Plumbing vs return pump

Jonandjo · Feb 27, 2016

I hope this question doesn't sound stupid.
I have the following two items I wish to put on my return pump. Firstly a vectron 400 uv lamp and secondly an ocean free stream 1 nitrate filter. Is there any particular order I should put them in and secondly does it matter how far the water has to travel between pump and tank?

I'm running a Red Sea 250 (making it tight to fit the vectron in. Can I run it vertically?) aquarium with a jaebo 6000 return pump running at 40%

Also should I use flexible pipe or should I make it hard wired?

CastAway · Feb 27, 2016

Just my opinion, but I really don't think it would matter where those two were in the overall system flow.

Even a straight length of pipe will increase head, so as short as possible is almost always better.

I'm a fan of hard plumbing, unless you need flexibility as a design element. Movement can lead to leaks and some flexible hose can get brittle over time.

Jonandjo · Feb 27, 2016

CastAway said:
Just my opinion, but I really don't think it would matter where those two were in the overall system flow.

Even a straight length of pipe will increase head, so as short as possible is almost always better.

I'm a fan of hard plumbing, unless you need flexibility as a design element. Movement can lead to leaks and some flexible hose can get brittle over time.

What do you meah by increase head?

CastAway · Feb 27, 2016

Every elbow, every fitting, valve or linear inch of pipe increases the resistance of water flowing through it, which they call "head". A 90 degree elbow is essentially twice the resistance of a 45, and so on. Most pumps will have a rating like, for example, 2100 gph at 35ft of head.

A way to think of this is, that if that pump tried to pump water straight up for 35ft, no water would flow.

A pumps rating, and the calculated head of the plumbing, will give you an idea of what your pump will actually move; when it's brand spanking new, with no wear on the pump and/or no build up in the plumbing.

This is why some choose to use flex. I would rather use a larger diameter hard pipe however, which is another way to reduce head and get more from your pump.