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06/24/2020, 08:57 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
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Plumming only ONE PUMP to do EVERYTHING!!??!!
I am working on the plumming plans for a new 160 gal (220 gal estimated total system), and I got the idea of having ONE pump do everything.
Basically it would be the return AND I would plum off the discarge to send needed water to all auxiliary systems. Reactors. Skimmer. Return. Refugium. Auto top off (would need a solenoid valve). Algee Scrubber. All off one external return pump and gate valves to control the flow. Has anyone ever seen this? Anything I should consider? Or be concerned about? Thank you so much! Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk |
06/25/2020, 02:54 AM | #2 | |
Ver. 2.1
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Rehoboth, MA
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Quote:
You mentioned ATO. How would that work? An ATO replaces evaporated water with RODI water. The water from the return is tank water. Look here. https://www.google.com/search?q=retu...hrome&ie=UTF-8
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Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614 |
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06/25/2020, 10:00 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Miller Place, NY
Posts: 7,206
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No problem, just get a pump capable of handling the extra head pressure.
IF you are planning on a DC model you will have to oversize the pump, they don't like head pressure. There are 2 exceptions but $$$$.
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250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps. |
06/25/2020, 11:39 AM | #4 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
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Quote:
Any good way to calculate the flow losses? So I know how much extra flow I need? Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk |
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06/25/2020, 05:25 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Miller Place, NY
Posts: 7,206
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On the HOME page here there is a head loss calculator.
Most pumps will have a head pressure chart for head loss. You might have to do a search on the mfg. page.
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250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps. |
06/27/2020, 06:29 PM | #6 |
RC Mod
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Your large return pump is connected to or sits in your sump. Your refugium is part of your sump. Your skimmer also sits in a chamber of your sump. Your ATO will have a pump that feeds water up to the sump. You basically have 3 pumps: the little one feeding the ATO system, the one inside your skimmer driving its bubbles, and your big return pump. You'll also find a 'mixing pump' useful to hasten salt water production: a small Tunze is good for that.
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Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%. |
07/13/2020, 09:42 AM | #7 |
ReefOG
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Morton grove, IL
Posts: 3,976
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In my experience trying to "simplify" and use less pumps has resulted in not simplifying at all. What happens is that flow rates change over time. Reactors build up pressure for example and valves get clogged. this results in flow rates to change to different components driving you crazy and instability in your system. Calcium reactors and skimmers work best with consistent flow rates in my opinion. Media reactors have a specific flow range needed or all your media will be ground to a dust and blown in the tank. I tried it, i woudn't do it again in future builds. Just my opinion.
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07/16/2020, 11:17 AM | #8 |
Convince'em or confuse'em
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: S FL
Posts: 341
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Any single point of failure isn’t the best idea in my opinion. I’ve been using 2 return pumps for years to avoid a potential crash, especially since I’m away from home a lot.
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07/24/2020, 11:29 AM | #9 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Grove City, Ohio
Posts: 10,806
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Quote:
In addition, unless you keep a spare (I had 2 DARTS) to swap out, when your single pump goes out the whole tank stops.
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I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer |
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08/01/2020, 10:05 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Anaheim, CA
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Another way to feed things is off the drain lines to your sump. This is how I feed most things like you listed. You will not need as large a pump saving money on the pump and electricity long term. It costs money to pump water to 6’ or higher. Gravity is free.
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240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube |
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