Return Pump question

rchull69 · 11-03-2005, 07:31 PM

I currently have a CPR CY194 12 gallon sump with 6" diameter skimmer built in. I have a Mag 18 (1800gph) return pump that pushes the water out of the sump, into a 40w UV sterilizer, then into a 1/3 HP chiller. There is a total of 11 feet of 3/4 PVC pipe, these measurements include the sterilizer and chiller before it goes another 54" (4.5 ft) up to the back of my tank. That's a little over 15 ft of 3/4 PVC pipe. Here is my question. The sump specs say not to exceed 800 GPH. Right now I have temporarily installed 2 3/4 Penductors to test waterflow, which are amazing I might add, but it's slowing the water return back to the sump. I have an additional two 3/4 Eductors that I am going to install this weekend and wanted some opinions on what size return pump I should install. I was thinking of a Mag 24 or a Mag 36. What would one recommend? I read somewhere that the Penductors and Eductors require a minimum of 400-500 GPH to work properly as well. Thanks.

xtopher · 11-03-2005, 08:35 PM

don't know much about the "ductors" so bump

rchull69 · 11-03-2005, 08:56 PM

The only difference I detect is that the Penductor is much shorter and less bulkier than the Eductor. I tried the Eductor first and it was so powerful that it moved all the sand on the other side of my 72" wide tank. The Penductor is about 25% less waterflow, but wider volume of water.

Eductor Links: http://www.emperoraquatics.com/commeductors.php

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/.../9846/cid/2953

Penductor Link: http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/.../9846/cid/2953

rchull69 · 11-03-2005, 10:59 PM

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...3/beginner.htm

Loverotties · 11-03-2005, 11:01 PM

Nice little setup!

rchull69 · 11-03-2005, 11:10 PM

Thanks. Yeah, it's nice to be able to do maintenance from the garage. So, does anyone at least think that a 3600gph pump would be overkill to push through all that plumbing and through 4 return nozzles? I would also be putting a flow control valve inline so I can slow down the flowrate if need be.

Geoff · 11-04-2005, 03:40 AM

read the requirements carefully about the eductors. Mag's are not able to push an eductor efficiently. even the bigges Mag is barely able to push a single eductor. high pressure pumps are required.

remember this thread.

this thread also has a better description on what exactly is needed to run an eductor.

if you have a high pressure pump in your sump an eductor is a great way to increase the flow. you will be able to thearetically get close to 2400gph out of a 600gph overflow. but you need the right pump. a Mag is not going to do it.

G~

LiquidLunch · 11-04-2005, 09:38 AM

what is your gph going into your 40w UV sterilizer?

bob30329 · 11-04-2005, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidLunch

what is your gph going into your 40w UV sterilizer?

rchull69, I suspect the GPH thru your UV is too fast to make a difference. to increase the dwell time I plumbed a bypass into the return line (see the terrible photos).

Water is flowing from right to left back to the sump & tank. The tube on the right goes into the bottom of the UV.

regulate flow through the UV with the valve. the more the valve is closed, more water flows through the UV.

Inititially close the valve to push the air out of the UV, then dial it back to reduce UV flow.

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59854

LiquidLunch · 11-04-2005, 10:32 AM

that's why i was asking ;-). my maxijet1200 was pushing too much through mine and i now use a maxijet900(@180gph through my emperor 25watt)

bob30329 · 11-04-2005, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidLunch

that's why i was asking ;-). my maxijet1200 was pushing too much through mine and i now use a maxijet900(@180gph through my emperor 25watt)

See my edit - You had a good question for rchull69.

rchull69 · 11-04-2005, 06:19 PM

bob30329, that's a good idea and I just did it to my setup today, thanks for the info.

bob30329 · 11-04-2005, 09:52 PM

Geoff · 11-05-2005, 06:33 AM

here is a great site that helps answer a lot of questions about eductors.

G~

rchull69 · 11-20-2005, 08:07 PM

Okay, it's been a couple of weeks since last post, but I got it figured out and finally done. But first, a funny little story that caught me offguard. I was out and about last thursday night when my wife called me on my cell and said that there was water all over the wood floor around the tank. I told her to shut off the pump and I'd be home shortly. When I got home, I started up the pump and noticed that the left side overflow was really slow to drain. I made up new water and filled the sump, turned it on and finally got it to flow decently by using the inline ball valve to slow it down. I came to the conclusion that the 1" pipe was too small and there had to be something blocking the flow. All fish were accounted for as well. I got up saturday morning, cut the old 1" pipe out and sure enough, a 3/4 diameter Margarita snail was looking at me. Nutty as poop I tell you!!! I drilled from underneath the tank and installed 1 1/2" bulkheads and same diameter pipe all the way to the sump. I then instaled a Mag 2400 pump that sits in the sump and it is inline with an external 1400 GPH pump pushing through a 40w UV steralizer and then into a 1/3 HP chiller and through the wall and to the 4 way returns. The 2 outer returns have Eductors and the center 2 are Penductors. WOW is all I can say. The water turnover rate is incredible and the water movement is way better. I also hid a RIO 1700 behind the rocks as well to stir things up. So, what does everone have to say? Opinions would be great. Thanks for all the great advice last post, and I highly recommend the Penductors/Eductors. They are definitely doing the job, just can't wait till they grow some coraline algae to cover them up better.

Return Pump question

Update on Eductors and Penductors