Choosing the Correct External Pump

Red_Six · 04/05/2006, 07:58 AM

I plan to add a 1/10 Arctica Titanium Chiller to my 58 gallon reef tank. I am wondering what size pump is adequate to achieve the desired 240 gph minimum to 960 gph maximum flow rate for the chiller. The suction side of the pump will draw from my sump. It will have four 90 degree elbows before it reaches the pump with about an eight foot horizontal run of 3/4" pipe. The discharge will also be 3/4" and it will feed the chiller and then return to the top of the tank. The return line will contain four 90 degree elbows, 10' of horizontal run and 4' of vertical lift. The chiller itself will add two 90's. I would desire the flow to be towards the lower end of the chillers range as I already have adequate flow in the tank. I figured on using all 3/4" fittings and pipe but there again I am unsure if that is the best choice. I thought perhaps a Mag Drive 950 would be adequate, but I am concerned that the actual head loss with all of those elbows would add up to greater than 11' of total head. At 11' the Mag 950 puts out 300 gph.

I have tried to calculate the head loss and came up with 17' I find this number hard to believe, and since I would rather have the flow closer to 300 gph than 900 gph, I don't want to make the mistake of getting to much pump.

Robert

04/05/2006, 07:58 AM	#1
Red_Six Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 174	Choosing the Correct External Pump I plan to add a 1/10 Arctica Titanium Chiller to my 58 gallon reef tank. I am wondering what size pump is adequate to achieve the desired 240 gph minimum to 960 gph maximum flow rate for the chiller. The suction side of the pump will draw from my sump. It will have four 90 degree elbows before it reaches the pump with about an eight foot horizontal run of 3/4" pipe. The discharge will also be 3/4" and it will feed the chiller and then return to the top of the tank. The return line will contain four 90 degree elbows, 10' of horizontal run and 4' of vertical lift. The chiller itself will add two 90's. I would desire the flow to be towards the lower end of the chillers range as I already have adequate flow in the tank. I figured on using all 3/4" fittings and pipe but there again I am unsure if that is the best choice. I thought perhaps a Mag Drive 950 would be adequate, but I am concerned that the actual head loss with all of those elbows would add up to greater than 11' of total head. At 11' the Mag 950 puts out 300 gph. I have tried to calculate the head loss and came up with 17' I find this number hard to believe, and since I would rather have the flow closer to 300 gph than 900 gph, I don't want to make the mistake of getting to much pump. Robert