Penductor Question

[Capt_Cully]

Do they make penductors that attach to Loc-Line?

Thanks

 

[Henry Colf]

Yes they do. The ones I use are 3/4" NPT. I think they come in 1/2" and 3/4". Im sure Tim could order them for ya....

 

[Willistein]

Just use one of these:
http://www.aquacave.com/34-mpt-loc-line-connector-brmale-adapter-444.html

 

[Willistein]

or this
http://www.aquacave.com/flow-accelerator-withbr12--34-or-1-mpt-fitting-brapprox-65-long-1684.html

 

[Capt_Cully]

Yeah nice. I don't mind the look of loc-line in the water, but for some reason seeing PVC in the tank makes me nuts! (no offense to those with exposed PVC, just a personal preference) Thanks dudes!

 

[Conesus_Kid]

I have the ones in the above hyperlink. I actually had to remove them since the Barracuda pump provides more than enough flow. If the 'cuda craps out on me at some point, I've got a Dart for backup and would put the penductors back on.

Bottom line: They definitely work to increase water flow.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Will they increase energy consumption by creating head pressure?

 

[Haffs09]

Cully - it all depends on where you're operating on the pump curve. Take a look at some of the curves for the reeflo pumps, and you'll see what I mean.

 

[belgian_waffleman]

Where can one find how much head pressure a penductor adds to a system?
I was planning on using one but I don't think my small pump can handle it.
So I may have to get a bigger pump and use more energy.

Waffleman

 

[cardiffgiant]

Cully - it all depends on where you're operating on the pump curve. Take a look at some of the curves for the reeflo pumps, and you'll see what I mean.

Can you elaborate? This is the first time that I've looked at pump curves.

 

[Willistein]

Anybody know why they're called penductors? seems like a marketing ploy...

 

[Capt_Cully]

Can you elaborate? This is the first time that I've looked at pump curves.

Certain Sequence pumps are designed to handle higher head pressures and actually have a sweet spot where they're pushing higher volumes of water while consuming less energy to do so. Gives you more bang for your buck.

I'm just looking to step down on a lower wattage pump to get more flow for less wattage, and less $$ on the pump. If it burns up the pump so be it, I was just wondering if they add a significant amount of head pressure or not.

 

[Haffs09]

Cully's right on, here's a graph for Reeflo's Hammerhead.http://www.aquacave.com/NPDPopImage.aspx?pi=http://www.aquacave.com/images/hammerhead%201.jpg

I think you'll need to search the net for the specific penductor you're looking for and hope you can find some flow/pressure data. Flow varies with your pump pressure. I didn't read through this entire link, but it looks like it has some useful Penductor 101 info: http://www.kthsales.com/website/Misc/hello_salt_water_enthusiasts.htm

 

[110galreef]

or this
http://www.aquacave.com/flow-accelerator-withbr12--34-or-1-mpt-fitting-brapprox-65-long-1684.html

anyone know if the flow is fairly wide spread...or more concentrated?

 

[Capt_Cully]

From the looks of it, it's going to be fairly direct. Like a nozzle on a hose.

But, the reason I'm using them is to help keep the ENTIRE body of water moving in one direction, aka a gyre. So at first its just direct, but overtime they create even greater overall flow vs the up to 400% increase flow rate at the nozzle tip.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

fwiw dept.

fwiw dept.

I haven't researched the use of penductors and Magdrives.

Everything I've researched on penductors indicates a pressure rated pump should be used with them............

 

[Capt_Cully]

Haven't officially decided on return pump. Internal vs external. That input will be looked onto Gary. Thanks.

 

[captain7359]

Haven't officially decided on return pump. Internal vs external. That input will be looked onto Gary. Thanks.

Reeflo/Sequence, Period.

the penductors are nice for upping the in tank flow without pushing more water through the overflows. I put maybe 200gph through my frag tank, but with a single penductor I still get good flow throughout the tank.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Not sure I want that much juice going on my electric bill. The snapper is the smallest one they have correct? It has kind of a funky sweet spot. I'm thinking I'll have around 6-8 ft of head. Not sure how much 2 penductors would add?

Worst case scenario, I'll rely on my Vortech's in the name of energy consumption. I remember trying to pick out a pump when going from my 72 to my 180. Only took about 6 months, and ultimately, I think I over did it. The hammerhead did have a really nice output to consumption curve, but it was still like 3 Amps. I want to be as far under 100 watts as I can get and still get 3x turnover through the sump. That puts the Snapper on the list, but not quite #1. Unless you guys think that's unreasonable?

Open to further opinions/experiences/thoughts...

 

[captain7359]

Red dragons or the lagunas are an option as well.

Are you doing a basement or under tank sump? Snapper/dart is flow biased and the flow is going to fall off quickly with any head. They are great for closed loop pumps, but I wouldn't waste the time with penductors on them.
Look into the uno series pumps if you're doing the basement sump for a decent amount of flow at modest head restriction. I've got one of the R&D tarpon pumps and run the 180, 40 breeder frag and reactors and have some flow left to spare.