Return Pump Question

diegoluv · 09/06/2009, 02:40 PM

I just got a reeflo dart pump. My current setup has a pan world NH-200PS but it cant handle all my equipment. I had a problem with micro bubbles when I first got the pan world pump. Come to find out it was because the intake line from my sump was 3/4 inch and the pump intake was 1 inch. The restricted flow caused cavitation which in turn caused the micro bubbles.

This new reeflo has a 2 inch intake! The intake from my sump is only 1 inch. If I downsize the intake on the reeflo dart to 1 inch, am I going to have the same problems I had before? I am going to have to redo ALL my plumbing to install this new pump, however I dont want to go through that huge task if I am going to have the micro bubbles again.

Any help would be appreciated...

Shane Hoffman · 09/06/2009, 03:37 PM

You should NEVER reduce the intake diameter of a pump. The pump is designed and engineered to operate with a 2 inch intake. It will move water with a smaller intake but not as efficiently and usually causes cavitation. Also by reducing the intake you will shorten the life of the pump. I would highly recommend resizing yur intake plumbing or switching pumps.

reef2 · 09/06/2009, 03:46 PM

reeflo says u can down size the 2" to 1&1/2 "

Playa-1 · 09/06/2009, 04:21 PM

What size tank is this going into?

Shane Hoffman · 09/06/2009, 05:36 PM

If the manufacturer says it is ok and wont void the warranty in any way your A OK.....

However I have been in a few situations where customers have had to use a pump and reduce the intake (due to financial constraints)

I have had better luck reducing cavitation by installing the reduction as far away from the pump as possible.....

Good luck.....

rsantangelo3@co · 09/06/2009, 09:05 PM

using a ball valve to die off some of the gph is essientially the same thing as reducing it per pvc..

diegoluv · 09/06/2009, 10:03 PM

its going on a 180 with a 60 gallon sump. It has dual return holes in the sump so I think im just gonna put another external pump in and split the load....

Playa-1 · 09/06/2009, 10:54 PM

I was going to set up a 180 at one point and I was planning to use two of the eheim1262's. They are quiet, energy efficient, could be used internally or externally and I thought on such a large tank it might be nice to have the redundancy of two return pumps instead of one. The idea is if one went out the other could possibly save the day.

09/06/2009, 02:40 PM	#1
diegoluv Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 80	Return Pump Question I just got a reeflo dart pump. My current setup has a pan world NH-200PS but it cant handle all my equipment. I had a problem with micro bubbles when I first got the pan world pump. Come to find out it was because the intake line from my sump was 3/4 inch and the pump intake was 1 inch. The restricted flow caused cavitation which in turn caused the micro bubbles. This new reeflo has a 2 inch intake! The intake from my sump is only 1 inch. If I downsize the intake on the reeflo dart to 1 inch, am I going to have the same problems I had before? I am going to have to redo ALL my plumbing to install this new pump, however I dont want to go through that huge task if I am going to have the micro bubbles again. Any help would be appreciated...

09/06/2009, 03:37 PM	#2
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	You should NEVER reduce the intake diameter of a pump. The pump is designed and engineered to operate with a 2 inch intake. It will move water with a smaller intake but not as efficiently and usually causes cavitation. Also by reducing the intake you will shorten the life of the pump. I would highly recommend resizing yur intake plumbing or switching pumps. __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

09/06/2009, 05:36 PM	#5
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	If the manufacturer says it is ok and wont void the warranty in any way your A OK..... However I have been in a few situations where customers have had to use a pump and reduce the intake (due to financial constraints) I have had better luck reducing cavitation by installing the reduction as far away from the pump as possible..... Good luck..... __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

09/06/2009, 09:05 PM	#6
rsantangelo3@co Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ct Posts: 846	using a ball valve to die off some of the gph is essientially the same thing as reducing it per pvc.. __________________ Fish Crazy! Current Tank Info: 300 FOWLER display (675 gallon system) & a 30 oceanic cube (Nano) reef!

09/06/2009, 03:46 PM	#3
reef2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 639	reeflo says u can down size the 2" to 1&1/2 "

09/06/2009, 04:21 PM	#4
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	What size tank is this going into?

09/06/2009, 10:03 PM	#7
diegoluv Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 80	its going on a 180 with a 60 gallon sump. It has dual return holes in the sump so I think im just gonna put another external pump in and split the load....

09/06/2009, 10:54 PM	#8
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I was going to set up a 180 at one point and I was planning to use two of the eheim1262's. They are quiet, energy efficient, could be used internally or externally and I thought on such a large tank it might be nice to have the redundancy of two return pumps instead of one. The idea is if one went out the other could possibly save the day.