Pump sizing question

[jgraz]

Hopefully someone can assist me here. Following is little explanation of what I have going on right now, as well as the message I sent to Reeflo sales.

I am currently running a Blueline 55HD as the sole supply pump for my 180G saltwater display tank. My sump is located in my basement and I have a 1" line supplying the pump. From the pump outlet I have a 1" union followed by a 1" 45* elbow followed by a run of 1" flexible PVC. The PVC line runs approximately 13' vertical and about 9' horizontally ending at a 1" tee splitting and reducing to two 3/4" ball valves and then 3/4" barbed fittings utilizing vinyl supplying my 2 returns which outlet approximately 3' above the tee. This is running full open. Hope that all is clear and makes sense.

The pump I am currently using produces lite flow from the display through the sump and I am happy with it, though I could stand to use a little more. Because my current pump is undersized I run my other equipment with additional pumps which I would like to stop. Therefore the pump I purchase must also be able to supply via manifold a 30G frag tank (which has a 1/2" supply) and carbon and phosphate reactors all of which are in the basement located about 3-4 ft above the pump.
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Reeflo contacted me back and is recommending their Yellowtail pump.
http://reeflopumps.com/250-500-gallon-systems.html
I hope the Link is allowed

If supplied properly then I know that the flow and head is fine for my needs however, the bulkhead in my Rubbermaid stock tank is 1-1/4" bushed down to 1" to supply the Blueline. I could plug the bulkhead from the inside and remove the fittings so that I could revert back to 1-1/4" though.

This is where I'm getting lost. According to Reeflo the Yellowtail has a
2" intake and a 1-1/2" discharge. The best I can supply the pump with is
1-1/4". If I did that, and changed the discharge to 1-1/4" as well then supplied a 1-1/4" manifold then bushed down at each valve would I still be able to make full use of the pumps capabilities?

I guess my biggest question is does this all make sense? Haha

Sorry for being longwinded and thank you in advance for all the assistance.

 

[Wazzel]

Down sizing the inlet is a bad idea. It can cause the pump to cavitate. 2" down to 1-1/4" is a big reduction.

Using the upstairs tank as the controlling factor you are going to get about 2000gph from the pump.

Personally I would not run one pump for tanks of different floors. Going to be a pain to dial them all in. The tank in the basement and filter components are going to have to dialed way back to create the same losses the line going to the tank will see so the tank gets the flow it needs.

 

[Tigerdragon]

The pumps are built and designed with the inlet sizes for a reason i wouldnt downsize inlet the outlet however i would go bigger on until the very end bigger equals more flow smaller equals higher pressure less flow

 

[jgraz]

Thank you for the responses. I actually had the same concerns about downsizings the inlet. It was actually person from Reeflo that made the recommendation to do so stating that as long as the outlet did not restrict further then there would be no issue at all.

 

[Wazzel]

The pumps are built and designed with the inlet sizes for a reason i wouldnt downsize inlet the outlet however i would go bigger on until the very end bigger equals more flow smaller equals higher pressure less flow

Usually not worth the extra expense. The difference in losses between 1-1/2" and 2" for 2000 gph (this design condition) is approx. 2 psi per 100 ft of pipe. Estimating 25 ft of pipe for this application give about 1/2 a psi differences in losses due to friction.

 

[Wazzel]

Thank you for the responses. I actually had the same concerns about downsizings the inlet. It was actually person from Reeflo that made the recommendation to do so stating that as long as the outlet did not restrict further then there would be no issue at all.

Have no idea why they would recommend that. 1.25" is less than half the cross section of 2". Flow losses would go up by a factor of 4 and put you at risk for cavitation.

 

[jgraz]

Have no idea why they would recommend that. 1.25" is less than half the cross section of 2". Flow losses would go up by a factor of 4 and put you at risk for cavitation.

I was skeptical as well which is why I posted here.

Looks like i'll just stick with a blueline/panworld in the same range as i have now.