Pressure Rated?

[Rudy]

Forgive me for my lack of external pump knowledge. I am about to purchase the pumps (sump return, closed loop) for my 230 gal project.

However, before I decide which brand of pumps to purchase I would like some clarification on what it means if one brand of pumps (Blueline) are pressure rated and another brand (Sequence) is not pressure rated.

I was leaning heavily toward the Blueline series, but I was intrigued by the high flow rates and relatively low wattage of the Sequence series. As I investigated the Sequence pumps further I noticed all were described as "Pressure Rated: No"

From a practical perspective how would this effect my set-up?

What does the lack of a presssure rating mean from a safety standpoint, i.e. potential for flooding?

Thanks for the help.

 

[kcress]

It's a little hard since so many terms are batted about - often incorrectly.

Generally a "pressure pump" is a pump used with a higher head application, such as a pump pulling water out of a sump that was gravity fed and then pushing this 'low' water way 'up' to the tank. Say, a basement sump and a first, or second floor, display tank. Or even a sump just below the tank but the water is being returned thru a bunch of small restrictive nozzles like eductors or linelocks.

But in your case, "not pressure rated", likely means you had better not be putting it in a system where it would be fed by a water line. As this would require the large pump body to withstand a very large internal pressure. The pump body will burst. I have done this - most expensive and embarrassing.

You are free to use "not pressure rated" pumps in typical aqurium setups.

I will say you are right at the junction of a place people greatly screw up. Pump selection. People often get the wrong pumps. And then pay for it with years of aggravation. Choose carefully and use any calculators you can to pick correctly.

 

[Rudy]

Thanks Kcress -

Based on your description of the major difference and since my sump is located approximately 8-10' below the display tank, in the basement, I am definately sticking with a pressure pump.

However, based on my new understanding it would seem a pump which is not pressure rated would be acceptable for a closed loop system since Head is generally not an issue, correct? Nevertheless,I think I'll play it safe and stick with the Blueline series.

Thanks again for your help. Greatly Appreciated.:grinyes:

 

[excuzzzeme]

Make sure you select a pump that has a higher head/gph rating than what you need. Head/gph rating is based on unrestricted flow. If you have any bends or elbows in the line, it will reduce both the Head height and the GPH.

 

[Sploke]

Correct Rudy - for a large static head - i.e. pumping standing water from a low point to a high point (i.e. a sump to a display tank) you would want a pressure-rated pump. For example, two pumps might be rated for the same GPH at 0 head. A non-pressure rated pump might have a max head of 6' whereas a pressure-rated head might have a max head of closer to 15-20'. For a closed loop, a pressure-rated pump is not required since there is no static head, just friction loss from the plumbing.

 

[Rudy]

Correct Rudy - for a large static head - i.e. pumping standing water from a low point to a high point (i.e. a sump to a display tank) you would want a pressure-rated pump. For example, two pumps might be rated for the same GPH at 0 head. A non-pressure rated pump might have a max head of 6' whereas a pressure-rated head might have a max head of closer to 15-20'. For a closed loop, a pressure-rated pump is not required since there is no static head, just friction loss from the plumbing.

Sploke - thanks for the additional confirmation.