Too much flow?

[jrlafrance]

Quick queston for you more knowledgable guys and gals out there. Currently I have a Rio2100 as my return pump. I'm looking at buying a Gen-X PCX-40 pump to act as my return, and supply for my chiller. Is this going to cause too much return flow for my tank? Can I throttle it back some with valves without causing problems for the pump?

[iVgOnMaD]

Might be too much for the chiller, you might need to get a smaller pump to run it separately or include a bypass so you can redirect water away from the chiller.

Depending on your size sump it could also be too much flow and could cause you to have micro-bubbles from too much water turbulence.

Other than that, I don't think its too much flow.

HTH,
Ivan

PS. Not sure what kind of volume your HOB overflow can handle but you need to keep that in mind when upgrading pumps.

[iwantone]

I just bought a sequence dart. Here's a quote from the manual

"All of our pumps can be "valved back" as long as its done on the discharge line. It will not only reduce the flow, it will lower the watt useage and extend the life of the motor and the seal"

Please note we are only talking about a sequence pump. Your Rio would probably electricute you if you tried this.

[SDguy]

Just read a thing about genx submersible pumps in the "waste of money" thread on RC. Something about them being junk because of a rusting heatsink. You may want to research this...

[Techknowledgy]

I have a Gen X 40. The one you are talking about. It is kind of noisy, but other than that it works like a charm. It too can be trottled back. With no head, it cranks almost 1200 gph. I would set it up so that flow from the pump can be redirected to the chiller, and controlled with a valve. The rest can go to the tank as long as your overflow will handle it. I love mine, but it is not submersible!

[mikebo502]

The PCX-40 or MAK4 is an external pump.

[mikebo502]

but it is not submersible!

You beat me to the post!

[Techknowledgy]

Yup. To make it quieter, this is what I did. Took a piece of dense foam 1/2 inch thick and put it under the pump. Then screwed the pump down to the board it sits on. Much more quiet.

[SDguy]

The PCX-40 or MAK4 is an external pump.

Brain fart, especially since I own the 55 . My bad

[Techknowledgy]

I really like mine Peter. Mine can be noisy because it is in the basement, but if you want a VERY quiet one I wouldn't want it. I kinda wish I had bought the Gen-X PCX55HP (High Pressure) External. Just a little more flow, but the one I have works fine. Sorry about your cerebral gastro-intestinal event!

[DaveMorris]

I am running two PCX-40's on my 135g as returns and love them. The foam pad idea works well and will work even better if the pump is not screwed down. Vibration will still travel through the screws and the pump will not "walk" if it isn't screwed down. As far as noise, I don't think mine are very noisy at all.

[Techknowledgy]

Dave is right. I only have one for my 125 as a return, but may add another. The screws are not tight, just my obsessive compulsive overbuilding of everything! (What about an earthquake or a sunami?)

Dave would know this. Could I add a second PCK-40 to my tank and plumb it so that it goes to the same return as my other pump? That is a 8 foot flexible PVC pipe that goes up to the display tank. I don't want to replace the one I have, just increase the flow, and have more options. Not quite sure how I would plumb this, but it seems like it should work.

[SDguy]

I really like mine Peter. Mine can be noisy because it is in the basement, but if you want a VERY quiet one I wouldn't want it. I kinda wish I had bought the Gen-X PCX55HP (High Pressure) External. Just a little more flow, but the one I have works fine. Sorry about your cerebral gastro-intestinal event!

I would never recommend a HP version of any pump unless you are using it in a specific application that requires high pressure. Too much noise and watts, IMO/E.

[Techknowledgy]

That extra pressure would help overcome the 8 feet the water has to go straight up to get to my display.

[DaveMorris]

I think it would depend on how big the return pipe is. You may be dealing with some wierd hydrodynamic issues, but I think it should work. I think the the return pipe would need to be at least 1" - 1.5" to avoid problems with back pressure. As far as how it would be plumbed, you could use an ABS Y fitting or a regular PVC T. I have my two returns feeding my chiller and refugium and they both return to the tank separately.