Maybe a dumb Question :)

Jason · #1 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 06:33 PM

Was just wondering if a pump ( Pentair Aquatics 4000, 1017gph, 10'head ) that normally would be used for pushing water up into the air as a return from a sump or to power a waterfall, but riddle me this, Can the same pump be used in reverse? to pull water 10' up in the air? Planing on putting all my filtration in the hood as my stand wont support a sump.

PeaJay · #2 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 08:29 PM

It may be possible, though you would need a larger pump than you would normally use for your size because it would put quite a bit of stress on it so more power would be a necessary thing

beckdg · #3 (**permalink**) 12-17-2008, 09:21 AM

jason... it will most certainly work... pulling will put more strain on it AND reduce your flow... maybe not a problem for you?

the problem will be keeping it primed all the time!!!
if you can come up with a failsafe way to keep the feed line full (with no air at all EVER) then you'll be fine. if not... well you'll be buying another pump soon enough!

Jason · #4 (**permalink**) 12-17-2008, 05:51 PM

i dont think it will be a problem, i only have to pull up the water 2.5 maybe 3 feet tops before it falls into the filtration system, so seeing as the Pentair Aquatics model im useing has a 10' head i should be ok for stress and strain on the unit. anyone know what kind of pre filter would work best on this kind of pump? was jus going to DIY one with 4 layers of H.B.H pads Carbon,Ammonia,Phosphate and Polyfiber. May hook up my Diatom Filter if i can ever find it lol, i moved and cant seem to locate a bunch of stuff

beckdg · #5 (**permalink**) 12-17-2008, 06:10 PM

diy = great
bulkhead = great

not sure i'd want the specialty pads???

diatom probably not a bad idea.

a check valve on either side of the pump (one below water line and one after pump) i think would really help in case of a power outage!

edit: that should give you around 700 gph with 3' of head? i'm assuming this will be big and you know what that pump is capable of?

froggsong · #6 (**permalink**) 12-24-2008, 07:33 AM

Why can't you pump the water up into the the filtration area instead of using the pump to pull it into the area?

Jason · #7 (**permalink**) 12-24-2008, 02:20 PM

ahh good question my friend, and something i should've made clear in the original post. my bad. i dont want to have to go into the tank to adjust any gear and disturb the pets in there. the reason the pump will be in the hood of the tank is so that the only thing that will go down into the tank is the inlet tube to said pump behind a false back or through some Greatstuff. i dont have to worry about problems with getting at the pump if it was installed in the false bottom or any other place inside the tank, no temp loss or humidity.All my filter media will be in the hood as well, think of a reverse sump

on the top of the tank insted of under, just on a smaller scale.

froggsong · #8 (**permalink**) 12-29-2008, 01:55 PM

Thank you for explaining. That makes perfect sense. Very good idea! Definitely a good way to do a sump for a smaller tank for someone that can't drill for a sump for whatever reason, or just doesn't want to. I have thought of something similar in the past, but my reasoning for it was to make a rain system. Do you have any plans to do anything like that with this?

You might take a look at the power of the pump for a hang on back type filter for a fish tank, as they pull water up in the way you are describing. That should help you determine how powerful you need your pump to be. If you haven't already looked at fountain pump, make sure you do, they are generally less expensive, and most of them allow you to adjust the flow (invaluable in my opinion). I think the pump I was looking at from Home Depot has a 10' head with adjustable flow and was less than 50 bucks (that one may have been $60, actually... it could have been the 7' that was less than $50).

Jason · #9 (**permalink**) 12-29-2008, 06:59 PM

oh ya, i have a few drawings made up for a rain system lol, been planning this tank for quite a long time. sence my first attempt went bad and the system failed. lots and lots of drawings for Misting systems, Rain Systems and filters. I already picked up the pump over the X mas Holidays. 6' head is more then enough seeing the pump will only sit 3' high.

froggsong · #10 (**permalink**) 12-30-2008, 01:46 AM

Sounds good. Can't wait to see what you come up with. You should share some of your drawings.