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03/18/2010, 11:00 AM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 179
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Valving back Reeflo
I just purchased a reeflo barracuda pump and am suspecting that it may possibly be too much flow for my tank. I've heard of "valving back" but wasn't sure what this was exactly. Do I just attach a ball valve to the return line (going back into tank) and adjust it as I please? Will this not shorten the life of the motor?
I should also mention that I will be reducing the PVC from 1 1/2" to 1" along the return line in order to match up the holes in my tank. I don't know if this will make a difference. |
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03/18/2010, 11:15 AM
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#2 |
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FragSwapper
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: West Lawn, PA
Posts: 5,800
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A gate valve would allow more control than a ball valve, but that is what they are talking about. And Reeflos are fine with being throttled back...I recall reading someplace that it actually EXTENDS the life of the pump. Just always restrict the OUTPUT not the INPUT.
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03/18/2010, 11:37 AM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: greenwood, sc
Posts: 712
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put a union in there too.
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03/18/2010, 11:44 AM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 179
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excuse my ignorance but what is a union?
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03/18/2010, 11:48 AM
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#5 |
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Premium Member
 
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A union will make it so the pump can be easily removed with out having to break your tank down, just in case you ever have to replace it. Ask them at the hardware store, easier to see and understand in person. I use true union ball valves on mine.
__________________
"Let there be Rock!" ~ Bon Scott 2010-2011 COMAS POTM Chairman Current Tank Info: 150 gal. Starphire Mixed Reef |
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03/18/2010, 11:57 AM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 179
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got it! Thanks
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03/18/2010, 12:01 PM
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#7 |
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FragSwapper
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: West Lawn, PA
Posts: 5,800
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Your plumbing should be (following the water flow):
Ball : Union : Pump : Union : Ball The second ball could be a gate for better control. Home Depot and Lowes sell ball and union combos to save space and plumbing just make sure the water still goes in the same order as above. The ball going into the pump would open 100% all the time EXCEPT when it's time to clean the pump. Turn the pump off, close both balls, open both unions, remove the pump, clean it, re-attach the unions, open the balls, turn the pump on. It limits the amount of water that needs to be drained from your sump or tank to change out or clean the pump to be about 1 cup of water. 
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03/18/2010, 12:47 PM
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#8 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 179
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Quote:
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03/18/2010, 02:03 PM
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#9 |
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FragSwapper
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: West Lawn, PA
Posts: 5,800
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That's why we're here. Learn from our previous headaches.
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03/18/2010, 03:17 PM
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#10 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Wapakoneta,OH
Posts: 97
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I have barracuda that is to much flow as well. I have mine valved down and a t to the sump. They make a impeller you can change to. Its called a goby impeller that is less flow.3400gph I had just ordered mine.
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03/18/2010, 03:53 PM
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#11 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: edmonton
Posts: 21
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I have a reeflo dart that i have backed off and it works fine. here is a pic of what they said about valve union pump union valve. I have one with the valve and union seperate and one together.
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03/18/2010, 04:32 PM
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#12 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Davis, Ca.
Posts: 816
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All of the above info is good. Years ago however, I stopped installing the valve on the inlest side of the pumps. You can use a short pice of pipe and a pipe cap glue them togetehr and leave it in the stand. When needed, just reach inside the sump and stick the pipe/cap into the BLKHD fitting, then proceeed with your pump maintenance.
It might not seem like much space, but every inch saved counts - becuase there is limited space inside most stands. |
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03/18/2010, 11:54 PM
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#13 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 179
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Yup, you're right about the space issue. I'm going to have troubles putting a bucket for ATO in there but It's all good.
So, I just picked up the barracuda from the bus depot today (it was shipped to me) and the thing looks like a monster!! It is huge. I can't believe that it will run less power than my mag 36 which is about half the size. Anyways, it looks really cool. I'm happy with it. I'm doing a huge tank switch/upgrade on Saturday and will get to test it out then. |
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04/24/2010, 02:26 PM
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#14 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 10
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reeflo with a 1'' swcd
Just woundering if i can put a 1'' squid on the return of a reeflo dart or will that be to much pressure on the dart? I was thinking of putting in a T and spreading out the flow
Thanks |
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04/24/2010, 02:38 PM
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#15 | |
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12-5 Chiefs record
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NW Iowa
Posts: 10,134
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Quote:
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04/24/2010, 02:51 PM
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#16 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 10
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Sorry about that so it can handle a dart i wastold it might be to much pressure
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04/24/2010, 04:11 PM
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#17 |
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12-5 Chiefs record
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NW Iowa
Posts: 10,134
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a 1" scwd will handle 3500gph
1” SCWD, Standard Drive Switching Rate GPH 30 seconds 3500gph 55 seconds 1800gph 80 seconds 1200gph 120 seconds 900gph 155 seconds 720gph |
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