Can I restrict the flow on this pump?

[Ethan25]

Quote: Originally Posted by HEADACHE6 I like the diverting idea . It would be good for the Koi's body .

Wouldn't that diverted water need to be filtered? I can't pull much more than 2000 gph through that microscreen....

Ethan

[CarolinaGirl]

Ethan, I have an oversized pump on one of my filters too. I have s Savio skimmer line tied in right before the pump though, and have some filter mats and bio in the savio. I open the skimmer line all the way, and then open the line coming in from the filter as much as I possibly can (there is a 2" ball vlave on each line). It works great for me. I will be adding a shower filter to this system soon, which will add to the bio on that line.

[Ethan25]

Quote: Originally Posted by CarolinaGirl Ethan, I have an oversized pump on one of my filters too. I have s Savio skimmer line tied in right before the pump though, and have some filter mats and bio in the savio. I open the skimmer line all the way, and then open the line coming in from the filter as much as I possibly can (there is a 2" ball vlave on each line). It works great for me. I will be adding a shower filter to this system soon, which will add to the bio on that line.

Cool....that is very similar to what I am thinking of doing.
How much flow can you get with a 1.5 inch line coming from the skimmer?
Thanks!

[MCA]

Quote: restricting the flow after the pump is just like adding head pressure. The pump will cost more to run, but it won't hurt it.

actually a water pumping is consuming power proportionally to the work done (water moved) and therefore indrectly proportional to the resistance (head pressure).

Run a water pump wide on with virtually no head pressure...and you get the greatest flow...and highest power consumption. Ususally the sweetspot is to run a punp with around 1/4 of the maximum head pressure. Of course if varies with brand and model. So check the flow and power consumption charts from the maker.

[Ethan25]

Here is my setup (very roughly drawn).

I did most of this last night....sleep is overrated....

[Ethan25]

Quote: Originally Posted by MCA actually a water pumping is consuming power proportionally to the work done (water moved) and therefore indrectly proportional to the resistance (head pressure). Run a water pump wide on with virtually no head pressure...and you get the greatest flow...and highest power consumption. Ususally the sweetspot is to run a punp with around 1/4 of the maximum head pressure. Of course if varies with brand and model. So check the flow and power consumption charts from the maker.

THis is the chart from the maker:

MDM Incorporated

[CarolinaGirl]

You can do this two ways. the BEST way is set up a separate filter system and gravity flow a 4" line from the skimmer to the filter. Then run a 2" suction line from the skimmer's filter to the pump. You can tie in your bottom drain filter and your skimmer filter to the same pump and use ball valves on each line to regulate the flow. Or....you can use a 2" line in the skimmer wall and suck the water from it at pretty much any rate you want. I personally would prefer the gravity fed line to a separate filter, but space sometimes does not permit that. I have a 2" shower drain in my skimmer box. Make sure you keep the screen on the shower drain. Or even better, attach some other strainer thingy to the line inside the skimmer box. Since it is a suction line, things tend to get stuck to it (like frogs....don't ask...it was disgusting) and it needs to be cleaned off pretty often.

[MCA]

they only show the flow and not the corresponding power consumption curves. but at least these charts let you pick the model you want based on extimated or measured back pressure and desired flow rates.

Personally I always pick one size larger pump. It is easiy to add some additional back pressure with a ball valve to back the pump off of running wide open.

[gcuss]

Nothing to do with the original question... however.

Ethan, I would consider putting a ball valve on the bypass for your UV so you can control the flow to the light. As soon as you start backing off on the flow to the falls, the UV will get hit with increased flow and probably render it useless as you won't have decent dwell time.

Grant

[Ethan25]

Quote: Originally Posted by gcuss Nothing to do with the original question... however. Ethan, I would consider putting a ball valve on the bypass for your UV so you can control the flow to the light. As soon as you start backing off on the flow to the falls, the UV will get hit with increased flow and probably render it useless as you won't have decent dwell time. Grant

The UV has a recommended flow of 2,000 gph, and the Microscreen has a recommended flow of 2,000 gph. I figured to try to hit the 2,000 gph on the nail....can't mess with the microscreen.....