What Size Pump?

[ikon]

I want to plumb my dual 55g tank setup like the picture below. I estimate about 15ft of pipe extending from the pump. Each 55g tank will have a 600gph overflow box. What size pump should i get to run this efficiently? Any make/model you reccomend? i want enough power to make the returns effiiecent powerheadsbr>

Im looking at the Quiet one pumps, either the 4000 (980gph) or the 5000 (1330 gph). What do you think?

 

[SkiFletch]

I'd use a 4000 High Head model. When pushing water upwards, head pressure is way more necessary than flowrate. I could go into the fluid dynamics of the problem but I'd probably loose you on the example.

 

[ikon]

Thanks, here are the head loss calculations for my application:

Quiet one 6000 (rated 1506gph) @ 1" piping: 676gph

Quiet one 4000 HH (rated 980gph @ 1" piping: 712 gph

BUT the 6000 has a 1" outlet on the pump, and the 4000 only has a 3/4" outlet on the pump...if i put a 3/4" - 1" coupler on the pump and ran it 1" the rest of the way would that subtract any pressure from the stated reading above? because i think that pressure reading is assuming the 4000 has a 1" outlet.

 

[SkiFletch]

I would definitely put 1" piping on the outlet up to the point at which you have the T fitting to go to the two respective tanks. I might even use 1.5" piping. Wider pipes create less pressure drop (head loss) per foot of pipe. So the short answer is, yes, wider pipes will increase your flowrate at the outlet. You can get to a point of diminishing returns though, and going bigger than 1.5" probably isn't worth it.

Will you be running the pump in-line or submerged?

 

[ikon]

Submerged...

i think i am going to go with the 6000...with 1.5" piping it will be 968 gph so i have two questions:

Should i reduce at the tee when i go across to each tank to increase pressure? how much should i reduce?

Will i be safe running 968 gph with two 600gph overflows? (common sense says yes)

thanks!

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah it would be safe to do so.

Actually after further review it seems many people are complaining that the 4000 high head model is pretty loud, while the 6000 gets great reviews... Looks like thats a better chioce

I'd go with 1.5" piping from the pump up to the first split, then 1" pipe to the back of each tank. I'd also put a shutoff valve on one of the 1" pipes (prefferably the type with union fittings on either end of the valve) just in case you need to service anything. Then it looks like you want to split again for 2 outlets into each 55g tank, and if so I'd use 3/4" pipe for that final split. I'd also put unions nearest the tank itself and the pump in case you ever have to move things (or in case your pump ever dies) and of course a check valve on the 1.5" line. So your flow path for the return should be:

Pump -> Fittings to go to 1.5" pipe -> 1.5" Gate Check Valve -> 1.5" Union Coupler -> 1.5" Pipe -> T fitting -> Reducing fittings (if necessary) to 1" Pipe -> Ball Valve with Union Fittings -> 1" Pipe up to top of individual tanks (perhaps use 45 degree elbows to get the pipes up to the tanks) -> T fitting -> Reducing fittings (if necessary) to 3/4" Pipe -> 3/4" Union Coupler -> Over the rim and into the tank.

Where possible use 45 degree fittings as opposed to 90s since they reduce flowrate less

 

[ikon]

Thanks!