Gallons, Friction loss, size question.....

Aqua Man · #1 06-13-2010, 03:43 PM

I am attempting to double up the circulation on my 375gallon tank. Now currently I am using a Dart which is rated at 4700gallon/hour with a 1 1/2" draw from the sump. I am thinking of T'ing that so I can run 2 x 4700gal/hr Darts. I am thinking that is possible as I am a pumper operator on a fire truck and we push an average of 1200kpa ranging from 50-250 GPM(gallons per minute)on our 1 1/2" attack lines; so I am assuming the 1 1/2" PVC pipe can handle 9400 gallons/hr? as drawing? the head pressure to the bulkhead on the draw is about 20". also now the back of the tank is drilled for 2 x 1" returns.... now can 1 x 1" return handle 4700 gallons/hr, as I will be running one Dart per return?

Thanks

xtreme · #2 06-13-2010, 04:14 PM

Not exactly sure what you are trying to do but this chart might help.

whatcaneyedo · #3 06-13-2010, 06:55 PM

These are high flow - low pressure pumps so I think you're going to have a pretty big drop in flow with this configuration. I wouldn't do two darts as return, leave one as your return pump and set the other up in a closed loop system.

This head loss calculator should be able to give you a good estimate on how much flow you will achieve http://reefcentral.com/index.php/head-loss-calculator.

Aqua Man · #4 06-18-2010, 01:46 AM

Thanks for the info, I decided not to reduce the inlets to 1 1/2". instead I cut a new piece of glass for the side of my sump and drilled two holes for 2 x 2" bulkheads. Oviously 1 running to each pump. The only question I have is the outlet....how many gallons can I pump out a 1" line at 25psi....?