Return Pump And Head Pressure!!!

[GQ22]

From my current experience, dont skimp on getting a pump with lots of head pressure (the rating that gives the max feet) the more feet the better for a return pump hence the higher price. Whats going to happen if you get a pump with high gph and low max head pressure, the pump is going to break on you, ie impeller falling aprt. Its literally trying to pump water against pressure its not designed to take.

Im spending all this money and time correct the problem now. If only I had known earlier!!!!

Hope this helps someone. ps, here is a somewhat useful link. there are more specific ones

http://www.thinkreef.com/reef-aquarium-pump/

 

[GQ22]

Before i got my now broken pump, i was seduced by the higher GPH and lower price, instead of actually thinking it through...DOH!!!!!

 

[bad coffee]

Great link Gally.

Once you read the article, this might help

Reefs.org pump selection guide

B

 

[herman]

here is a good head loss calculator when you are trying to figure out max head and gph.
headloss calc

 

[joseney21]

if you increase the diameter of the return pipe shouldn't flow rate go down?? according to the head loss calculator it goes up...just curious.

 

[herman]

if you increase the diameter of the return pipe shouldn't flow rate go down?? according to the head loss calculator it goes up...just curious.

Less friction + more space to flow, so it goes up unless your pump is maxed out.

 

[joseney21]

makes sense, but doesn't the weight of the water put pressure on the impeller??

 

[House of Laughter]

Gq,

I am living proof that this works - I recently changed my pressure rated 1875gph Panworld PS-200 (390 watts and pressure rated) to a GenX PCX-55 rated at 1100gph (170 watts and pressure rated) and aside from total volume, have not seen any difference - since they are both pressure rated (I chose that on purpose cause I have penductors), I didn't notice much difference in performance.

What I did notice was a slight decrease in flow and a significant decrease in electric bill.

Conversly, make sure your plumbing can handle a pressure rated pump - don't go swapping out pumps without evaluating your connections (barb fittings are the most vulnerable).

House