What is the difference between a powerhead and a return pump?
Powerheads provide internal flow inside the display aquarium only while your return pump is the heart of your tank that moves water through the filtration system. In the situation where you have a sump located down below the tank, your return pump moves water from the sump back up into the aquarium.
How does a return pump work in a fish tank?
In the situation where you have a sump located down below the tank, your return pump moves water from the sump back up into the aquarium. In an All-In-One style tank, the return pump moves water from the back filtration chambers into the display.
What is the difference between supply and return pumps?
Return pumps are typically sanitary stainless steel centrifugal or liquid ring pumps with cleanable seals that are compatible with the system’s product soil and cleaning chemicals. A difference between return pumps and supply pumps is the need for self-priming in return pumps to avoid cavitation and air locks.
What is the purpose of a flow pump in an aquarium?
For fish, proper flow ensures gas exchange and plenty of oxygen and helps to move waste and nutrients into the filtration system for removal. With coral, that flow delivers food and critical nutrients as well as washes away waste. Aquarists provide flow in their aquarium using powerheads and a return pump.
Is plumbing a diy job?
Definitely not a diy job. You may not believe it but the majority of your plumbing will try to kill you if you give it half a chance.
Is a DHW cylinder open vented?
Regarding the DHW cylinder, I am in France, conventional DHW cylinders are not open vented but have an over-pressure protection via a 'group de securite' or a pressure relief valve discharging to outside.
Can a solid fuel cylinder be treated as a radiator?
with standard solid fuel installs the cylinder cant be treated as another radiator, it needs to be gravity and open to stop major safety issues. Best to employ a hetas qualified engineer to install it for you.
What is NPSHR rating?
The NPSHr rating for a pump indicates the minimum amount of pressure required on the suction side of a pump to avoid cavitation. NPSHa must always be greater than NPSHr. When available pressure falls below required pressure, cavitation occurs.
What is a return pump?
Return pumps are typically sanitary stainless steel centrifugal or liquid ring pumps with cleanable seals that are compatible with the system’s product soil and cleaning chemicals.
What is an air lock?
Air lock is the restriction or stoppage of liquid flow caused by vapor that collects at a high point in a fluid-filled piping system or in centrifugal pumps . The vapor is less dense than the fluid, so it rises to high points in the system where blocks occur. Air locks can damage pump seals.
What is the difference between a return pump and a supply pump?
A difference between return pumps and supply pumps is the need for self-priming in return pumps to avoid cavitation and air locks.
What causes cavitation in valves?
Valve obstructions or sharp turns in piping may also lead to drops in available pressure that lead to cavitation.
Why add an air eliminator to a centrifugal pump?
In places where a standard centrifugal pump is already in place, an Air Eliminator could be added upstream of the inlet of the pump to help prevent it from airlock by giving a path for the air to escape from the system.
What is a CIP system?
Cleaning in place (CIP) uses a combination of chemistry, temperature, and cleaning time to weaken bonds between soils and system surfaces . The force created by the supply pump and fluid action removes unwanted substances throughout the system.
How does a pump work in an aquarium?
Pumping water up to the aquarium is hard work. Gravity and friction inside the pipe, tubing and valves reduce the flow rate. The higher the pump has to push the water, the lower the flow rate. This resistance is called “head pressure.” The higher the lift, the greater the resistance to flow. If you wanted a flow rate of 100 GPH and selected a pump that produces a maximum flow rate of 100 GPH, you would be very disappointed. The tubing, elbows, and head pressure would dramatically reduce the actual flow rate in your aquarium. That’s why pump manufacturers provide flow charts based on lift height.
What is the flow rate of a 50 gallon tank?
For example, a return pump for a 50-gallon tank would equal a flow rate of 250-500 GPH (at the point of returning to the display tank).
How does a return pump work in a reef aquarium?
On a reef, waves and tides constantly flush away waste products and bring in nutrients and suspend plankton. The same is true in our reef aquariums. A return pump moves water through the filter sump and back into the aquarium, creating constant water movement in the tank . One of the most common questions we receive is about matching the return pump to the aquarium. There are so many to choose from that it can get a little confusing. But no worries! Here’s what you need to know about choosing the right return pump for your reef tank.
Can you dial back flow rate with a DC pump?
It’s important to remember that if you choose a more powerful return pump you can dial the flow rate back with a valve. DC pumps have the benefit of using an electronic controller to regulate the flow rate, but can’t increase the flow if it is an undersized pump. That’s why we recommend going with a slightly more powerful pump for your reef tank, as it can be dialed back, and will allow the option of plumbing media reactors or a UV sterilizer to it in the future.
