PDA

View Full Version : orca pump venturi

larrybird
04/15/2008, 07:59 AM
I purchased a Reeflo Orca pump for my skimmer. The venturi is threaded on one end. I attached that end to the intake housing of the pump When I start up the pump it doesn't make much bubbles. Could I have the venturi backwards? Reeflo doesn't include instructions on the direction water should flow through the venturi. any ideas?
tkeracer619
04/15/2008, 09:09 AM
The opening of the ventury should be aimed at the impeller.
larrybird
04/15/2008, 09:14 AM
this is the way I have it:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg86/larrybird1/100_3709.jpg
this end, with the hole , is closest to the pump:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg86/larrybird1/100_3712.jpg
this end ,which is tapered towards the hole, is furthest from the pump
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg86/larrybird1/100_3710.jpg
tkeracer619
04/15/2008, 09:19 AM
Ouch, I havent ever messed with the venturi on the orca pump but that doesnt look like a very good one.

If you blow into the line does it start it going.

I'm sure others will chime in on ways to mod the venturi or if they see another issue. Might want to search "orca venturi mod" or something to that nature.

How tall is the skimmer?
JRaquatics
04/15/2008, 09:25 AM
Actually the venturi is just fine. It is a standard venturi design. I would try blowing into the venturi and see if it starts suction. Why do you have the output reduced?
larrybird
04/15/2008, 09:51 AM
the venturi is not clogged it will bubble when I blow but stops when I stop. I reduced it because I had it hooked up with the 1.5 and it was way too strong plus no bubbles that way either
JRaquatics
04/15/2008, 10:07 AM
I didn't think it was clogged. It seems as if the inlet force is not strong enough to pull suction. This has to do with the design of the skimmer body. To test this out you will have to restrict the input flow of the pump and see if it pulls air.
larrybird
04/15/2008, 10:29 AM
ok but do I have the venturi the correct way?
JRaquatics
04/15/2008, 10:42 AM
yes
larrybird
04/15/2008, 11:16 AM
Cool..... now here is a another question. could it be because I have a 90 degree valve on it ?
JRaquatics
04/15/2008, 11:40 AM
That should not make a difference. If you want to rule that out you can take it off while the pump is running and see.
larrybird
04/15/2008, 12:11 PM
thats not he problem...
I am ready to throw the whole thing into the garbage... This pump should be foaming like a rabid dog!!!!
spongebobby
04/15/2008, 01:24 PM
This may be a stupid question but did you confirm that it has a needlewheel inside the housing and not an impellar.
larrybird
04/15/2008, 02:29 PM
It is an Orca pump which IS a Dart pump with a needlewheel Impeller.
larrybird
04/17/2008, 12:36 PM
Well it seems that my problem was that I reduced the out side of the pump from the 1.5" to 1".... I did this because the skimmer had a 1" hole in it already . I enlarged the hole to acceip a 1.5" uniseal and it foams like a Rabid dog!
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg86/larrybird1/100_3715.jpg