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- Thread starter born2lovefish
- Start date
How big is the tank?
Those powerheads are not made for pumping up any height. I would go with a pond master pump or a via aqua pump.
Those powerheads are not made for pumping up any height. I would go with a pond master pump or a via aqua pump.
I wouldn't use a powerhead. Get a pond pump that can do 400 gph and make sure your bulkheads can handle that flow.
I have a magdrive, but I do not want to use it because it uses 65 watts instead of 20 watts. The powerhead would save a bunch of money on the electric bill. I know they are not made to pump up, but would it work?
Hagen aquaclear has no spec on lift or head pressure on this pump. It is designed as a powerhead to move water from the bottom of the tank to the top (not really lifting). They can be used with a filter so they can handle some restriction (pressure).
I understand you trying to save money on electricity, but sometimes you can save foolishly (I know most of the dumb ones from experience). If you have 400gph going into your sump, then you want to be extra sure you can pump out 400gph. It's a physical / math thing
.
Here are a couple of calculators to play with and see how much money your spending / saving.
To convert amps to watts etc.
http://www.jobsite-generators.com/power_calculators.html
And then use this one to see cost / savings
http://www.fishyou.com/aquarium-calculator.php
After paying with these, you may consider some other sources to cut back / down on. Water heater, lights, jacuzzi
drool can all be cut back without it being noticeable unless your running them low now.
The calculator figures your savings of $5.48/mo but that doesn't include running the wet vac for 2hrs to clean up a mess (another experience talking tale
).
Maybe you could ask for an allowance upgrade / cost of living increase
Keep us posted.
Dr Joe
.
I understand you trying to save money on electricity, but sometimes you can save foolishly (I know most of the dumb ones from experience). If you have 400gph going into your sump, then you want to be extra sure you can pump out 400gph. It's a physical / math thing
.Here are a couple of calculators to play with and see how much money your spending / saving.
To convert amps to watts etc.
http://www.jobsite-generators.com/power_calculators.html
And then use this one to see cost / savings
http://www.fishyou.com/aquarium-calculator.php
After paying with these, you may consider some other sources to cut back / down on. Water heater, lights, jacuzzi
drool can all be cut back without it being noticeable unless your running them low now.The calculator figures your savings of $5.48/mo but that doesn't include running the wet vac for 2hrs to clean up a mess (another experience talking tale
).Maybe you could ask for an allowance upgrade / cost of living increase
Keep us posted.
Dr Joe
.
Dr Joe;594329; said:Hagen aquaclear has no spec on lift or head pressure on this pump. It is designed as a powerhead to move water from the bottom of the tank to the top (not really lifting). They can be used with a filter so they can handle some restriction (pressure).
I understand you trying to save money on electricity, but sometimes you can save foolishly (I know most of the dumb ones from experience). If you have 400gph going into your sump, then you want to be extra sure you can pump out 400gph. It's a physical / math thing
Here are a couple of calculators to play with and see how much money your spending / saving.
To convert amps to watts etc.
http://www.jobsite-generators.com/power_calculators.html
And then use this one to see cost / savings
http://www.fishyou.com/aquarium-calculator.php
After paying with these, you may consider some other sources to cut back / down on. Water heater, lights, jacuzzi
The calculator figures your savings of $5.48/mo but that doesn't include running the wet vac for 2hrs to clean up a mess (another experience talking tale
Maybe you could ask for an allowance upgrade / cost of living increase
Keep us posted.
Dr Joe
.
It's really not me wanting to save on the electric bill. It's more like that my dad told me I could have 2 tanks when we moved here and now I am setting up the 5th.... I have two of the powerheads because they use to be on a undergravel filter about 8 years ago. I'd like to use one instead of letting it sit around and save on the electric at the same time so I can set up a new tank. I ran a test on the powerhead a while back for the head height and at the height of the tank it really does not cut the output that much down. It cut if down at a height above that though a lot. You stated I need to have the pump output of the sump the same as coming in, but my overflow is extremely large for the gallon per hour I am running. The tank is drilled I don't know if I said that yet, so there should be no worries about the tank over flowing or the sump because I will calculate that in. I guess I should have not asked because I knew people would say not to. I'm going to fill the tank tonight if I get finish plumbing it and let it run a day before I bring it into the house. It I see it is not going to work I might buy a quietone pump or plump my magdrive up to it. Thanks.
you might use just as much electricity with the powerhead. You are going to have alot less efficiencey with the power head. It is going to be struggling to move water at the rate you want which will make it work harder and use probably double the electricity. I use powerheads for my uv sterilizers and by the time the water gets back to the tank they are pushing about a third of what they are rated at.
born2lovefish;594626; said:
Ok, so Dad said 2 fish tanks...were 'fish housing facilities' discussed?
Never let us stop you from asking questions.
All we do is give advice.
Now that you have that, your taking the next step and trying it out for yourself (and smart to do it outside), only thing to loose this way is a little water. But do run it for more than a day.
Take pix and keep us posted.
Dr Joe
.
I don't need a turn over rate of 400 gallons an hour on a 40 gallon tank, but if I have that much I am not complaining. I just tested the powerhead on the tank and it is pushing enough water, however, I could use more so I probably would have to put the second powerhead. Then I be using about 15 less watts than if I would just use the mag drive I have. The mag drive use to be set up on a semi autowater change system on my 75 gallon at the old house. I might plumb it up and see how it works. Maybe if I tell my dad I will take down a couple of my small tanks he will let me use the bigger pump.