Return pump overkill

[Seggsy]

OK, old project #2

Finally replacing my return pump that died in the summer with the mag 12 I picked up (was using some pond pump from a buddy temporarily).  The mag 12 runs pretty quiet, but kicks out a TON of flow, so my water level in the display is up a bit, and the overflow is getting louder (have a dursa standpipe).

Is there something I could add to scale down the mag 12?  It has a 3/4" threaded in-flow - I suppose I could just use a restrictor down to 1/2" or something, but hoping there is something that I can install and then adjust to my liking.

 

[Neopimp]

Valve on the iutput of the pump, not on the suction
Just close the valve until you get the desired flow

 

[ricklalonde]

You could reroute some of the flow back to the beginning of the sump. A ball valve and a "T" will do the trick.

I was always under the assumption that you shouldn't restricted the flow of a return pump. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure I read it somewhere or someone once told me that restricting the flow can damage the pump.

 

[Fraggle Rock]

I agree with Rick, a lot better to bleed off pressure then restrict it.

 

[Krazykarl]

+1....

Pump-T-ball valve-tank
              |--sump

 

[Krazykarl]

Also, reducing the size of the output from the pump would increase pressure I would think. I've always understood you go up one size from the pumps output. 

Ie: output = 3/4", I would use a reducer to step up to 1" PVC. Less strain on the pump

 

[Neopimp]

There is no issue pinching in on a pumps output up to 25 to 50 percent. The pump moves less liquid , does less work, uses less power.




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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=42.988859,-82.361891

 

[Seggsy]

If I do restrict the flow, better to do the input, or the output?  More convenient would be the input...

 

[Neopimp]

Definitely the output, never restrict an input


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=42.988992,-82.361767

 

[Krazykarl]

Dan I'm running a mag 18 on my system. At wide open my tan would overflow, so I T'd off the return line and restricted the flow to the tank. The rest of the water gets redirected back to the sump. Pump is still operating at Max efficiency and my tank overflow keeps up.

 

[phi delt reefer]

Dan I'm running a mag 18 on my system. At wide open my tan would overflow, so I T'd off the return line and restricted the flow to the tank. The rest of the water gets redirected back to the sump. Pump is still operating at Max efficiency and my tank overflow keeps up.

when you restrict a pump it also lowers the electrical draw of the pump so you end up using less electricity.

mag drive pumps are notorius for being ineffecient in terms of heat output and large electrical draw so the more you can restrict it the better.

other option is to tee off the pump to run you reactors and remove any small pumps you have in your sump that were running the reactors.

 

[Seggsy]

other option is to tee off the pump to run you reactors and remove any small pumps you have in your sump that were running the reactors.

Hmmmmmm....... very interesting......... ???

 

[TORX]

[quote author=phi delt reefer link=topic=1985.msg15161#msg15161 date=1327415854]
other option is to tee off the pump to run you reactors and remove any small pumps you have in your sump that were running the reactors.

Hmmmmmm....... very interesting......... ???
[/quote]

Hmmm... very interesting in deed. I may be in the market for a new pump soon Pretty sure Blob is doing the same at the moment.

 

[Krazykarl]

I've thought about this a lot. I'm running a mag 9 on my skimmer. Thought about running my mag 18 on my tank and my skimmer and eliminating a pump. Only problem I see is when I feed I close my ball valve to my tank so the food doesn't get sucked up right away. if I did this my skimmer would overflow.

 

[Neopimp]

with the T you will not see any power savings.. not like it really matters for a small pump lol..
Either way will work its just what you feel like doing.  I can assure you that pinching back a pump is not hard on them. but if you are gogin to be cutting your plumbing to add a valve you may as well add a Tee as well.  Even if you dont use it it gives you the option of running water to another piece of equipment in thte future.

 

[Blob-79]

[quote author=Seggsy link=topic=1985.msg15169#msg15169 date=1327422096]
[quote author=phi delt reefer link=topic=1985.msg15161#msg15161 date=1327415854]
other option is to tee off the pump to run you reactors and remove any small pumps you have in your sump that were running the reactors.

Hmmmmmm....... very interesting......... ???
[/quote]

Hmmm... very interesting in deed. I may be in the market for a new pump soon Pretty sure Blob is doing the same at the moment.
[/quote]

yeah man..all the cool kids are doing it!

 

[Blob-79]

with the T you will not see any power savings.. not like it really matters for a small pump lol..
Either way will work its just what you feel like doing.  I can assure you that pinching back a pump is not hard on them. but if you are gogin to be cutting your plumbing to add a valve you may as well add a Tee as well.  Even if you dont use it it gives you the option of running water to another piece of equipment in thte future.

agreed, may as well put a T and another valve after that T for future expansion possibly

 

[Duke]

from what i understand is like phi said, pinching off the pump is ok, but only on the output side.. you cant restrict the input side at all, that is hard on a pump. i have a reeflo pump and i keep it restricted with ball valves on my return lines, which draws less electricty as the pump isnt pushing as much water.. this is ok to do, its in the reeflo manual. not sure about all pumps tho, might wanna do some research on your actual pump and see if its ok.

 

[pulpfiction1]

there are no issues when restricting the output of your mag pump,like many posts,you dont want to restrict the intake