tom_c55 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 i read that if you have your return plumbed with hard pvc and right angle pvc pieaces it makes your pump run hotter is this true because when i run my pump my water temp gets up into the 90s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseCityAquarium Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 What kind of pump are you using? Every angle piece in the plumbing will reduce flow and make the pump run harder. I use mag drive pumps. Very happy with them. Great pumps. They do heat up a little but not enough on my tanks to make a difference. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I would have to agree with Nick. I use mag pumps as well and haven't had any problems with the temps. I did have a problem with a Little Giant pump raising the temps but at that time I didn't have any elbows at all in the return. Now I have 4. One just after the outlet, another at the entrance to the tank, and 2 more to route the outlets to the front of the tank (I actually have two 45's in it as well). Just be sure the plumbing is sized properly. I use 3/4" with about 750 GPH on my mag 9.5 for the return which then splits out to two 1/2" pipes. (My drains are 1") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Can you hold your hand on the pump when it's running. If you can't then it's probably running too hot and you may need to see if the plumbing is sized properly or you need to replace the pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_c55 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 its a little giant 1200 gph it looks like 1/2 inch pvc to me maybe that is the problem i bought it and it was already plumbed its got 6 elbows i believe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 its a little giant 1200 gph it looks like 1/2 inch pvc to me maybe that is the problem i bought it and it was already plumbed its got 6 elbows i believe I think 1/2" is too small for 1200 GPH. If it's easy to change the plumbing then I would change it to 3/4". (I actually run 3/4" on my mag 18 closed loop also and it stays cool) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blown65 Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I think 1/2" is too small for 1200 GPH. If it's easy to change the plumbing then I would change it to 3/4". (I actually run 3/4" on my mag 18 closed loop also and it stays cool) 1200 gph is 20 gpm. 1/2", 3/4" and 1" are really on the small side for that flow rate without having lots of head loss. Sure you can run it, but your really shooting yourself in the foot by reducing flow. Run a larger line and then reduce where it goes into the tank and watch how much flow you gain. Ill scan some flow charts tomorrow so you guys can see TDH friction losses of various size piping. 20gpm thru 1" is ok if your runs are very short. I'm not completely sure how motor loading goes on magdrive pumps, but centrifigal style pumps will pull a higher amp load on higher flow rates, if you restrict the pump with small tubing it would lower the amperage draw. Put a amp meter or kw meter on your pump and the watch what happens when you run the pump in your sump with no hose attached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barelycuda Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I run a rio 3100 with 5 90's and 1 tee. it comes off the pump in 1" to the tee and then up to 2 seaswirls with 3/4" and have no heating issues. If you are running 1200gph and only plumbed with 1/2" t hen my guess is you need larger return plumbio\ng. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrellw Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Actually, restricting the output of a centrifugal pump makes it use less energy. Imagine the output completely closed off, all the pump is doing is spinning the water around in the pump chamber. Once it is up to speed, it take relatively little energy to keep it going. Compare that to a pump with the output open, it constantly has to accelerate the incoming water as it replaces the water that is pumped out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 1200 gph is 20 gpm. 1/2", 3/4" and 1" are really on the small side for that flow rate without having lots of head loss. Sure you can run it, but your really shooting yourself in the foot by reducing flow. Run a larger line and then reduce where it goes into the tank and watch how much flow you gain. Ill scan some flow charts tomorrow so you guys can see TDH friction losses of various size piping. 20gpm thru 1" is ok if your runs are very short. I'm not completely sure how motor loading goes on magdrive pumps, but centrifigal style pumps will pull a higher amp load on higher flow rates, if you restrict the pump with small tubing it would lower the amperage draw. Put a amp meter or kw meter on your pump and the watch what happens when you run the pump in your sump with no hose attached. I forgot about the short run when I mentioned the closed loop on mine. I have the pump mounted next to the drain and return making it about 18" total. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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