Fluval SP6 Dimensions?

[LJLKRL05]

I have a 5 inch by 18 inch space for my return pump and I am looking at a new Fluval SP6.
Can anyone tell me the side to side dimension of one?
Their website says this: Dimensions (L x W x H): 4.5 x 7.5 x 9 inches, but I don't know if they are calling the width end to end or side to side.

Thanks

 

[Flippers4pups]

Bump.

 

[ReefSlice]

Can't help with the sp6 but just measured my sp4 and it was 4.5 (largest width at base of pump side to side)x7.5(height)x7.5 (front to back). I'd imagine its 4.5" wide across the face.

 

[rockskimmerflow]

The volute is the widest point on an SP6 and it's just a hair under 5 inches by my measure. So it should fit in your return chamber, but will not have much clearance side to side. How big is the tank? SP4 is nearly as big width wise so it would also be a close fit as well but may be better suited to your tank if you're in the 180 gal or less range. Bigger than that and the SP6 makes sense assuming you plan to use 1.5" plumbing on it. I've found the SP4 and SP6 are really close in actual delivered flow if you plumb with 1" line and you put 5 or 6 feet of head on them. SP6 really needs 1.25 or 1.5" plumbing to gain a big flow advantage.

 

[LJLKRL05]

The volute is the widest point on an SP6 and it's just a hair under 5 inches by my measure. So it should fit in your return chamber, but will not have much clearance side to side. How big is the tank? SP4 is nearly as big width wise so it would also be a close fit as well but may be better suited to your tank if you're in the 180 gal or less range. Bigger than that and the SP6 makes sense assuming you plan to use 1.5" plumbing on it. I've found the SP4 and SP6 are really close in actual delivered flow if you plumb with 1" line and you put 5 or 6 feet of head on them. SP6 really needs 1.25 or 1.5" plumbing to gain a big flow advantage.

Thanks for the measurements. Tank is 210 gallons. Using a sicce silent 4 now and it is not quite enough.

 

[LJLKRL05]

Can't help with the sp6 but just measured my sp4 and it was 4.5 (largest width at base of pump side to side)x7.5(height)x7.5 (front to back). I'd imagine its 4.5" wide across the face.

Thanks! Sp4 and sp6 are the same 4.5 inches according to fluval. Should dit in my chamber.

 

[rockskimmerflow]

Thanks for the measurements. Tank is 210 gallons. Using a sicce silent 4 now and it is not quite enough.

The SP4 would be a large step up from a sicce syncra silent 4. Like a serious step up IMO. I'm not sure you'd be wanting for the power of an SP6 once you see how much juice an sp4 has compared to the fluval

 

[LJLKRL05]

The SP4 would be a large step up from a sicce syncra silent 4. Like a serious step up IMO. I'm not sure you'd be wanting for the power of an SP6 once you see how much juice an sp4 has compared to the fluval

Yes it will be a big jump up. I already ordered the sp6 from amazon. I guess if it is too much i will send it back and get the sp4.
Supposed to be here tomorrow so I will know soon enough

 

[rockskimmerflow]

Yes it will be a big jump up. I already ordered the sp6 from amazon. I guess if it is too much i will send it back and get the sp4.
Supposed to be here tomorrow so I will know soon enough

Cool! You can always throttle the SP6 back with a ball valve if needed so I don't see you having much trouble assuming it fits in the chamber. I'd just save the hassle of returning and keep the SP6. Will pull a few more watts overall than the SP4 but likely negligible in terms of power costs overall.

 

[LJLKRL05]

Well, I got the SP6 installed and it fits my sump just fine. Moves a lot of water too. My return is only 3/4" and splits into two locline nozzles, so I am really reducing the flow this thing can put out, but it is still way more than the old pump.
One thing I noticed while researching them, is people say to put a PVC 90 pointed down on the intake so it does not suck air.
I tried this, and when I shut the pump off it would not prime. Air was getting trapped in the 90 and it just would not prime like that.
I took the 90 off and it works fine when I shut it off and back on.
I have an auto topoff, so I can keep the water level high enough and stable that it does not suck air.
So far I am pleased with this pump.

 

[rockskimmerflow]

Well, I got the SP6 installed and it fits my sump just fine. Moves a lot of water too. My return is only 3/4" and splits into two locline nozzles, so I am really reducing the flow this thing can put out, but it is still way more than the old pump.
One thing I noticed while researching them, is people say to put a PVC 90 pointed down on the intake so it does not suck air.
I tried this, and when I shut the pump off it would not prime. Air was getting trapped in the 90 and it just would not prime like that.
I took the 90 off and it works fine when I shut it off and back on.
I have an auto topoff, so I can keep the water level high enough and stable that it does not suck air.
So far I am pleased with this pump.

Glad its working well for you! The end of the 90 you put on the intake needs to have something extending it below the water line when the power is off. It should not lose prime in the event of power failure unless the level in the return chamber is way too low for the pump. The intake elbow must be flooded initially but once that's done it shouldn't lose prime and fail to restart unless there is something very wrong with your return setup/water level in a power outage event. The water level in the sump should go up in a power outage from backflow and keep the elbow flooded so if that's not happening something needs to be reworked. Your return scenario of 2 x 3/4" lines terminating in locline nozzles is what I was afraid of, the SP4 would probably give you almost exactly the same total turnover with that kind of restriction at a bit lower power. Not really worth changing it out though as the power savings would likely be under 15watts total. I think you'll be impressed with how reliable these fluvals are. I have a couple SP6's out in the field that are coming up on 6 years now.

 

[LJLKRL05]

Glad its working well for you! The end of the 90 you put on the intake needs to have something extending it below the water line when the power is off. It should not lose prime in the event of power failure unless the level in the return chamber is way too low for the pump. The intake elbow must be flooded initially but once that's done it shouldn't lose prime and fail to restart unless there is something very wrong with your return setup/water level in a power outage event. The water level in the sump should go up in a power outage from backflow and keep the elbow flooded so if that's not happening something needs to be reworked. Your return scenario of 2 x 3/4" lines terminating in locline nozzles is what I was afraid of, the SP4 would probably give you almost exactly the same total turnover with that kind of restriction at a bit lower power. Not really worth changing it out though as the power savings would likely be under 15watts total. I think you'll be impressed with how reliable these fluvals are. I have a couple SP6's out in the field that are coming up on 6 years now.

The 90 was well below the water line but when the pump is shut off it ends up sucking air down the return line from the top. Once that air gets in the 90 the pump does not prime. It works fine without it though.

 

[rockskimmerflow]

The 90 was well below the water line but when the pump is shut off it ends up sucking air down the return line from the top. Once that air gets in the 90 the pump does not prime. It works fine without it though.

Yeah I get that is happening and that's your issue with the return setup currently. You need to have a minimum of the elbow tip underwater when the pump is running, but when the power goes off your backflow must lift the water in the return chamber at least ABOVE the elbow so there is always water flooding the impeller. Once you've made this change in water level for power off scenarios you should have no more trouble with restarts

Post a pic of the setup if possible? Maybe we can see better what's happening with your intake elbow air pocket issues. My only other thought is that your return lines have an insufficient siphon break that introduces way too much air into the back siphoned water before it fully breaks.