plumbing question

[GREATMIKE]

looking to run my gfo & carbon reactors and chiller off my return pump.Is this possible and how would be the best way to do it.I am running a mag 12 currently for my 150 gallon tank

 

[LatinP]

Generally a bad idea because you want slow flow going through the gfo and carbon unless you split the line and then pump back into the sump but that defeats the purpose and slows the output of the return pump unless you deal with a rather large return then it wouldn't matter. Too much flow will disintegrate your gfo and you don't want big flow going through your carbon either slow flow is better for filtering.

 

[Jzhou]

generally a bad idea because you want slow flow going through the gfo and carbon unless you split the line and then pump back into the sump but that defeats the purpose and slows the output of the return pump unless you deal with a rather large return then it wouldn't matter. Too much flow will disintegrate your gfo and you don't want big flow going through your carbon either slow flow is better for filtering.

+1

 

[Galantra]

Why not add a manifold to your system? Or is this what you are actually looking to do? You can actually google up manifold on reef system you can see people have it on returns and/or drain lines

Sent from my iPod touch using Reefs

 

[GREATMIKE]

yeah i wanted to add a manifold to my return pump. would ths work

 

[thirty5]

yeah i wanted to add a manifold to my return pump. would ths work

As long as your return is powerful enough. You will be adding stress to the pump with the manifold.

You would just use PVC with a few tee's and then ball valves on each Tee. You will use the ball valve to control the flow to each item.

But I am not sure that is what you want to do, unless the pump can handle it!

 

[GREATMIKE]

using a mag 12 should i upgrade the pump also

 

[thirty5]

using a mag 12 should i upgrade the pump also

I am not the one to ask about what size pump. I am horrible in sizing pumps....

A 12 may be good enough. I dont know

 

[GREATMIKE]

is it better to put the manifold on the return or drain.

 

[thirty5]

is it better to put the manifold on the return or drain.

You would put a manifold on the return to push water into the tank or into other items like reactors.

A manifold on the return would be more to direct water into the sump and then some into the refugeium.

 

[GREATMIKE]

my pump is in the sump. my sump is just a wide open 40 gallon breeder tank with no baffles

 

[thirty5]

You are losing me? You want to run the chiller, and 2 reactors, along with the return to the tank.

That is all the job of a pump. A return will not have enough pressure to get through the reactors.

If what you are looking to do, is to get water to the tank, through the chiller, and through 2 reactors, then you need a manifold on the RETURN pump. My only point is that you need to make sure that the return pump is strong enough to run them all.

 

[rkaragozler]

In general you would need a pump that is way stronger than what you have now to run all the above mentioned items. your mag 12 is only pushing about 1200 gph at 0' of head.
and is not considered a high head pump, you would need a pump that is capable of handling at least 1800-2400 gph, and it has to be a high head pump to achieve your goals.

 

[thirty5]

In general you would need a pump that is way stronger than what you have now to run all the above mentioned items. your mag 12 is only pushing about 1200 gph at 0' of head.
and is not considered a high head pump, you would need a pump that is capable of handling at least 1800-2400 gph, and it has to be a high head pump to achieve your goals.

Thanks Rich!! The plumbing I know, the pumps i Dont!

 

[GREATMIKE]

just want to run the gfo and carbon canisters.not my chiller off it..any recommendations on a high head pump

 

[NewfiDog]

Most submersable pumps drop flow rate very fast from head. Head is not only height it is also every elbo, union, tee, and so on. if you want to help the head pressure you can increase the size of the manifold if the pump is 3/4 increase the manifold to 1 inch. Sounds like you have alot of room in the sump you may want to run the chiller and gfo off of some new pumps. Its also not recommended to run a carbon reactor and gfo in the same line as the carbon flow rate will change and you dont want your gfo flow rate to change.

 

[thirty5]

Most submersable pumps drop flow rate very fast from head. Head is not only height it is also every elbo, union, tee, and so on. if you want to help the head pressure you can increase the size of the manifold if the pump is 3/4 increase the manifold to 1 inch. Sounds like you have alot of room in the sump you may want to run the chiller and gfo off of some new pumps. Its also not recommended to run a carbon reactor and gfo in the same line as the carbon flow rate will change and you dont want your gfo flow rate to change.

Are you sure about increasing the pipe size??? You will just create a larger water column therefore adding weight to the water. Not sure that actually helps. But I could be wrong.

A more powerful pump is what is really neede. I agree that multiple pumps would be better. The GFO and other reactors do not need that much. The added price of building the manifold and upgrade in pump may not be worth it.