mechanical bio filter pump inlet help

[Kevin Koloff]

I purchased an extreme bio filter for the school pond, I can size the pump, but what do I need on the suction side of the pump? This will be a non submersible. I am thinking perferated pipe. I do have the waterfall for areation, but I am novice.

 

[Troutredds]

Perforated pipe? I believe most folks here use flex pvc or schedule 40 pvc pipe for their plumbing. We use both in many sizes and find it to be quite durable. Good luck, @Kevin Koloff! Here's a view of both materials....

 

[Kevin Koloff]

I'm talking about the inlet in the pond, not the external piping.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Need to know the size of the pump and the recommended piping size.

 

[Kevin Koloff]

pump will be 60 gpm, 1 1/2" pipe.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Doesn't this external pump have a leaf basket attached? If not, one can be added that will serve the same purpose as an inlet screen. If you just want the inlet screen, then----
http://www.koienterprise.com/Suctio.../Suction-Screen-Pump-Intake-Screen-p-101.html

OR install both!!

 

[Kevin Koloff]

Thanks. This system I am putting together. I do have the filter, next is pump, then piping. I had thought of perferated pipe in the pond (suction line) as to pull water in a larger area than on the end as the basket with open ended pipe is.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Thanks. This system I am putting together. I do have the filter, next is pump, then piping. I had thought of perferated pipe in the pond (suction line) as to pull water in a larger area than on the end as the basket with open ended pipe is.

Can be done, but may be harder to keep clean and unclogged.

 

[Kevin Koloff]

Can be done, but may be harder to keep clean and unclogged.

Thats a good point I didn't think of! My plan was to hard pipe both suction/discharge with perferated suction pipe in the pond water, now I am thinking flex with the strainer (suction side).

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Think of it this way: If a perforated intake pipe was an overall workable idea, somebody would have them for sale.
If you are going to utilize perforated pipe at the discharge,be sure that you do not create too much back pressure on the pump. Although some is good, too much will drastically shorten the pump's life.

 

[Kevin Koloff]

No. On the discharge side I will increase it to 2". I will control the pressure to the filter vessel with a valve at the suction side of the pump.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

No. On the discharge side I will increase it to 2". I will control the pressure to the filter vessel with a valve at the suction side of the pump.

Placing a valve on the intake side of the pump is not advised. This can quickly cause overheatiing and premature pump failure. Control valves should always be on the outflow side of a pump.

 

[Kevin Koloff]

What the valve will do is act as a bypass. It will be pressure control, and bypass water back to the pond. Holding off on it now, as i need $, but also I have several new fish!

 

[Kevin Koloff]

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Previous advice still stands.