Reeflo Super Snapper/Dart External Pump Plumbing

brmreefer · Jul 4, 2021

Hello Fellow Reefers,

Just pruchased a Reeflo Super Snapper/Dart Pump (Gold Body). This will be my first dive into using an external pump on my system, but needed to get some input as far as plumbing goes.

From what I understand as long as the intake plumbing is not smaller than the output, everything should be fine. The intake is 2" and the output is 1.5" on this pump model. I am wanting to reduce the intake plumbing down to 1" and keep the output 1" or 3/4".

Is there any issues with doing this that I am not aware of? To me, it just seems like a drastic size reduction coming from a 2" intake.

In addition, I am wanting to put a tee fitting on the output with a ball valve to act as a flow bleed off to adjust flow going in the other direction. Does that make sense as well?

I've read that @zoa what has a Reeflo installed, I would like to get some input and experience with plumbing-in these pumps. Thanks in advance.

Any input from anyone is welcome on this as well and will be greatly appreciated.

terraincognita · Jul 4, 2021

brmreefer said:
Hello Fellow Reefers,

Just pruchased a Reeflo Super Snapper/Dart Pump (Gold Body). This will be my first dive into using an external pump on my system, but needed to get some input as far as plumbing goes.

From what I understand as long as the intake plumbing is not smaller than the output, everything should be fine. The intake is 2" and the output is 1.5" on this pump model. I am wanting to reduce the intake plumbing down to 1" and keep the output 1" or 3/4".

Is there any issues with doing this that I am not aware of? To me, it just seems like a drastic size reduction coming from a 2" intake.

In addition, I am wanting to put a tee fitting on the output with a ball valve to act as a flow bleed off to adjust flow going in the other direction. Does that make sense as well?

I've read that @zoa what has a Reeflo installed, I would like to get some input and experience with plumbing-in these pumps. Thanks in advance.

Any input from anyone is welcome on this as well and will be greatly appreciated.

I don't think size matters beyond this.

As long as you're not trying to defy the physics laws of the chart below with how many GPH you're trying to push you should be just fine.

Water Flow Chart #1 The chart below takes into consideration the potential damage from hydraulic hammer (shock) and noise considerations due to excessive fluid velocity. You can flow more than what is shown in the chart (see Chart #2 below) however, you may run into problems if you do.

			Assume Gravity to Low Pressure. About 6f/s flow velocity, also suction side of pump		Assume Average Pressure. (20-100PSI) About 12f/s flow velocityAssume Average Pressure. (20-100PSI) About 12f/s flow velocity		Assume "High Pressure" PEAK flow. About 18f/s flow velocityAssume "High Pressure" PEAK flow. About 18f/s flow velocity
Sch 40 Pipe Size	ID (range)	OD	GPM (with minimal pressure loss & noise)	GPH (with minimal pressure loss & noise)	GPM (with minimal pressure loss & noise)	GPH (with minimal pressure loss & noise)	GPM (with significant pressure loss & noise)	GPH (with significant pressure loss & noise)
1/2"	.50-.60"	.85"	7 gpm	420 gph	14 gpm	840 gph	21 gpm	1,260 gph
3/4"	.75-.85"	1.06"	11 gpm	660 gph	23 gpm	1,410 gph	36 gpm	2,160 gph
1"	1.00-1.03"	1.33"	16 gpm	960 gph	37 gpm	2,220 gph	58 gpm	3,510 gph
1.25"	1.25-1.36"	1.67"	25 gpm	1,500 gph	62 gpm	3,750 gph	100 gpm	5,940 gph
1.5"	1.50-1.60"	1.90"	35 gpm	2100 gph	81 gpm	4,830 gph	126 gpm	7,560 gph
2"	1.95-2.05"	2.38"	55 gpm	3300 gph	127 gpm	7,650 gph	200 gpm	12,000 gph
2.5"	2.35-2.45"	2.89"	80 gpm	4800 gph	190 gpm	11,400 gph	300 gpm	17,550 gph
3"	2.90-3.05"	3.50"	140 gpm	8400 gph	273 gpm	16,350 gph	425 gpm	25,650 gph
4"	3.85-3.95"	4.50"	240 gpm	14,400 gph	480 gpm	28,800 gph	700 gpm	42,000 gph
5"	4.95-5.05"	5.563"	380 gpm	22,800 gph	750 gpm	45,000 gph	1100 gpm	66,000 gph
6"	5.85-5.95"	6.61"	550 gpm	33,000 gph	1100 gpm	66,000 gph	1700 gpm	102,000 gph
8"	7.96"	8.625"	950 gpm	57,000 gph	1900 gpm	114,000 gph	2800 gpm	168,000 gph

brmreefer · Jul 5, 2021

First, thank you for the info.

Second, after realizing the chart provided specs for PVC sizing/flow data, I also noticed I failed to correctly write my original post, as it reads as though I am concerned with PVC ratings.

My actual concern/question should have be written as:

"Is there any potential damage to a new external pump if the inlet is reduced/restricted and the output is matched in plumbing size reduction/restriction?"

My current thought is this would more than likely be bad, but needed some confirmation on this. I was looking at reducing the inlet plumbing down to 1" even though the pump's inlet is 2".

Hopefully I wrote that better than my original post, but please let me know. I just don't want to burn out a brand new $400 Reeflo Pump.

brmreefer · Jul 5, 2021

I think I just stumbled on to some info about this.

The reduction/restriction at the inlet would probably cause "Cavitation."

Correct?

Did everyone that plumbed in external pumps keep the inlet plumbing the same size as the pumps intake port?

Snoopy 67 · Jul 5, 2021

I have always been told NOT to reduce the output size but use a valve to slow the flow.
A smaller inlet would affect the pump for sure I would not do that either.

brmreefer · Jul 5, 2021

Snoopy 67 said:
I have always been told NOT to reduce the output size but use a valve to slow the flow.
A smaller inlet would affect the pump for sure I would not do that either.

Appreciate the input. I'm planning installing a Tee fitting to bleed off via a ball valve to control flow. The inlet was the main concern.

vetteguy53081 · Jul 5, 2021

You dont want to reduce and create back-pressure. Here is how mine is set up:

brmreefer · Jul 5, 2021

Thank you @vetteguy53081 and thank you for providing the pics.

terraincognita · Jul 5, 2021

brmreefer said:
First, thank you for the info.

Second, after realizing the chart provided specs for PVC sizing/flow data, I also noticed I failed to correctly write my original post, as it reads as though I am concerned with PVC ratings.

My actual concern/question should have be written as:

"Is there any potential damage to a new external pump if the inlet is reduced/restricted and the output is matched in plumbing size reduction/restriction?"

My current thought is this would more than likely be bad, but needed some confirmation on this. I was looking at reducing the inlet plumbing down to 1" even though the pump's inlet is 2".

Hopefully I wrote that better than my original post, but please let me know. I just don't want to burn out a brand new $400 Reeflo Pump.

No I got what you're saying,

I guess I just meant if you reduced as long as you're still big enough for the GPH I don't see it being an issue.

i.e. if you had a Vectra L2, yeah at 100% running it would need the full inlet, but if you ran it at 40% all the time I think it'd be more about the GPH you're pulling and is it enough for the pump.

If you plan to run it at a 100% I wouldn't reduce the inlet either.

brmreefer · Jul 5, 2021

terraincognita said:
No I got what you're saying,

I guess I just meant if you reduced as long as you're still big enough for the GPH I don't see it being an issue.

i.e. if you had a Vectra L2, yeah at 100% running it would need the full inlet, but if you ran it at 40% all the time I think it'd be more about the GPH you're pulling and is it enough for the pump.

If you plan to run it at a 100% I wouldn't reduce the inlet either.

Gotcha, that makes sense. With the provided inputs, I've decided it would be a safer bet to not reduce or restrict the inlet.

Your help is greatly appreciated, I was just really leery about using something new and making sure I don't apply it incorrectly causing expensive mistakes due to inexperience with a powerful (at least for me) external pump.

Big thanks again guys!