How do I figure GPH? Pump suggestions?

jbaker · 02-18-2008, 07:58 AM

Hey everybody,

I have a mag 9.5 in my sump/fuge with about 5' of head to my 110g tank. According to the mag 9.5 brochure I'm pumping roughly 500gph, maybe a little less, through 1 inch pipe. I want to move the 9.5 into the tank, to increase water flow there, and put a different pump in the sump/fuge. I know I need to flow only about 10% of my tank volume through the sump/fuge per hour. So, (1) How do I figure head loss through various pipe sizes? There has got to be a formula, but I can't find it. (2) I know every bend (90 degrees, 45 degrees) in the pipe reduces flow but how much? (3) Any recommendations for a specific pump for the appplication? Thanks a bunch.

lunatik_69 · 02-18-2008, 08:08 AM

Your gonna have to wait until tangster and company log on. Thier the tech around here in those areas.

jbaker · 02-18-2008, 08:11 AM

Waiting........ :>)

Tangster · 02-18-2008, 08:26 AM

Well you best figure the drain line handling capacity first.. Lots of variables from waters specific gravity to temperature then pipe types to fitting types not to mention the pump's pressure capacity and volume capacity . A short turn Say PVC 90 add a 1/2 ft of static pressure a 45. adds a 1/4 ft. But again I'd find out how much water my drainage design to sump can handle.. Or your pump will over run your drain. With the aquarium hobby stuff close is good. Horizontal pipe static pressure in the aquarium rarely even applies unlike pure vertical does off vertical reduces that a little But then thats controlled by the off set angles of Degrees .

lunatik_69 · 02-18-2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangster

Well you best figure the drain line handling capacity first.. Lots of variables from waters specific gravity to temperature then pipe types to fitting types not to mention the pump's pressure capacity and volume capacity . A short turn Say PVC 90 add a 1/2 ft of static pressure a 45. adds a 1/4 ft. But again I'd find out how much water my drainage design to sump can handle.. Or your pump will over run your drain. With the aquarium hobby stuff close is good. Horizontal pipe static pressure in the aquarium rarely even applies unlike pure vertical does off vertical reduces that a little But then thats controlled by the off set angles of Degrees .

HUH!! Im gonna have to go back to college.

Tangster · 02-18-2008, 08:50 AM

Well I never made College they where all filled up in 1968/69 Hippies and future want to be presidents and senators Not to mention all the Giraldo's and Rambo's where all hiding from the Draft. And My GPA and $$$ where not such that I could go .. But I spent mine in Trade school and Plumbing is far more then cold on the right an hot on the left and waste runs down hill.. Its just like figuring a electrical circuit it all has to equal out.. But you have to know how much water can get out before you can figure how much water you can put in.. (:

lunatik_69 · 02-18-2008, 08:53 AM

Well put. For me,it would have to be a trial and error thing.

lunatik_69 · 02-18-2008, 08:54 AM

BTW, how are feelin Tangster?

reef_guru · 02-18-2008, 09:01 AM

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Article: Pump Head Loss Calculator - Easing System Design

Resistance and Equivalent Length of Fittings

jbaker · 02-18-2008, 09:01 AM

The drain issue will not be a problem. I have two 1 inch drains going to the sump from 2 separate surface skimmers now. They handle the mag 9.5 without any problem whatsoever. Like I said, I only want to run about 10 - 12 gaph through the sum/fuge and return pump. The in tank flow would be handled by a closed loop system through the mag pump.