Sump/Return pump questions

[Amatuer21]

Hey guys ive got a few q’s on a new project of mine and figuring out flow rates, gph etc. A little background info. I am setting up a 60g cube(1in drain 3/4return) and a 55g basement sump. So, i have approximately 11-12ft to push water back up into the main display. Off of the return i want to build a manifold for additional equipment to run off if needed(reactors and such). Ive acquired a magdrive model 24(2400gph). Now, my sump is directly under where my tank sits so its a pretty much straight shot to the top with the exception of a few unions and a gate valve(restrict flow if needed), plus the manifold that i want to feed. Ive used the headloss calculator and its saying i will be running about 754gph(which its not accounting my gph to run my manifold). Im thinking this is to much flow? Also, the mag 24 outlet is 1in in diameter that i will reduce to 3/4 for my return line, will that make a difference? Im debating on just running a different pump with a 3/4in outlet so no reducing needed and less flow. Im bascially confused and need help lol!

[mcgyvr]

That pump is likely just right for the application...
Typically you want like 3-10x display tank in gallons per hour..
Once you reduce flow from the reactor and the diameter reduction you are right there..

[Amatuer21]

Awesome thank you that is good to hear

[Vinny Kreyling]

To get the flow rate on the chart you need to run @ least the pipe size of the outlet.
Bigger is even better, smaller is not the way to go.

[Amatuer21]

Well dam. What do i do? I need to reduce it to make it back up into my tank. Do i run a pump that has a 3/4 outlet without reduction to match my return?

[Amatuer21]

Am i able to run a 1in pvc line to a 3/4 bulkhead? Is that possible?

[mcgyvr]

Just run 1" as far as you can and reduce down when needed...plain and simple

[Amatuer21]

Ok, makes sense. What would you reduce the manifold down to, 1/2in?

[Vinny Kreyling]

Leave the manifold 1" & reduce with a valve for each one.

[Amatuer21]

Ok great. Thanks guys for the responses!

[mlb75]

IMO if you have the ability as soon as it comes out of the pump up it to 1 1/2 all the way to the bottom of the tank then drop it back down to the 3/4 needed to get into the tank. If you have a manifold take that off the 1 1/2 and then drop it down to whatever you need. By upping the diameter like that you'll see a huge improvement in efficiency. You can always restrict it if needed but put that restriction as close to the output your trying to throttle as possible. The mag 24 should absolutely do the trick but if you're looking at other options I'd consider something that's designed for high head pressure not something that will just overcome it with enough power.

[Amatuer21]

Thanks for the reply. I already started working on the outlet of the pump at 1in. Unfortunately. Hopefully i wont have any issues. Do you tee off the manifold or run a more less forgiving angle like a 45 degress elbow?

[Amatuer21]

Actually that probably wont work considering i need the pipe to continue going upward :/. I also want to add a second tee to run of the return line for water changing. Any suggestions for that? I l

[Vinny Kreyling]

Tee with a valve & hose barb for desired hose, 3/4"?
Support the pipe by the tee because unless you leave the hose attached there will be stress on that section.
Clic Clamps are great for support & if necessary can have a threaded rod to extend from a wall.
Manifolds use Tee's with valves & barbs for vinyl hose.

[steamman]

Lots of advice have been given here. I think it is a bad idea to restrict the flow on any return pump. Better you tee off the return line off the pump discharge ( 1" x 3/4" tee) and send it either back into the sump and or use it to feed another piece of equipment thus saving you the expense of another pump to run something else that may require one. Put a valve only on the bypass of the tee. No reason to put a valve on the return to the tank. This way you can run one inch to the first tee only. You can continue the 1" up to your display if you want but once you restrict the flow down to 3/4" you would not be reducing the restriction by any real measurable amount once you reduce down to the 3/4" fitting.

On another note using your sump overflow to run a filter or reactor could be a bad idea if it clogs. This could lead to an overflow disaster. If you were going to use it to run through say a protein skimmer that has no chance of backing up that would not be a problem. I actually use one of my two overflows to feed my skimmer and have been doing so for many many years without a problem. This way you also save money on pumps and you do not add any extra heat into your tank.

Good luck

[Amatuer21]

Here is what i got going on

[Amatuer21]

Did this manifold up last night. Thinking about spacing it apart maybe a few more inches.

[Vinny Kreyling]

I would.
Make sure adjacent handles can be turned off without interference.

[mlb75]

I second Vinny's suggestion, got to be able to turn them all off at the same time.

[mlb75]

Also would like to see the tank supported a little better, all of the legs appears to only attached to the outside of the platform so that's a lot of shear load and should really be under it like it appears the second level is.

[Vinny Kreyling]

I second mlb75's suggestion, get the legs under the top & tank corners.

[Amatuer21]

Thank you for pointing that out I really hadn't given it much thought. The stand I got off a fellow reefer and just assumed it was good to go. But, that does make sense that you guys pointed that out. I will for sure reinforce it to prevent any headaches down the road.

[Amatuer21]

[QUOTE=Vinny Kreyling;25516474]I would.
Make sure adjacent handles can be turned off without interference.[/QUOTE

Good point lol I'm learning a lot

[Vinny Kreyling]

We all do- every day.

[Amatuer21]

So i got everything up and running ready to start my tanks cycle. Leak testing before i never noticed how strong this pump actually was. Now that i have rock/sand in place i start it up and it seems super powerful blowing all my sand arpund etc. i used a combination of reefflakes and minflakes so i dont have super fine sand. Anyways i diverted water through my manifold via a hose that i ran back into my sump to slow the flow down a bit on my return. It worked. But this magdrive is super loud even in my basement i can hear it humming in my living room. Is this normal? It seemed to get louder after i diverted the water to reduce flow. Should i be worried? I dont want to destroy this pump!