Slave pump?

[frosty]

Alright, bought two Iwaki pumps from Marine depot, rated for 1200gph. Well I decided I want the sump in my basement, using the flow chart for the pumps they should operate between 700-800gph each at 10-12ft head. So I need to add a third to get flow back up. Its a reef ready tank so it only has two returns and I dont want to add a third in any way. Would putting a pump in line (in series) with one of the other pumps but close to the tank where the head would be less move the flow of that return back to 1200gph? Or would I be better off having the third pump pull from the sump and then "Y" the output together (parallel) with the output of another pump? If so, where should I "Y" them, at the pumps or at the tank?

 

[slipknottin]

That wont work, the second pump would be starving for water, and centrifugal pumps cant 'suck' up water.

You can add the pumps directly one after the other. That should increase head pressure and gph at head.

 

[frosty]

You mean in series, so the first pumps input is connected to the sump, then its output is connected to the input of the second, and then the seconds output is connected to the tank?

 

[slipknottin]

yes, that is exactly what i mean.

The pumps should not be far apart, either.