Mixing station pump size

[Mhalko]

I’m planning to build a simple mixing station in the basement below my display tank, with that I need a way to get the water from below up to my tank and am not sure how strong of a pump I need?
rough measurements are
6ft up 90 turn 8 ft over another 90 then 3ft up
I’m not sure if it’s even possible. If it isn’t lmk it won’t hurt my feelings.

 

[landlubber]

there are plenty of great pumps that can handle head pressure. the issue is affordability. i likely would be looking at a large Jebao as reliability isn't as important for a mixing station/fw storage system.

 

[LeftyReefer]

Its very possible.
You just need to figure out what size hose/tube/pipe you want to utilize first and then use an appropriate sized pump to move the water you want, through that line, the distance you need.

I use a small Sicce pump for water changes and it does fine.

 

[Mhalko]

Thanks you two for your input, I’m still just a little lost I guess from what I have been able to figure out I have relatively low head pressure at around 10? I’m not looking for something crazy to move water just something that will be able to do a 30 gallon water change and mix in salt. If my head pressure is that low I can basically just choose a cheaper pump right?

 

[Smokeshow]

I used a pump from menards. Has garden hose attachments. Then run a 50' hose up to my tank. The pump is plugged into a wifi outlet that I can control with my phone

 

[mike550]

@Mhalko this is totally doable, and I'm doing something similar. Couple of things I've learned. When you are estimating your head requirements, you can estimate each vertical foot is one foot of head loss, each 90 is one foot, and depending upon the diameter of your pipe horizontal runs are one or two feet of head loss for 100' of run (I think). So roughly speaking you have head loss of around 11-12 feet.

When you look at a pump, max head is the height at which a pump won't push water any higher so you basically have zero flow. So a pump with max head of 12' will have zero flow at 12'. A lot of pumps have a curve which shows flow vs. head height. For example on the BRS website, a Syncra ADV 9.0 says it's max head is 15' and max flow is 2500GPH. If you look at the pump curve, the pump will move about 1000 GPH at 12' (3.5meters).

Good luck!

 

[Mhalko]

@Mhalko this is totally doable, and I'm doing something similar. Couple of things I've learned. When you are estimating your head requirements, you can estimate each vertical foot is one foot of head loss, each 90 is one foot, and depending upon the diameter of your pipe horizontal runs are one or two feet of head loss for 100' of run (I think). So roughly speaking you have head loss of around 11-12 feet.

When you look at a pump, max head is the height at which a pump won't push water any higher so you basically have zero flow. So a pump with max head of 12' will have zero flow at 12'. A lot of pumps have a curve which shows flow vs. head height. For example on the BRS website, a Syncra ADV 9.0 says it's max head is 15' and max flow is 2500GPH. If you look at the pump curve, the pump will move about 1000 GPH at 12' (3.5meters).

Good luck!

Thank you this is exactly the confirmation I was looking for. Good luck with yours as well.

 

[airmotive]

Personally, I use the exact same pump as my return pump. The logic being, if I ever come home to a deceased return pump, I have a replacement pump immediately on hand that I know will fit, both in physical dimensions and in performance.

 

[landlubber]

Personally, I use the exact same pump as my return pump. The logic being, if I ever come home to a deceased return pump, I have a replacement pump immediately on hand that I know will fit, both in physical dimensions and in performance.

its a smart move but dang would I feel conflicted about investing in another cor20 that is sitting idle lol.

 

[HJ99]

its a smart move but dang would I feel conflicted about investing in another cor20 that is sitting idle lol.

I went with a Pan World 50PX-X It was less than half the price of the Iwaki I have for a return but has the same plumbing connections. In an unlikely event the Iwaki dies, I could use it until I get a replacement although it will be lower flow. I plan on doing water changes primarily with the basement sump.

 

[a hill]

For the plumbing, it is probably worthwhile to look into using PEX. It isn't rigid, so you hopefully can avoid hard 90 degree turns. PEX tends to be a bit pricey compared to alternatives.

Also, dunno if anyone mentioned it, but don't forget a check valve. Wouldn't want to accidentally drain your tank!

-Andrew

 

[Soup Sandwich]

I have a very similar situation which I am trying to affordably solve. Mixing station will be in the basement, approximately 14 feet under the sump. I would like to run 1/2-3/4” flexible tubing through the floor. Would the below pump work in this application?


I know it is a bit slower gph, but would that be the only downside?
I have been searching all over for people who have similar situations and the only pump recommendations I see are $150+ pump options with no mention of a less expensive diaphragm pump. Is there something I am missing?

 

[chrislower]

I have a very similar situation which I am trying to affordably solve. Mixing station will be in the basement, approximately 14 feet under the sump. I would like to run 1/2-3/4” flexible tubing through the floor. Would the below pump work in this application?


I know it is a bit slower gph, but would that be the only downside?
I have been searching all over for people who have similar situations and the only pump recommendations I see are $150+ pump options with no mention of a less expensive diaphragm pump. Is there something I am missing?

I am also interested in this solution. I have been looking at the below Diaphragm 110V Pump to replace a standard metal impeller design that I picked up from Home Depot. I flush the motor with RODI between any Salt Water pump but I am still worried that it will eventually release harmful metals.


Definitely a little slower at 270GPH but it says it will lift up to 92ft.

Anyone have any experience with pumps such as this. It would only be used for the top off and water changes. All manually activated via network controlled switch.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

 

[mike550]

I am also interested in this solution. I have been looking at the below Diaphragm 110V Pump to replace a standard metal impeller design that I picked up from Home Depot. I flush the motor with RODI between any Salt Water pump but I am still worried that it will eventually release harmful metals.


Definitely a little slower at 270GPH but it says it will lift up to 92ft.

Anyone have any experience with pumps such as this. It would only be used for the top off and water changes. All manually activated via network controlled switch.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

@chrislower your first pump won't lift water high enough for you as it shows a max lifting height of 6'. The second one at 91' is interesting and looks like it could work for you.

 

[Soup Sandwich]

@chrislower your first pump won't lift water high enough for you as it shows a max lifting height of 6'. The second one at 91' is interesting and looks like it could work for you.

The first pump was one that I posted. It has a priming height of 6’, meaning that the pump can be located 6 feet above the water source and still self prime, with many customers using it to successfully pump 20’+ vertically.

 

[mike550]

The first pump was one that I posted. It has a priming height of 6’, meaning that the pump can be located 6 feet above the water source and still self prime, with many customers using it to successfully pump 20’+ vertically.

My bad. I saw the specs and there was 6’ self prime and it also showed 6’ head. So I didn’t see how you’d get 14’ vertical let alone any other losses and still have flow. But if you’ve had experience with the pump going 20’ and having good flow I’m fine with that.

 

[a hill]

I have a very similar situation which I am trying to affordably solve. Mixing station will be in the basement, approximately 14 feet under the sump. I would like to run 1/2-3/4” flexible tubing through the floor. Would the below pump work in this application?


I know it is a bit slower gph, but would that be the only downside?
I have been searching all over for people who have similar situations and the only pump recommendations I see are $150+ pump options with no mention of a less expensive diaphragm pump. Is there something I am missing?

This might be useful. Key word is might.

Aren’t diaphragm pumps insanely loud?

-Andrew

 

[Dunc]

I’m planning to build a simple mixing station in the basement below my display tank, with that I need a way to get the water from below up to my tank and am not sure how strong of a pump I need?
rough measurements are
6ft up 90 turn 8 ft over another 90 then 3ft up
I’m not sure if it’s even possible. If it isn’t lmk it won’t hurt my feelings.

Buy a Siccee. I installed a 7.0 (1900 GPH) between my RODI and Saltwater Tanks. Plenty of power there. That little sucker will run 24/7 mixing saltwater.

 

[Soup Sandwich]

This might be useful. Key word is might.

Aren’t diaphragm pumps insanely loud?

-Andrew

I’m not too worried about the noise. It will only be used to pump already mixed salt water from the basement into the system on the 1st floor. So only a few minutes every 10 days or so. I’m just trying to avoid buying a $200+ pump for such minimal use.