Pump System Setup

[gakayaker12234]

<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have a 72 gallon tank with a sump. My 700 gph pump worked fine until I hooked it up to a chiller. Now the flow has been cut to a trickle. I am thinking about putting another 700 gph mag drive pump in-line at the outlet from the chiller…then I have a 700 gph flowing from my sump to my chiller and another 700 gph pump pushing from the chiller back to the tank. The chiller has to have ½ inch in and out and is designed to take no more than 700 gph.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So…my questions are: </span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1) </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Will it work? </span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">2) </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Do I need to have a ball valve or something else to make sure the pumps are “balanced”?</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Any and all ideas are welcome!</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">P.S. – the chiller adds 6’ of head height and I am only pumping about another 6’ of head height overall.</span>

 

[rbredding]

i would suggest either running a T from the pump (one to the chiller -&gt; sump) the other straight to the display..


or you can get a larger (more efficient) pump like a QuietOne or Marineland Utility pump.. (sicce is also pretty good from what I hear)

 

[gmpolan]

+1 bigger pump and a t off

 

[cr500_af]

If you were going to use two pumps, it would make more sense to use one for return and one for the chiller, rather than use the two in-line like that. Either use two pumps, or get a pump of the appropriate rate/head capabilities and tee it off the return.

I personally have a pump for each job, but I see the rationale for teeing it off... less equipment, less heat, less electricity.

 

[grouper therapy]

With a total head loss of 12' + plus whatever static pressure is added you may need to go to a pressure rated pimp if using one pump for both.