drain feeding pump limitations

[ari5736]

If I feed an external pump with a 3/4" drain from my tank, will the pump be able pull over 600 g/h even though that is the max rated flow for gravity drainage? If yes will the g/h be a function of the pump's output or is there a practical limit of g/h depending on the 3/4" drain

 

[OctaviousMonk]

Where is the pump moving the water to, and is the water hitting a sump first? As a true gravity drain there are limitations to the 3/4" plumbing, but less so if it is only acting in a closed loop type situation because it is acting as a pump driven feed not a drain. I know most 1" drains in a RR tank are supposed to be limited to about 600 gph when draining into a sump. I wouldn't go smaller than 1" for any drain.

 

[regal]

If I feed an external pump with a 3/4" drain from my tank, will the pump be able pull over 600 g/h even though that is the max rated flow for gravity drainage? If yes will the g/h be a function of the pump's output or is there a practical limit of g/h depending on the 3/4" drain

If your pump is rated for more than 600gph, then your output should be more than that but not necessarily at its max. capacity. The gph rate of the drain depends on several factors and the size of the drain is only one of them. It also depends on the velocity of the water flowing inside the pipe. If your drain is going down to the basement, the velocity will be much higher due to gravity and hence the flow per hour will be a lot higher. But it will also be restricted by the resistant/rough inner surface of the pipe.

 

[ari5736]

The drain is actually 1", my bad. The pump is about 1000 gph. The drain is from an internal overflow. Will the aga overflow drain come close to the suction potential of the pump and will there be a suction sound from durso drain pipe?

 

[regal]

The drain is actually 1", my bad. The pump is about 1000 gph. The drain is from an internal overflow. Will the aga overflow drain come close to the suction potential of the pump and will there be a suction sound from durso drain pipe?

Well, that's a totally different scenerio. It depends on how quickly your overflow compartment gets replenish with water from the tank which receives the water from your pump. You might have to remove the durso drain pipe so the water surface is way above the drain hole. Too many variables.

 

[NYreefNoob]

if i am understanding this correct, you want to hook a pump up to the drain on your tank ? if so for what purpose ? to make it drain faster ?

 

[ari5736]

To feed a protein skimmer. Thanks for your responses.

 

[regal]

To feed a protein skimmer. Thanks for your responses.

Now I am totally lost. Drain>>>>pump>>>>skimmer??? Or Drain>>>>skimmer.

 

[ari5736]

drain - pressure rated pump - skimmer (AquaC).

 

[masterswimmer]

Where is the skimmer discharging to?

 

[OctaviousMonk]

I know the AGA "megaflow" over flows state they are rated for 600 GPH as seen here: http://www.aqueonproducts.com/produ...redilled-aquariums-with-megaflow-overflow.htm

I don't think draining dirctly to a pump feeding a skimmer is going to work out for more reasons then one.

 

[ari5736]

The skimmers flow through rate is 550 gph, there is a lot of back pressure, so I am hoping the overflow will be able to handle that rate and that it won't make sucking noises. I ordered the pump and can post my results. I figure I can get raw water going to the skimmer, and not have to drill my sump again for another external pump.
Right now I have a Panworld 70 hooked up as my return pump, granted there are eductors on 2 of the 3 returns (lots of back pressure), but it is still a lot of flow that the aga overflows are presently handling.

 

[ari5736]

Sump next to return intake.

 

[ari5736]

In the sump next to the return pump.

 

[BZOFIQ]

any pics? description seems rather confusing.

 

[ari5736]

Don't have pics yet. Basically, two 1" drains. Both go to sump now with a 2100 gph pressure rated return. I would like to take one of the drains and hook it to the input of a pressure rated pump that will flow into my skimmer that will have a flow through rate of 550 gph. The skimmer discharge is right next to the return pump intake. Noise, cavitation, other issues ...

 

[masterswimmer]

The skimmer discharge is right next to the return pump intake. Noise, cavitation, other issues ...

....serious micro bubble issues, IMO.

swimmer