ragin_cajun thx fpr explain bud. I feel like allot of these threads (me included) dont give enough attention to what the e drain can handle...its almost an after thought
Absolutely! It's the E-Drain that limits the pump size, or has to match the pump output. Everybody focuses on what a siphon drain will do. From BA's chart, we can see that's easy--A LOT. WAY more than the E-Drain will drain if it's every called on to take over.
The real number we need to know is the drain rate of our E-Drain, in an emergency, with water getting sucked in, souding like a waterfall, with highly turbulent flow. THAT number is the important one, and that's the lower one, and I think that's what's reflected in the chart you posted.
For my tank, I have 2 2 inch E-Drains. I think each one drains at LEAST 2200 GPH (probably more) and they're very loud. Lots of turbulence. so, I have 2 Laguna 2400's that output 2000 GPH each with 5 foot head factored in.