Pump, sump and elbow on the intake

[Pszemol]

Small plumbing question for you, plumbing experts... :-)

When I connect return pump (Little Giant 3-MDQ-SC) to my sump,
should I keep the pump intake stright from the bulkhead or can
I give it 90' elbow to have the pump parallel to the sump wall?

The pump is about foot long, inluding nessecary reduction
inbetween the pump and the sump (I have 1" bulkhead and 3/4"
female intake on the pump) it would take less space in my
cabinet if I can add an elbow right after the bulkhead...
The tank is 30g and I need as big sump as possible to dilute :-)

Also, the pump base has 4 mounting holes. Am I supposed to
drill 4 holes in my cabinet floor and screw the pump permanent?
What is the best way to install it asuring the quietest operation?

Any advice?

[Charles Spitzer]

it doesn't matter. what matters is the output side, and you want that to be
as straight as possible to prevent extra head loss.

"Pszemol" > wrote in message
...
> Small plumbing question for you, plumbing experts... :-)
>
> When I connect return pump (Little Giant 3-MDQ-SC) to my sump,
> should I keep the pump intake stright from the bulkhead or can
> I give it 90' elbow to have the pump parallel to the sump wall?
>
> The pump is about foot long, inluding nessecary reduction
> inbetween the pump and the sump (I have 1" bulkhead and 3/4"
> female intake on the pump) it would take less space in my
> cabinet if I can add an elbow right after the bulkhead...
> The tank is 30g and I need as big sump as possible to dilute :-)
>
> Also, the pump base has 4 mounting holes. Am I supposed to
> drill 4 holes in my cabinet floor and screw the pump permanent?
> What is the best way to install it asuring the quietest operation?
>
> Any advice?

[Pszemol]

"Charles Spitzer" > wrote in message ...
> it doesn't matter. what matters is the output side, and you want
> that to be as straight as possible to prevent extra head loss.

Are you sure? I heard you should not restrict pump intake.
It would shorten the life of the pump.

I wonder, if I'd put the 1" elbow it would be lesser restriction
than if I put reduction first and then 3/4" elbow near the pump...

[Charles Spitzer]

you're not supposed to restrict it, like with a valve. an elbow adds some
restriction yes, but not enough to count. you're only talking about a
distance of a few inches. it won't matter which end of the pipe you put the
reduction on, although it would be better if you used larger pipe and a
larger bulkhead all the way.

i have the same pump. i plumbed it with a straight from the bulkhead to the
intake, an elbow pointing down in the sump to draw from the bottom of the
sump, and straight up output to my returns.

"Pszemol" > wrote in message
...
> "Charles Spitzer" > wrote in message
...
> > it doesn't matter. what matters is the output side, and you want
> > that to be as straight as possible to prevent extra head loss.
>
> Are you sure? I heard you should not restrict pump intake.
> It would shorten the life of the pump.
>
> I wonder, if I'd put the 1" elbow it would be lesser restriction
> than if I put reduction first and then 3/4" elbow near the pump...

[Dragon Slayer]

elbows or any type plumbing on the intake side have just as much restriction
as they do on the output side.

but a single 90 isn't going to cause enough loss to make it not worth while
to get your pump in a position you prefer.

kc


"Charles Spitzer" > wrote in message
...
> you're not supposed to restrict it, like with a valve. an elbow adds some
> restriction yes, but not enough to count. you're only talking about a
> distance of a few inches. it won't matter which end of the pipe you put
the
> reduction on, although it would be better if you used larger pipe and a
> larger bulkhead all the way.
>
> i have the same pump. i plumbed it with a straight from the bulkhead to
the
> intake, an elbow pointing down in the sump to draw from the bottom of the
> sump, and straight up output to my returns.
>
> "Pszemol" > wrote in message
> ...
> > "Charles Spitzer" > wrote in message
> ...
> > > it doesn't matter. what matters is the output side, and you want
> > > that to be as straight as possible to prevent extra head loss.
> >
> > Are you sure? I heard you should not restrict pump intake.
> > It would shorten the life of the pump.
> >
> > I wonder, if I'd put the 1" elbow it would be lesser restriction
> > than if I put reduction first and then 3/4" elbow near the pump...
>
>

[Pszemol]

"Dragon Slayer" > wrote in message ...
> elbows or any type plumbing on the intake side have just as much restriction
> as they do on the output side.
>
> but a single 90 isn't going to cause enough loss to make it not worth while
> to get your pump in a position you prefer.

Thanks guys - I finally hooked up this pump with 1" bulkhead,
than 1" MPT -> 3/4" barb hose adaptor, then a piece of soft
vinyl 3/4" ID hose and then 3/4" barb to 3/4" MPT 90' elbow
to the pump so the pump is parallel to the sump side wall.

BTW - I am going to use the same vinyl hose for a return line.
Is vinyl safe for marine fish tanks? It is nice black so I like
the fact it will not cover with algae from the inside, but I am
not sure if vinyl is not leaching anything to water...

[Marc Levenson]

The vinyl tubing is fine. Just keep an eye on it because it will begin to flatten over time and can
cause reduced flow. When this happens to me, I put a hose clamp around that spot and tighten it until
the tubing is round again.

Marc


Pszemol wrote:

> "Dragon Slayer" > wrote in message ...
> > elbows or any type plumbing on the intake side have just as much restriction
> > as they do on the output side.
> >
> > but a single 90 isn't going to cause enough loss to make it not worth while
> > to get your pump in a position you prefer.
>
> Thanks guys - I finally hooked up this pump with 1" bulkhead,
> than 1" MPT -> 3/4" barb hose adaptor, then a piece of soft
> vinyl 3/4" ID hose and then 3/4" barb to 3/4" MPT 90' elbow
> to the pump so the pump is parallel to the sump side wall.
>
> BTW - I am going to use the same vinyl hose for a return line.
> Is vinyl safe for marine fish tanks? It is nice black so I like
> the fact it will not cover with algae from the inside, but I am
> not sure if vinyl is not leaching anything to water...

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