Too much flow?

[DaveMorris]

Also remember that the specs on the PCX-40 are rating it at 1190gph @ 4'. You won't be losing too much going up the other 4'.

[Techknowledgy]

Thanks Dave. It is already plumbed that way. The flow seems pretty good right now, and as they say, if it ain't broke........ Everything seems pretty happy right now. Chemistry all good, everything is growing, no algae blooms etc. I may just let it ride.

[SDguy]

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

Unless you get into really tall distances, with large enough pipe, you should still be better off getting a slightly larger non-pressure rated pump than a HP version. Comparing the flow vs. head charts and watts for the various pumps, along with the head loss calculator on RC, will tell you for sure....

[Redeye]

damn scientist...

[Techknowledgy]

I know. They keep going back to all of this physics and chemistry, charts and graphs and hydrodynamic test mumbo jumbo.

[SDguy]

Don't hate on the lab coat wearer

[Techknowledgy]

Not you Peter! It is all the OTHER science guys in white coats. You have after all been approved by the FDA!

[SDguy]

Yes. Yes I have. Multiple times. I feel so validated

[jrlafrance]

Thanks for all the input guys. Here is my current situation. I have the Rio2100 which after ~4' head only gives me 360 gph flow. The GenX has a flow of 1180gph @ 4'. My question is this...the chiller has a range of flow from 320-720gph, what exactly does that mean? Is it cooling the water with a lower gph? Does it not cool as well at higher gph? If I go with the GenX, and control the flow to the chiller so that ~500-600 gph are going through it, does that mean that the rest of the flow is going to the return (~600-500gph)? If that is the case, then I don't see any problem with going with the GenX, cause I probably need more flow anyways.

Next question...how do I determine the flow capacity of my HOB overflow? Can it handle the extra flow from the GenX?

Thanks again for all your responses, I'm just trying to nail this down!

[iVgOnMaD]

The slower the flow through the chiller, the more effective it is at cooling the water. Same thing with your refugium.

I would use the gen-x and add a bypass for the chiller and another one for the refugium.

HTH,
Ivan

[jrlafrance]

The slower the flow through the chiller, the more effective it is at cooling the water. Same thing with your refugium.

I would use the gen-x and add a bypass for the chiller and another one for the refugium.

HTH,
Ivan

Great answer Ivan!! Now, should I hard plumb everything, or use flexible tubing like I've got on my return currently? Also, I need to drill a hole for a bulkhead in my sump for the pump. I've never done that before. It's a plexiglass sump. Anything special that I need to know before attempting this? Anyone care to come by and help out? Could I get a visual on how the plumbing should look if I were to feed the return to the chiller, refugium (HOB), and for the return?

[Techknowledgy]

Hey JR,
Drilling in acrylic is a snap. If you DIY, it takes like 5 minutes to drill a hole. I have a hole saw set that you are welcome to borrow, but .... well.... you know where I live!

[jrlafrance]

OK, after much thought, and lots of drawing time (drawing tubes at weird angles isn't easy with Sketchup!), here is a drawing of what I would like to do. What I need now is input on union locations and valve locations, and any other suggestions for the plumbing. Basic layout -- water comes out of the pump, acts as my return, splits off to chiller, returns to return line, splits off again to refugium. Thanks for looking!

[jrlafrance]

Anyone have an opinion? Come on guys, don't leave me hangin when I'm so close!

[iVgOnMaD]

The outlet for your chiller should be going directly in the tank or back into your sump.