Pump Question

jgb23 · 01/04/2007, 09:30 PM

I am thinking about re-doing the return pump component of my reef tank. My current setup is

HOB overflow (situated at the right side of tank) that goes to the 20 gallon sump under my 75G tank.

The return pump (I dont know the make or model, but delivers approximately 900GPH) returns water through one outlet on the left side.

I have a couple SAIO 1100's providing flow through the tank.

What I would like to do is move the overflow to the middle of the tank and then put two return outlets (one on the left and one on the right).

First of all, is this a good idea? Secondly, what is the best way to approach this? My thought was to run the PVC pipe behind the tank at the midpoint and then use a T fitting to send the flow left and right to ensure equal amounts of flow. Could I put more than 2 outlets? Maybe 4 (two at the end and two closer to the middle)?
Finally, what kind of pump would I need to run this? I am assuming its best to use 3/4 PVC for this application and between routing the pipe and outflows, the lift would probably be around 7-8 feet?

Any help is appreciated.

crumbletop · 01/05/2007, 06:30 AM

Yes, you can do that. You can pretty much plumb it however you want. Behind the tank split into 2 lines is fine. The one issue I see is that a return pump fights gravity and thus wastes energy doing that. A closed loop, however, really only fights friction (not gravity). This means you can get more flow from the same pump if used for a closed loop rather than a return pump. Especially if you have ~7' of head. I'd look at plumbing up a closed loop with outlets where you want them, rather than doing it with your return pump.

jgb23 · 01/05/2007, 07:19 AM

are thier any good articles on a closed loop system? I dont know that much about them.

luke33 · 01/05/2007, 07:35 AM

A suggestion would be to use a y- instead of a t. It won't restrict your flow as much as a t. Sounds like it will work fine though.

crumbletop · 01/05/2007, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jgb23
are thier any good articles on a closed loop system? I dont know that much about them.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=520145

jgb23 · 01/06/2007, 09:21 AM

crumbletop, thanks for that link. Looks like I have a lot of reading to do

01/04/2007, 09:30 PM	#1
jgb23 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 74	Pump Question I am thinking about re-doing the return pump component of my reef tank. My current setup is HOB overflow (situated at the right side of tank) that goes to the 20 gallon sump under my 75G tank. The return pump (I dont know the make or model, but delivers approximately 900GPH) returns water through one outlet on the left side. I have a couple SAIO 1100's providing flow through the tank. What I would like to do is move the overflow to the middle of the tank and then put two return outlets (one on the left and one on the right). First of all, is this a good idea? Secondly, what is the best way to approach this? My thought was to run the PVC pipe behind the tank at the midpoint and then use a T fitting to send the flow left and right to ensure equal amounts of flow. Could I put more than 2 outlets? Maybe 4 (two at the end and two closer to the middle)? Finally, what kind of pump would I need to run this? I am assuming its best to use 3/4 PVC for this application and between routing the pipe and outflows, the lift would probably be around 7-8 feet? Any help is appreciated.

01/05/2007, 06:30 AM	#2
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	Yes, you can do that. You can pretty much plumb it however you want. Behind the tank split into 2 lines is fine. The one issue I see is that a return pump fights gravity and thus wastes energy doing that. A closed loop, however, really only fights friction (not gravity). This means you can get more flow from the same pump if used for a closed loop rather than a return pump. Especially if you have ~7' of head. I'd look at plumbing up a closed loop with outlets where you want them, rather than doing it with your return pump. __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

01/05/2007, 07:19 AM	#3
jgb23 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 74	are thier any good articles on a closed loop system? I dont know that much about them.

01/05/2007, 07:35 AM	#4
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	A suggestion would be to use a y- instead of a t. It won't restrict your flow as much as a t. Sounds like it will work fine though.

01/06/2007, 09:21 AM	#6
jgb23 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 74	crumbletop, thanks for that link. Looks like I have a lot of reading to do