Pump Sizing for Basement Sump

[Jack20120]

I'm looking for a peer check here on my pump size. I'm trying to set up a basement sump. Ran the 1-inch PVC to the basement today. With elbows, horiz, and elevation, I calculate 30-ft of head loss. My display is 90-gal. I plan on pumping out of a 60-g of sump water in the basement (including pipes), so that's 150-gal total. If I target 6x turnover, I need 900 GPH (15 GPM). I should get that easily with the 100RT, right? The pump curve has me at 18 GPM. Is there a chance I get something that's too big here? If so, how would I dial it down? Thanks in advance.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I would consider a pump such as reeflo hammerhead or hold for good pressure and delivery and utilize a shutoff valve for flow control if excessive

 

[Jack20120]

I would consider a pump such as reeflo hammerhead or hold for good pressure and delivery and utilize a shutoff valve for flow control if excessive

OK but I think the Hammerhead might be too weak. It's max head is 24-ft. I would need the Yellowtail.

 

[Jack20120]

I'm looking for a peer check here on my pump size. I'm trying to set up a basement sump. Ran the 1-inch PVC to the basement today. With elbows, horiz, and elevation, I calculate 30-ft of head loss. My display is 90-gal. I plan on pumping out of a 60-g of sump water in the basement (including pipes), so that's 150-gal total. If I target 6x turnover, I need 900 GPH (15 GPM). I should get that easily with the 100RT, right? The pump curve has me at 18 GPM. Is there a chance I get something that's too big here? If so, how would I dial it down? Thanks in advance.

I'm including 14 elbows in the calculation, some of these are horizontal. Maybe the 1-ft per 90-deg rule of thumb is oversimplifying and biting me. My raw elevation is only 14-ft.

 

[exnisstech]

OK but I think the Hammerhead might be too weak. It's max head is 24-ft. I would need the Yellowtail.

I have a hammerhead pushing water from my basement. I was using it as a return on a 150g and a 180g sharing a sump. I had to use gate valves to reduce flow. I'm pretty sure it would suffice for your needs.

 

[Jack20120]

I have a hammerhead pushing water from my basement. I was using it as a return on a 150g and a 180g sharing a sump. I had to use gate valves to reduce flow. I'm pretty sure it would suffice for your needs.

Yeah I think I'm too aggressive with my pressure loss. Another more refined calculator put my head loss closer to 21, which would support that pump or a iwaki 70RT.

 

[mike550]

@Jack20120 I did something similar and chose a Panworld 250PS. The flow curves will lead you to believe that you have more flow than you need but for some reason my flow was lower than expected. That said, I assumed a 1.5X on my calculated head loss, so I didn’t have any problems. Nothing worse than buying a pump that’s took weak.

You can reduce your flow by putting in a nice gate valve without any issues.

 

[DCR]

Not sure how you calculated it, but frictional head losses at 900 gph through 1 in piping are going to be very high - uneconomically so - such that you should really be using 1-1/4" piping. I think you might come up short even with the 100RT unless the length is very short, but I don't think you need anywhere close to 900 gph for a 90- gallon tank. I probably look to the 70 or even the 55 to save some power.

 

[Jack20120]

Not sure how you calculated it, but frictional head losses at 900 gph through 1 in piping are going to be very high - uneconomically so - such that you should really be using 1-1/4" piping. I think you might come up short even with the 100RT unless the length is very short, but I don't think you need anywhere close to 900 gph for a 90- gallon tank. I probably look to the 70 or even the 55 to save some power.

So I've got 14-ft of vertical head, 14 90-deg turns, and 30-ft of horizontal pipe. All of it is plumbed at 1-inch PVC because the drilled tank inlet and outlet are 1-inch PVC. I have at least 14-ft of head and at most 30-ft. I think the 1-ft per 90-deg is too aggressive and a more detailed friction loss calculator gives me more like 20-ft of head. I also agree that something like 500 GPH might be a better target.

 

[KStatefan]

I'm including 14 elbows in the calculation, some of these are horizontal. Maybe the 1-ft per 90-deg rule of thumb is oversimplifying and biting me. My raw elevation is only 14-ft.

The loss in a fitting is not a fixed number is is dependent on the velocity of the flow. The standard way is to use a fitting equivalent chart.

Then use those number to add to your pipe length to find the total fiction head then add that to the gravity head loss.

I like this calculator from Pentair

Pump Calculator | Pentair AES

Pentair is dedicated to excellence in all aspects of our business. Whether you need system design, technical service or unrivaled equipment-you can count on us.

pentairaes.com

I also think that you do not need that much turn over. What does 10x give you the 5x does not?

 

[Jack20120]

The loss in a fitting is not a fixed number is is dependent on the velocity of the flow. The standard way is to use a fitting equivalent chart.

Then use those number to add to your pipe length to find the total fiction head then add that to the gravity head loss.

I like this calculator from Pentair

Pump Calculator | Pentair AES

Pentair is dedicated to excellence in all aspects of our business. Whether you need system design, technical service or unrivaled equipment-you can count on us.

pentairaes.com

I also think that you do not need that much turn over. What does 10x give you the 5x does not?

Thanks. When I use this tool and similar I get more like 21-ft of head loss. I'm also OK with 5x turnover. I was conservative at first (max) but given the size and availability of pumps I need to be more realistic.

 

[mike550]

@Jack20120 if you want to check your estimates I have 17’ of vertical, 30’ horizontal, and 5 90degree elbows all in 1” PVC. My flow rate is about 1 GPM when I refill my tank. Im also attaching my pump curve

 

[Jack20120]

Just to follow up here. I went with the 55RT, mostly because it was available, and the flow is plenty strong. I need to dial it down on the valve.

 

[mike550]

Just to follow up here. I went with the 55RT, mostly because it was available, and the flow is plenty strong. I need to dial it down on the valve.

Better to have too much than not enough!