How to increase pressure from the return?

generalee · 04/09/2007, 08:36 AM

I need some input on flow and pressure/volume?

I have a OR 2500 pump in my sump (about 5.25' height) returning to my 58g tank. I orginally had a Tee with locline coming off each side splitting into 2 so I had 4 outputs. All plumbing on the return is 3/4 inch.

With that set-up I barely had any pressure coming out of the lines. Now the pump was working fine as it was returning the amount of water from the sump back to the tank without any problems.

My big question is this, I want to increase the pressure out of the nozzles. Like taking a garden hose and putting my thumb over the end.

So should I jump up to a larger pump (I have a gate valve on the return line to bleed off any flow if it is too much) and keep the 3/4 tubing for the return or what?

I was just thinking perhaps I should neck down to 1/2 inch loc line instead of using 3/4 inch. Any ideas on that? What would be the best thing to do?

jim48 · 04/09/2007, 01:51 PM

By going from 3/4" line to 1/2" line you will definately increase the pressure.

BurntOutReefer · 04/09/2007, 01:54 PM

dont forget that it will add head also...IMO...get a bigger pump.

AZDesertRat · 04/09/2007, 02:07 PM

You are confusing pressure and velocity. Going to smaller will increase the velocity or speed the water exits the nozzles but it will also increase the head pressure or resistance the pump pumps against so it will decrease the flow somewhat. Staying with 1" or 3/4" plumbing until the last possible point helps since there is less line loss of resistance.

manderx · 04/09/2007, 02:09 PM

bigger pump. it's simply not beefy enough to split 4 ways.

andydavis141 · 04/09/2007, 02:58 PM

bigger pump! i have had the same prob i was using rio's and mag drives now i use in-line gen-x 29ft of head works like a charm now, with 2 returns split to 4 i have 1140 gph for a 180 its the max my tank can handle with out further mods. good luck

David Grigor · 04/09/2007, 04:25 PM

I wouldn't get a bigger pump. OR2500 on a 58g is plenty good enough for a return pump. Reduce the number of outlets on your return line. ( I personally would just use a single flared nozzle myself ).

If you want to increase flow in the tank, then look into other methods for doing so. Using your return pump to create in tank flow is one of the least effecient ways of increasing flow in the tank.

generalee · 04/10/2007, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David Grigor
I wouldn't get a bigger pump. OR2500 on a 58g is plenty good enough for a return pump. Reduce the number of outlets on your return line. ( I personally would just use a single flared nozzle myself ).

If you want to increase flow in the tank, then look into other methods for doing so. Using your return pump to create in tank flow is one of the least effecient ways of increasing flow in the tank.

Yes I agree I came to teh same conclusion. I did put a restrictor in the end of the 3/4 inch line to reduce it to 1/2 inch. The velocity did pick up a bit but nothing impressive.

Going with a bigger pump I would have to throttle it back as I think it will drain the sump faster than it is filling unless I added a second over flow.

I think I will add 2 hydro koralia (whatever) to the tank to increase water movement in the tank.

Right now my tank drains at approx 600 gph and my return pump is working perfectly in the sump. Best not to mess with a good thing. I was just trying to avoid putting anything additional in the tank.

Thanks for the responses!

04/09/2007, 08:36 AM	#1
generalee Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Northern Connecticut Posts: 560	How to increase pressure from the return? I need some input on flow and pressure/volume? I have a OR 2500 pump in my sump (about 5.25' height) returning to my 58g tank. I orginally had a Tee with locline coming off each side splitting into 2 so I had 4 outputs. All plumbing on the return is 3/4 inch. With that set-up I barely had any pressure coming out of the lines. Now the pump was working fine as it was returning the amount of water from the sump back to the tank without any problems. My big question is this, I want to increase the pressure out of the nozzles. Like taking a garden hose and putting my thumb over the end. So should I jump up to a larger pump (I have a gate valve on the return line to bleed off any flow if it is too much) and keep the 3/4 tubing for the return or what? I was just thinking perhaps I should neck down to 1/2 inch loc line instead of using 3/4 inch. Any ideas on that? What would be the best thing to do?

04/09/2007, 04:25 PM	#7
David Grigor Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Brooklyn Center, MN USA Posts: 4,951	I wouldn't get a bigger pump. OR2500 on a 58g is plenty good enough for a return pump. Reduce the number of outlets on your return line. ( I personally would just use a single flared nozzle myself ). If you want to increase flow in the tank, then look into other methods for doing so. Using your return pump to create in tank flow is one of the least effecient ways of increasing flow in the tank. __________________ Neptune Systems 2016 Marine Aquarium Hobbyist of the Year Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef show tank

04/09/2007, 01:51 PM	#2
jim48 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Williamstown, Pa. Posts: 293	By going from 3/4" line to 1/2" line you will definately increase the pressure.

04/09/2007, 01:54 PM	#3
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	dont forget that it will add head also...IMO...get a bigger pump.

04/09/2007, 02:07 PM	#4
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	You are confusing pressure and velocity. Going to smaller will increase the velocity or speed the water exits the nozzles but it will also increase the head pressure or resistance the pump pumps against so it will decrease the flow somewhat. Staying with 1" or 3/4" plumbing until the last possible point helps since there is less line loss of resistance.

04/09/2007, 02:09 PM	#5
manderx Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Christiansburg, VA Posts: 4,893	bigger pump. it's simply not beefy enough to split 4 ways.

04/09/2007, 02:58 PM	#6
andydavis141 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: east bay, ca Posts: 122	bigger pump! i have had the same prob i was using rio's and mag drives now i use in-line gen-x 29ft of head works like a charm now, with 2 returns split to 4 i have 1140 gph for a 180 its the max my tank can handle with out further mods. good luck