Can someone tell me if it's better to have the pump submersed in the reservoir or have an external pump? I thinking about the effect the heat from the pump would have on water temperature vs the noise the external pump would make. Anyone try this?
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Can someone tell me if it's better to have the pump submersed in the reservoir or have an external pump? I thinking about the effect the heat from the pump would have on water temperature vs the noise the external pump would make. Anyone try this?
I have a very small system and the pump is in the water inside. I guess it depends on how big of a system you are planning. I have seen many with big pumps, like well pumps doing huge sytems. Mines a 130 GPH and most cloners are 256 GPH. They don't add much to water temp. I also have AC the room is about 75 to 80 degrees and the rez 68 on the floor.
It shouldn't create any additional heat since it is surrounded by water and the water is being circulated after the pump cooling the temp down a little. If you do see to much of an increase in temperature just increase the size of the reservoir, this will assist in dispersing the heat. You can also put a baffle in the reservoir to create better water circulation and heat dispersment. Good luck!!! :thumbsup:
Fluid Power is my line of work. ;)
Thanks psycho. I would never have thought to make the reservoir larger to keep the temperature cooler. Good thought. I'm thinking about summer time grows when the temps start climbing. I'll probably have to battle the surrounding air temperature more than the pump. The pump is small 130 gph. There is no noise except the sound of the water falling back into the reservoir. How noisy are the external pumps? What is a baffle?
External pumps are going to give a little noise but I wouldn't think it would be REAL noisy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gen
As far as the baffle, it's a divider in your reservoir between the water inlet leading into the tank and the pump inlet. When your pumping a fluid, a lot of times if the conditions are right, you can create an effect where the water never really circulates because it goes from inlet to inlet....when you put in the baffle, it makes the water circulate properly. This is common practice built into all hydraulic reservoirs to dispurse heat. Good Luck!! :thumbsup:
I never had a problem with that 130 pump. Look at my thread redhair ladies. The small 5 to 8 gallon rez. I also run AC, that makes the world of difference. It's the heat from lights and ballast you have to fight.
If the water is constantly moving it will keep the nutrients mixed and maintain a constant temperature. Just use more water in the reservoir and that will help to keep the Ph in balance and the temperature down. Most people donā??t use enough water to let the nutrient buffers do their job.
Even an electromagnetic pump will heat the water to some degree. The idea is to find a balance between a few degrees of heat and the flow of water to cool it back down. If you use the same pump to feed the plants and mix the water itā??s a fair trade off.
You can always add an aquarium chiller if you are worried about the heat. Cool water can hold more oxygen then warm water will and only your budget can tell if the temperature is to warm or not. If you can afford a chiller then run it, if not then all you can do is deal with the few degrees in temperature.
Thank you psycho, loc and zandor.