Calling on all Pump Math Wizards!

Hey everyone--

I'm trying to eliminate some heat in the sump...
currently I have two pumps ... one Rio 2100 pumping water to the chiller which then goes to the DT... another pump, a Mag 9.5 pumping water into the DT as well.

The Rio 2100 = about 350-425 GPH
The Mag 9.5 = about 925 GPH

My IMPORTANT question: Can I eliminate the Rio 2100 pump and just use the Mag 9.5 to connect both the chiller and return to DT?

I have a 72 gallon tank with a wet/dry filtration system.
Any suggestions or figures?

Ryan

 

Do pumps/powerheads really contribute THAT much to heat?

 

You say wet/dry filter, I think you then have an over flow (either box or built in), correct? If so, ditch the 2100 and see if the Mag can keep up with the over flow.

 

Yes I do have an overflow built in...
I was concerned the Mag wouldn't be able to push enough to both the chiller and the DT with some type of T Plumbing to both...

Do you know if the T plumbing is the way to go to use one pump for both...?

 

I was also curious about pressure loss... Would I be turning the tank over enough by sharing pumps as well or should I just be concerned with the overflow not flooding the sump?

 

You might have to put some valves after the T so you get the appropriate flow rate through your chiller. I'm not sure that you'll have enough flow to keep a good amount of flow through your sump from the DT. It depends on what sort of return plumbing you have right now though and how much head loss you are getting right now.

I think as long as you can keep 350 gph going to the DT at least you should be fine. Keeping 350gph+ going to the chiller and 350 gph to the display means you can lose about 250gph to head loss.

What size is the plumbing you're using? To help battle the added head loss/flow loss you could upsize your plumbing a step especially if you're using 3/4".

 

I would install a Magdrive 12 and be done with it. Luna

 

To get a good idea of efficiency which directly relates to heat exchange, you can find the wattage for most pumps listed under specs. With two pumps with equivalent GPH ratings at a certain head pressure, the pump with the higher wattage draw is going to wind up adding more heat to the system.

 

My thoughts exactly. Get a higher power pump, mount it EXTERNALLY, and t-off of that to drive both items off of the single pump.
Where exactly do you have the chiller?

 

the chiller is in a very large kitchen pantry with the door open at all times... it's plumbed through the thin dry wall attached to the living room...