pump flow question

What is the best way to cut down the flow on a pump. Restrict it with a valve or could you cut the voltage with a dimmer switch?

 

You can install a valve on the outlet without any problems. Restricting the power to a motor that wasn't designed with speed control will cause overheating.

 

Mr Bill is correct.

Using a dimmer switch is asking for a fire!

With the type of small pumps used in home aquariums, adding a valve on the output of a pump is the way to go. (I'm 99% sure it'll even use less watts when you restrict it with a valve - totally different than using a dimmer switch to feed it less power, that's bad!)

I have a 1050 gph pump which is valved back quite a bit in my system.

 

Thanks I figured that was the way to go but wasn't sure if it would affect the pump badly. I love this site you guys are the greatest. Its really helpful to have answers at a click of the mouse

 

Restricting the discharge of a centrifugal pump in no way harms it, in fact many times it makes the pump more efficient by placing it in its sweet spot on the pump curve so watts per gallon pumps is optimal.