Help me get more Oomph out of my pump. (Plumbing Diagram)

[Dewman]

OK, so this is a continuation of my last thread (Mistake, bought a Quiet One).

Anyway, turns out that the fish shop wouldn't take back the Quiet One 3000, so I decided since I had to have a pump, I might as well try a 5000 to replace it since more turnover and higher pressure is what I am needing and I could use the old pump as partial payment.

Well, got the pump home and am experiencing better flow but not nearly enough to make a lot of movement in the tank.
I was thinking an eductor would help, but they are so big...

Anyway, here are the pics... could someone help me get more GPH out of my pump?

 

[trido]

I just looked specs on the quiet one 5000. 1350 at 0 head. The line graph shows it down to 900GPH at 5 feet of head with zero resistance. You have a "T", and 7 90s then restricted down to 1/2 loc lines. You are likely only getting 650GPH out of the pump after that. A couple things. The pump says 1" out put. If you use 1.25" PVC for the return it will cut down on the resistance. Also get rid of the last 90s dropping the pipe into the tank. Let the loc line do that for you. Your water level should be high enough that they can bend like a "S" and cut down on the resistance. Last thing. Use 3/4 inch loc line. Even with all of these helpers to get the Oomph out of the pump I'd bet you will need more flow either with a power head or CL.

 

[trido]

If you raise that "T" up to the top of the tank near the light you could get rid of four of those 90s. You would have to cut it all off and start over. PVC is cheap considering everthing else in this hobby.

 

[Dewman]

OK, So tomorrow I will start over with a new plan.

In the pamphlet it says 1" outs, but the threaded barb that comes with it is a 3/4" out.
Would attaching 1" hose to the pump and using it all the way to the edge of the tank help increase flow/turnover? Then just use LocLine to make the hooks?

Like this

 

[Anonymous]

Better, but you don't have to split it so low on the bottom. You can use 1.25 inch 80% of the way up, and use a "Y" (wye) to split it into two 1 inch or 3/4 inch.

 

[Dewman]

OK,
So, in review.

Start with 1" from the pump and expand the tube to 1.25" until I "Y" off in tow directions near the top and continue with 1" rubber hose ending with 3/4" LOC-LINE bent into an "S" curve to hook over the edge of the tank.

At that point, I guess I could attach Penductors if there isn't enough movement within the tank.

OK, New trip to LOWES tomorrow.
Anything else you can think of?

 

[Anonymous]

I think you piping problem has been addresses. I do not think a penductor would do much for you since you have a nonpressure rated pump.

 

[Dewman]

What does nonpressure rated mean?

I can always ebay this pump, I just can't get the money back on it.
If I need to get a different submersible pump, let me know if that would increase the speed of the flow as apposed to the volume.
I have enough turnover, I just need more speed to provide movement in the tank.

I thought penductors/enductors increased the movement within the tank by acting like a venturi and pulling existing tank water into the stream and, thus increasing the felt flow.

 

[Anonymous]

It means you pump can not handel back pressure well. The QO5000 has a max head of 10.8ft. The is the amount of backpressure that would cause 0 flow.

I do not racall a submersible pump that would be good with an enductor.

You are correct they are like a venturi. They have a small opening in the tip to get the velosity of the supplied water up so it can "suck" water in from the surrounding water. With a non-pressure rated pump you would loose lots of supplied flow and not get enough velosity in the enductor to get much mixing.

 

[Anonymous]

Ditto what Waz says about the use of venturi/eductor on a non-pressure rated pump.

 

[Dewman]

So would a Quiet One 4000 HH ( high Head) be an example of a pressure rated pump?

Could ou give me a couple of examples of submersible pressure rated pumps?

I think I could return this pump as a trade out (again), without ruffling any feathers ( I hope).

 

[Dewman]

Anyone able to tell me if a 4000 HH is a pressure rated pump?
I'm not sure what other brands he carries that I could swap this for.

I really need to get a pump as soon as possible and get this tank completed.

Fortunately, my trip was put on hold for a while, so I have some extra time... but not much.

 

[Anonymous]

I would not call the 4000HH a pressure rated pump. It only has 13ft of availible head. Sorry, but I do not recall any submersiable pump that is pressure rated.

 

[Dewman]

Well,
I guess I'll just keep the pump I have for circulation and rework the plumbing a bit.
I'll just hang a closed loop intake and output off the back of the tank. I should be able to get a little more movement in the tank that way.

Wish I had made the tank stand instead of using the Factory Oceanic stand it came with. More room for an external pump.
Next time I will make sure I have a big enough stand.

As far as turnover, I should be fine with what I have.
It's turning the tank water almost 18 times an hour.

Thanks for your help.