bswe22 Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 So I am plumbing a 38 gallon. I am using a mag 5 pump for the return. It has a 1/2" outlet. My question is should I step that up right out of the pump? Maybe step it up to 1" or 3/4" or would it be best to leave it 1/2" pipe all they way to the top of the tank? (scratch) Thanks Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nnewhouse Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 I would go to 3/4 strait out of the pump. The smaller the pipe the more restriction and harder the pump has to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bswe22 Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 Do you think 1" would be to big? Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nnewhouse Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 No not really. What is the bulkhead size on your tank for the return? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bswe22 Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 It is a 1" bulkhead. Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 If it's already 1/2" at the pump then stepping it up will only make a difference at the elbows. No need to go to 1" though as it may actually slow the flow down since you will be pushing more water volume up (I'm guessing about 3 times as much). Personally I would probably just stick with 1/2" all of the way to the top unless you have more than a couple of elbows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 The only problem with stepping the pipe size up is it increases the head pressure on the pump as the pump is having to move quite a bit more water. The total output of the pump will be significantly deceased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bswe22 Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 I will have at least (4) 90's. Here is what I have so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bswe22 Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 I would rebuild your return pipe with 1/2", then set it up to 1" right at the bulk head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 That's what I would do. Even 3/4" is going to almost double the water volume it needs to push uphill. Alternatively you could run flexible tubing (which is actually how I run mine) and then just put a larger elbow at the top which would eliminate most of the restriction from the elbows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bswe22 Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 OK, thanks. One more trip to Home Depot. Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 OK, thanks. One more trip to Home Depot. Bryan LOL, ain't it fun. I think I made 5 trips to Lowes before I finally got everything I needed last time I did mine. (Oh, and I ended up with a fairly good sized box of spare parts) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 LOL' date=' ain't it fun. I think I made 5 trips to Lowes before I finally got everything I needed last time I did mine. (Oh, and I ended up with a fairly good sized box of spare parts)[/quote'] Ha! Only 5? The plumbing guy at HD probably thought I was plumbing a house by the time I was done with my new tank!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Ha! Only 5? The plumbing guy at HD probably thought I was plumbing a house by the time I was done with my new tank!!! It was the fourth tank I set up in as many months so I kind of had it down pat by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bswe22 Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 I would like to think this is going to be the last trip but I know it will be one of many. Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h2odvl Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 I used the reefcentral head loss calc and it seems like you would be better off with 1" all the way from the pump compared to 3/4. Vertical length in feet 4 Horizontal length in feet 1 Pipe diameter in inches .75" Choose your pump: Mag5 Number of 90 degree elbows 5 Number of 45 degree elbows 0 Number of gate valves 0 Number of ball valves 0 Number of union couplings 0 Number of swing check valves 0 Number of pipe exits 2 Number of pipe entrances 1 Total losses are 4.83 feet of head pressure, or 2.09 PSI. with a flow rate of 257 GPH Vertical length in feet 4 Horizontal length in feet 1 Pipe diameter in inches 1" Choose your pump: Mag5 Number of 90 degree elbows 5 Number of 45 degree elbows 0 Number of gate valves 0 Number of ball valves 0 Number of union couplings 0 Number of swing check valves 0 Number of pipe exits 2 Number of pipe entrances 1 Total losses are 4.34 feet of head pressure, or 1.88 PSI. with a flow rate of 287 GPH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 That calculator isn't taking into account the head loss from the extra water volume. It also has to be calculated using the smallest diameter of any piece in the plumbing. In this case it needs to be calculated at 1/2" since that is the size of the pump outlet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nnewhouse Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 It doesn't look like you have a union next to your pump. Make sure you don't forget that so it's easy to take off and clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bswe22 Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 Ok, here is the final outcome. I have a union at the pump if I need to replace or service. I also have a ball valve to shut down water flow if needed to service pump and to control flow. I went with 1/2" on the return so I didn't lose too much pressure. Does anybody see anything I might have missed or did wrong before I glue this all together? Thanks Bryan (clap)(clap) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nnewhouse Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Looks good to me! Wait, I think it is missing the most important part. . . . . water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tat2d Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Looking good Brian. Can't wait to see it full of water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h2odvl Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Looks good if you need glue I've got a whole lot if you don't want to buy some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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