Is my pump sufficient?

[Brody3665]

I have an 120 AGA tank with two built in overflows. I am currently using a Catalina Aquarium submersible pump in my wet/dry (Amiracle). The pump is rated at 800 gallons per hour (at 1 foot) but I am using it with a tee pvc split to both of the returns. ( about 4 foot high from wetdry for each)

I am not sure if I am getting enough output (not really sure how to tell either)
I was thinking about getting a stonger pump (mag drive 9.5 or more powerful) and wanted some opinions. It just doesn't seem to churning the water enough but I don't know the telltale signs of not moving enough water...

Thanks...

 

[patoloco]

i don't know your specific configuration, but I tested my sumbersible pump filling my sump completely (I know it's a 60 gl. container) ans started the pump. Took the time it took to empty it and did my caculations.

I remeber it took about 4 minutes to pump all 60 gl. to tha tank, so I knew my 1400 GPH rated pump was actually giving me arpund 900 GPH. My tubing system is really complicated with lots of elbows.

if your pump would heppen to behave like mine, you will sill have a flow reate of 540 GPH: this would mean 5 turnovers per hour, and this sould be enough, specially in a wet dry filter, which is one of the most efficient in gas exchange and biological processing.

Try to test it for real and give us the numbers.

 

[Hound]

I like that idea Patoloco. You have to remember that manufactures rate their pumps in ideal conditions with zero load on them. Add a few pipes along with a bit of gravity and the actual flow goes way down. I have seen some pumps with 2 ratings. One rating just stating gph and another stating gph under 'load' as they put it.