Back pressure on sump pump

[Matt Ziemer]

I am in the process of moving my 55g LPS dominated system into a 135g tank. As part of the process, I have ordered a new sump pump. The new pump is rated at about 1400 gph. (Based on manufacturer specs of 1500 with a 4 foot head, and 1300 gph with a 6 foot head, and my plumbing having about a 5 foot head)

If I put a valve on the return line to the tank to scale back the flow, will the back pressure adversely affect the pump?

Matt

 

[Jlobes]

normally, no. i cant speak to your specific pump, but you have the right idea. you want the valve(gate/ball) to be on the return side of the pump, not the intake/suction side. then just throttle down the flow to the desired rate.

 

[Matt Ziemer]

Thanks, Jlobes. I'll go on the assumption that pretty much any pump would respond as if there were just increased head on the system.