Throttling Return Line?

[usvi diver]

I have my sump and main tank all plumbed up now. The only problem is the drain line wont keep up with the return pump. I am thinking about throttling the return line. What problems am I going to cause myself by doing this?

By the way, I have a Dunner 1200GPH return pump, 1" return line, 1 1/4" drain line using a Durso standpipe. The drain line has no restrictions and drops straight down into the sump.

 

[grouper therapy]

None. Throttling back has no different effect than additional head loss. Just slower flow.

 

[grouper therapy]

grouper therapy;896280 wrote: None. Throttling back has no different effect than additional head loss. Just slower flow.

Actually less flow

 

[tinmanunited]

It's perfectly acceptable, and will actually use less power.

 

[seth the wine guy]

^^^
I throttle mine and works just fine

 

[mc524]

I plumbed a second return line. I placed a T just above the check valve that is mounted on the pump. I have this second return line to dump back into the sump. So my main return line is wide open, and I used the 2nd return as my throttle valve. It was also put in-in case something happened to my return. I could bypass it and use the 2nd until the main could be repaired. It also serves as added flow into the fuge area. Works great!

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[grouper therapy]

Most all the pumps we run in the hobby have a performance curve available for that pump. It will give you a GPH based on the dynamic head loss (both vertical and friction loss) Along that curve is a sweet spot for that pump, usually 1/3 of the way or so. That is where the pump is usually most efficient thereby operating at lower temps as well.Ideally you would want to match the pump with a " sweet spot" that closely coincides with the total head loss you are expecting to have on your system. That said if you need to up size a little due to adding losses later(reactors etc.) placing a valve to restrict the flow is fine. The pump does not recognize the valve over say additional vertical lift. Unless the flow back to the sump serves a purpose as mentioned above doing so is of no value and may actually cause the pump to run hotter due to using more watts.

 

[giulianom]

Throttling the output of a pump is perfectly fine.

Throttling the intake of a pump is not recommended.


A Gate Valve will give you the best control for adjusting the flow.

 

[usvi diver]

Thanks for the info. I installed a valve and will test it this afternoon.