Return pump question??

A

Aldente P.

Premium Member
I got a larger pump, it has 1.5 inch inlet and outlet. My setup is 1 inch. Can i change it to 1 inch without doing harm to the pump or would the restrition burn up the pump?TIA
 
I would say there are several variables concerning that question:
1. Is the pump pressure rated or non-pressure rated? A pressure rated would handle it better.
2. Who makes the pump? Different manufacturers handle extra heat/load better than others.
3. It will cause the pump to work harder and generate more energy waste than is necessary.
4. Very important is the length of the run of 1" versus 1 1/2" piping. Use the calculators on reefcentral to do a few size/pump/flow calculations and check the results.
5. What size does the pump recommend? Some pumps even say the line/plumbing should be larger than the outlet/inlet. This can cause unneeded bubbles/cavatation in more extreme cases especially for the pump inlet size.

Given the caveats above, I'd hazard a guess that it probably *won't burn up* the pump, but you would be better served by getting a better match if you aren't considering enlarging the pipe size. JMO

Doug
 
I would make sure the inlet is the correct size, you do not want to "starve " the pump of water. If you can do 1.5" at the tank then leave teh 1" but them open teh pipe to 1.5" right after the bulk head. If your outlet is smaller then recommended then i would think that you are not getting the pumps full power (GPH).
 
I had the quietone 6000, and upgraded to the quietone 9000. There is a large difference between these two pumps. My thoughts were that i would get different returns that would have four instead of two. The 6000 is rated at 1506 GPH, the 9000 is rated for 2328 GPH. Is this to much of an increase? Thanks for your opinions. :)
 
You could always use 1.5" plumbing from the pump, and either T or Y it off and add another return plumbed over the top. Maybe to a spraybar???
 
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