Pump question

C

chrisrush

Premium Member
I'm getting a pair of 6100s for my 120 and I'm thinking about swapping out my mag 9.5 return pump for my current CL pump, Gen-X PCX-55. I have 2 penductors running off it right now.

Right now I have a mag 9.5 return pum (93w), Gen-X CL pump (170w), Seio 1500 (34w) and a modded MJ600 (8.5w) for a total of 299.5w.

What I would like to do is keep the CL pump and add the 2 6100 (45w x 2) along with the modded MJ600 (8.5w) for a total of 268.5w.

My question is this, which pump will create the most heat, the mag 9.5 (submerged at 90w) or the Gen-X pump at an external 170w.

I don't care for the noise of the Gen-X but I do like the flow that the penductors put out. And just the opposite of the mag 9.5, I hate the heat and the flow but I like the little noise that it makes.

Chris
 
There was a really good thread on RC about flow from penductors w/pressure rated versus using a low pressure pump like a dart, and for the electricity used per gph of flow, it was impossible to beat the low pressure pump because they used so much less power. But since you already have it, no point in not using it.

Why are you only modding MJ600s, I would go with 900s. The 600 uses 7.5 watts and the 900 uses 8.5 watts, not much different, but I know the 900s can use bigger propellers and can produce more flow, significantly more if I remember right, check the RC thread about it.

I think that the internal pump will create much more heat because the only place the heat can go is into the water, where the external is not submerged so it will lose a significant portion to the air. Also the impeller section of the genx appears to be plastic, a poor conductor of heat, so I would think heat transfer would be minimal. Also if it is transfering heat, you can place a fan towards the pump to help it run cooler.
 
Thanks for the reply Jason. I think that the MJ is a 900, but I typed out 600 instead.

That was what I wanted to hear about the heat v. flow. I do believe that the majority of my heat is coming from my lights and mag 9.5 pump. I'd like to see what the difference would be if I could re-do the plumbing without the mag 9.5 return pump.

I'm beginning to think that my temp readings have been a degree or two low and with summer coming, that's a bit worrisome. I need to find an accurate thermometer or thermocouple to see if I am correct.

The gen-x pump has an internal fan, which causes me some headaches b/c of the noise that it creates on the tile floor. It runs a little hot, but I don't believe that it is the cause of my heat issues.

Chris
 
The other question that I have is regarding the plumbing of an external pump.

Should I drill the glass sump, which would require draining and removing the skimmer, ca reactor, ect., or should I install a simple u-tube. And if I go the route of the u-tube, anyone got any good pics of one running?

I would also like to know if changing the diameter of the return pipe from 1" to 3/4" would negatively affect the flow. Right now as I have it, the gen-x pump is an over the back style (marc's version) system. I was thinking about just moving the returns from the corners of the tank to more in the middle and using the 3/4" returns as a dry line to run my wiring.

Chris
 
I would also like to know if changing the diameter of the return pipe from 1" to 3/4" would negatively affect the flow. Right now as I have it said:
Are you saying you want to go from 1" down to 3/4" or vice versa, little confused... If you are wanting to step down, it would negatively affect flow, but having a pressure rated pump would handle that better than a non-pressure rated pump. If you are talking about stepping up, I think it would help your flow.
Click to expand...
 
Yea, stepping down is what I was referring too. B/c the return plumbing on my mag 9.5 is 3/4" I was going to use the same plumbing for the gen-x pump but put the penductors on the nozzle end.

I'll probably just end up using the 3/4" lines as an emergency drain and a dry line.

You going to be around this afternoon?

Chris
 
No, I am going out to the parentals for the afternoon. I should be around tomorrow afternoon and perhaps thursday.
 
@Olaggie01 wrote:
Yea said:
If you are using 3/4" on your Mag 9.5 now, that is part of the heat issue. Change the plumbing to 1.5" and then see how the water temperature reads a day later.

Always double the outlets of a Mag pump when plumbing it in. This is in the instructions.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Marc. I was originally going to use 1.5" pvc, but it would have to step it down to 3/4" to get it past the bulkhead.

I'm going to go with the gen-x pump on the return and the tunze for in-tank turnover.

This should give me about 4,000 gph more flow with 30w less power. Not too bad, eh?

Chris
 
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