 100% increase. They do cause a lot of head pressure and when I clean my locline/eductors you can immediately tell that the pump has been throttled back. No issues with the Mag though.

 

[Stuart60611]

Ya, my setup is pretty much identical to Rdlisby's, except I have a mag 18 without a ball valve with the same configuration of four outputs (2 on each line). I was thinking of putting an accelerator on my furthest left and furthest right outputs. Would this be a good idea and balance the load the pump effectively?

 

[sjm817]

For the eductor to work I think you would need to have just two outputs. The eductor has a very small opening and puts a lot of back pressure on the pump. With two normal outlets, the water would just take that easy path instead.

 

[Hop]

SJM touched on what I was working toward yesterday before I had to leave. With the smaller holes you can create the perception of additional flow due to the narrower stream, while successfully choking the pump and having less actual flow than you had before adding the educators. The only real way to test in tank is with air being injected near the educator and see how much is actually being pulled from educator and recirculated in the tank.

 

[Imzadi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14712694#post14712694 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hop
SJM touched on what I was working toward yesterday before I had to leave. With the smaller holes you can create the perception of additional flow due to the narrower stream, while successfully choking the pump and having less actual flow than you had before adding the educators. The only real way to test in tank is with air being injected near the educator and see how much is actually being pulled from educator and recirculated in the tank.

Exactly... There is no way that reducing the size of the hole it comes out, will increase the VOLUME. Yea, the PRESSURE is increased... and there 'might' be more flow due to the draw in through the sides... but you are reducing the flow from the sump, to increase (maybe) the circulation in the tank.

Just like a water hose... The open hose doesn't seem like much pressure... and when you put your thumb over the end you can spray the dog with the increase of velocity... but your inflatable turtle pool is not going to fill up faster with your thumb on it... just a lot more fun.

 

[sjm817]

An eductor has three "holes". There is the small one that is toward the pump. This is the one that has the high velocity flow through it from the pump. This is responsible for creating the speed to pull the flow though hole(s) number two and is also what causes the back pressure and GPH reduction on the pump.

The 2nd hole(s) are the ones that are used to pull in flow from the display, This water is pulled in via a venturi effect from the high velocity from the pump water from hole number 1

The 3rd hole is larger and is the combined flow from the pump and display flow from holes number 1 and 2. This opening is usually at least as large as it would be from a traditional outlet.

Compare a standard Vs eductor setup using the 4x flow number claimed.

Normal setup with a pump that can deliver 1200 GPH after headloss. You have
1200 GPH via the display outlets
1200 GPH through the sump.

Now with the eductor. Lets say the back pressure cuts the flow from the pump by 50% to 600 GPH.

2400 GPH (600 x 4) via the display outlets
600 GPH through the sump.

You wind up with 1/2 as much flow through the sump as you had before, and twice as much flow from the display nozzles. This is not so bad. You can use a larger return pump than you might normally choose, use the eductors to reduce sump flow to where you wanted it while increasing display flow.

Obviously, a pump that will perform well under high head and not lose much flow via head from the eductors would make the numbers above better.

 

[rdlisby]

So if I am running a Dolphin Amp Master on the AGA built in overflows there should be plenty of pressure to keep the flow rate up thru the sump, it will just flow faster out the nozzles and move more water in tank with the accelerators?