Water Pump Interchangeability

[Ivan]

I have an Iwaki pump that appears to be sensitive to ninety degree angles and therefore generates microbubbles in the return that is driving me nuts. Before I replumb to hopefully eliminate the 90 degree angle, I thought about using a Mag 9.5 instead which gives me the option of putting in the sump. The Iwaki generates ~850gph while the Mag generates 950gph. The Iwaki was powering both the return <u>and</u> the skimmer. Given the differences in the two brands of pumps, is it safe to expect to get the same quality of output? Thanks.

 

[DennisF]

You will need to look at the individual pump curves. They show the flow(output) of the pump for differing head(resistance) conditions. The head that the pump works against is the difference in the water surfaces in the sump and the discharge elevation(height above the sump water surface) and the sum of all of the losses in the pipe system due to friction. For most of our systems the main element is the first.