return pump head pressure question

[Gunk]

I did a lot of internet research and it seems that the issues the Rio's had have been fixed with the HF's. I did see a couple of noise complaints but am hoping these were user error issues. It seems a lot of people really like them.

 

[carey]

I can't ever hear my pump and I have no dampening pad underneath it either. Once I get up and running with my new setup I'll be using a mag drive which at that point I can compare. But as of now, no noise or vibration from my rio.

 

[Gunk]

That is great to hear! No pun intended

 

[Gunk]

It will still be better than the aqueon 3000 rated at 625 gph at 0' head that I bought originally. For some reason this is the pump that aqueon recommends for the model 2 proflex sump they sell. I don't really know why they would recommend it because the smallest overflow they sell is rated at 925 gph. I hope I can return both of the over flow and the return pump I got from them. The overflow is just to physically big on my tank and the pump is to small. Well the overflow isn't really to big but I would have to have the tank about 7-8" off the wall. With the eshopps I should be closer to 3" with just slightly less gph but will still be plenty flow for my 46 gal

 

[Gunk]

Oh great so I took my rio17hf to the lfs(marine specialists) and the owner was almost flabbergasted that I would be using that pump on a 46 gal reef. He said its much to powerful and I should have used a regular rio aqua 2500. Great so now I have two pumps I can't/shouldn't use. He suggested I send it back for exchange but the 2500's are backordered and not expected to be instock until 9/30/11. So I guess I continue to wait. I'm kind of hesitant to not listen to him because he seems very sure of himself and if I ever have a problem I don't want to get the "I told you so" every time I go in there

 

[mr_X]

the owner of that store is confusing you for no reason. it's only a couple hundred GPH difference and that can easily be adjusted down with a ball valve. no need to return anything, unless of course you want to purchase a better brand pump.
what problem can you have with using this pump? you can safely choke back the pump with a ball valve at the exhaust port.
are you still using the 925 gph overflow box?

 

[David S]

Go with Mr X,If you dont want 800gph going through your tank throttle the pump down,as for the eshopps overflow,change the u bend from the 1" to the 3/4" to drop the rate to around 600gph.

 

[Buffy]

Can I ask why everyone uses ball valves in their applications for throttling flow?

 

[David S]

Can I ask why everyone uses ball valves in their applications for throttling flow?

I dont,I use the pump valve

 

[carey]

Can I ask why everyone uses ball valves in their applications for throttling flow?

Easy, cheap and effective.

 

[Buffy]

The pump valve? Which pump do you use?

 

[David S]

I use ehiem,they have a valve on the outlet to adjust flow.

 

[Buffy]

Easy, cheap and effective.

Yep, yep and yep but maybe I shouldn't go here but.......

I was asking because I see alot of ball valves used for throttling flow. Ball valves are for "shutoff" flows. They are excellent shutoff valves and are not meant for controlling flow though they can be used that way.

Globe valves are one type of valve made for throttling flow. Cost at the hardware store is about the same.

Ball valves center disc will eventually cut from the flow and pressure against them and need to replaced. The disks that are in the globe valve are made for the flows and take much much longer to wear out depending on the application.

I'm bringing it up cause alot of people use pvc in their piping and replacing a valve can be a pain. If globes were used, the chance of replacing in this type of application is almost nil.

 

[Buffy]

I use ehiem,they have a valve on the outlet to adjust flow.

Thanks, was just curious. If you do use a eventually separate valve for something, just take a gander at my previous post if you like. I was just hoping to save anyone some work in the future.

 

[David S]

Thanks, was just curious. If you do use a eventually separate valve for something, just take a gander at my previous post if you like. I was just hoping to save anyone some work in the future.

Good point,well noted.

 

[Buffy]

Good point,well noted.

Whew I was hoping was wasn't going off topic and was hoping I wasn't stepping out of bounds and on toes.

I'm no good at explaining and it always seems to come out like I'm ??tching. LOL

 

[mr_X]

that's great info. i'm wondering how long it would take for a couple thousand gallons per hour of sea water to wear out a ball valve.

 

[carey]

Let's hope none too soon. LOL

 

[mr_X]

well, in my experience, once you get the flow dialed in, you never touch the valve again. mine have lasted a few years...

 

[Gunk]

the owner of that store is confusing you for no reason. it's only a couple hundred GPH difference and that can easily be adjusted down with a ball valve. no need to return anything, unless of course you want to purchase a better brand pump.
what problem can you have with using this pump? you can safely choke back the pump with a ball valve at the exhaust port.
are you still using the 925 gph overflow box?

I'm using an eshopps 800gph overflow now. The 17hf is 840 gph at 4' head and the rio aqua 2500 is 529 @ 4' head. I was thinking I could just choke it back too. Only problem is I was planning on using 3/4" flexible vinyl for return. Is there a gate or ball valve that I could hook in there? The owner was telling me that it's not the flow TO the tank that counts but it's the flow IN the tank. He said if I run it full open the overflow is gonna have super loud sucking sound.