[JEMichael IV]

Hi, I am ready to upgrade my return pumps. They are coming from the basement and I am currently using MAK4 external pumps. 2 of them.

My tank takes 3/4 line for the return line. Question I have is I am looking for a pump that would pump good from the basement, at least 3 to 5 times more than the mak4's are but still be in 3/4. I can keep (in the basement part) larger running, whatever the pump calls for but I will then have to reduce back to 3/4 before it goes through the floor to the tank.

I would say that I have about 15 feet of head pressure running through tubing (not pvc so no hard turns).

Any input would be great.
Thanks!
John

[kevinpo]

No matter what pump you get you will not be able to increase the output because your line is too samll. The maximum amount of flow you can get through a 3/4" line is about 1200 GPH. Thant's the reason the Mak4's are rated at 1190 GPH. With a 1" line and a Iwaki MD100Rlt you can get about 2000 GPH @ 4' head. So in order to increase 3-5 times the flow you need a bigger pipe.

The type pump you need is a WP-MTK333-142-XSX Sequence 1000-Comm. Noryl #3 Impeller closed 3/4 HP 2 pole 1ph. SALT WATER SEALS AND HARDWARE and a 1.5" line. This will deliver the flow you are looking for and is a very reliable quiet pump.

HTH,
Kevin
PS: The pump curve data and info can be found here: http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...=wp&brandID=MT

[JEMichael IV]

Hi Kevin, thanks for the reply.

Well, even if I were to force the Iwaki to 3/4 it should be able to push more than my current mak4's right. The problem with the mak4's is that after 16feet of head they are only doing maybe 400-500gph. So between 2 of them i am only getting around 800-11000gph total turnover.

I have one of the mak4s pushing through a seaswirl and I cannot even feal the water really coming out. I feel it but it really isnt moving the water which is the purpose of the seaswirls.

I know I am restricted, and trust me my next time will have custom bulkheads drilled to my specs but I have a Oceanic RR 172 bowfront so I gotta make due.

I can supply the pump with its rated size piping for the 15 feet of running in the basement but before the floor it would have to be reduced to 3/4 line (about 3-4 feet then it hits the tank).

I look at the output that is coming out of my current lines with the mak4's from the basement and it is barely noticable. I remember my past tank (pusing up with a mag18 from under the tank) through 3/4 and thats would I would like to get from the basement.

I was trying to decide between the iwaki and the sequence pumps. I was even thinking about running another line (other than my 2 that are built into the tank) to a seaswirl that would hang on the back of the tank to get the rec line from the pump to the tank. But again the tank is RR so it only has 2 1inch drain lines so don't know what the rating is on those. They are setup to drain between 2 dursos.

I am just looking to get more movement. I know I should be able to get another 1000gph turning in this tank using 2 3/4 return lines. Just dont know what pump will do it from the basement.


John

[Poseidon]

Hey John, I think Kevin is right, the 3/4 line is the limiting factor not necessarily the pumps. I would try and design a closed loop all contained in the cabinet. That way you can get the flow you want and only have to buy 1 new pump, instead of 2. That way you could use a MAG 12 or 18 to get an additional 1000-1500 GPH no problem!!!

[kevinpo]

John,
What size are the Sea Swirls? Do you just have one 3/4" pipe going through the floor?
I just checked out the pump curves for the Mak pumps and I believe you could improve the flow with a different high pressure pump.

Kevin

[JEMichael IV]

The sea swirl is 3/4.

Yeah I dont think the mak pumps have that good of a rating and they arent pressure regulated. I got them for 60 a pump used so I just bought them and decided to try to use them

I only want to replace 1 of the pumps come to think about it because i am building a battery backup for my tank, and I would like to be able to run 1 mak4 since they use like .8 or .9 amps to run.

Which pump would handle the reduced pipe best? I would keep the rec. spec for the pump for the whole 16 feet of run in the basement so it would be have a harder push into the 3/4 tube when it reduces. It reduces before it goes through the floor then it travels 5 feet of 3/4 to a sea swirl to the tank.

I was thinking the iwaki 100 because it requireds 1inch output and I happen to have 20 feet of 1inch spa tubing here so that would work great then I would reduce to the 3/4. Or would I be better using the sequence which uses 1.5 and obviously pushes more water?

Thanks Kevin!

Poseidon, putting a pump under the tank isnt a option. I really dont want to run any other tubing behind the tank unless I have to. I also dont want the nboise in the room. My room is so quiet because everything is in the basement. If anything I would mount a external pump on the beam in my basement and run the closed loop there. But again, dont want any extra tubing .

John

Originally Posted by kevinpo

John,
What size are the Sea Swirls? Do you just have one 3/4" pipe going through the floor?
I just checked out the pump curves for the Mak pumps and I believe you could improve the flow with a different high pressure pump.

Kevin

[kevinpo]

John,
The Iwaki MD70RLT is the pump to go with (rated 960 gph @ 20' and the Sea Swirl is rated for 850 gph). It also has 1" suction and discharge ports. You would just be wasting power with the MD100RLT (3.4 amps vs 2.8).

HTH,
Kevin