Feeding Skimmer and Tank Return from Same Pump? Feasible?

Feeding Skimmer and Tank Return from Same Pump?[/b]


First - a little background:

I'm moving from my 72g to a 120g and need to maximize the output from my skimmer. I have an ETSS Reef Devil Deluxe that's rated for an SPS tank of up to 120 gallons (ETSS rates their skimmers based on bioload).

In order to filter 120 gallons the skimmer needs a pressure rated pump and for my skimmer the best pump is an Iwaki 20RLT. For those not familiar with the ETSS skimmers they have a patented design called "downdraft" where water is forced through a tower full of bioballs - they are the only company that can produce this design (based on patents). The design has benefits - exceptional skimming capabilities and the ability to remove phosphates while preserving plankton - as well as drawbacks - the need for a pressure rated pump that typically translates into expensive (pump and electricity). Because of the design of their downdraft design the pump will see the equivalent of 10 - 12 feet of head.

My intention was to use an Iwaki 20RLT dedicated to the skimmer and another pump to serve as the tank return. Based on the processing power of my skimmer it needs to be fed 350-450 gph - that's my goal for the return.

The 20RLT, based on output graphs, would produce approximately 270 gph to the skimmer (using 11ft of head).





The Iwaki 20RLT has the following specifications:

HP: 1/38

Flow: 8.2 GPM (492 GPH)

Max Head: 14.1 ft

Max pressure: 9.95 PSI

I came across a deal on an Iwaki 55RLT (Japanese motor) that I couldn't pass up. My thought is that this pump could feed the pump as well as provide ample return but I'm open to discussion.

Using the head loss calculator on Reef Central, this pump would deliver approximately 922 GPH return (too much) without the skimmer. I would split the output to feed the skimmer and use valves to control the flow. As this is also a pressure rated pump it should give the skimmer what it needs and using the same 11ft head this would produce 840 GPH to the skimmer - again way too much.

55RLT specifications:

HP: 1/8

Flow: 18.4 GPM (1104 GPH)

Max Head: 26.9

Max pressure: 17.06 PSI





Thoughts?

Please share!

-Eric

 

Thanks Casey!

I'll give it a shot as this pump has all kinds of head pressure associated with it /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif

-Eric

 

Thanks for the replies!

Any particular valve type I should lean towards or stay away from when I put this together?

-Eric