Would this setup work? Same water pump for fish tank and water discharge

[kisuke]

Only one ball valve will be open at any time.
When left ball valve is closed, water would flow out and be discharged.
When right ball valve closed, water would flow into the main tank.
Would this work without causing any damage/issues to the water pump?

When the right valve is closed, which is the case 99% of the time, would there be any form of backflow or damage to the pump since some flow has moves up to the ball valve on the right side and then moves back to the left

Would a T-fitting work better than a Y-fitting or is there a better way to use the water pump to do both jobs?
Views are appreciated

 

[His Coral Highness]

Looks like a good idea to me. I don't see the back pressure before the valves as being anything I'd be concerned about damaging the pump. And I think a Y vs T fitting would mostly just depend on the space requirements you are working with.

 

[kisuke]

I see. Anyone tried something similar? Any way to improve it?

 

[His Coral Highness]

I see. Anyone tried something similar? Any way to improve it?

I'd just say make sure you don't have any spots on the way to the sewer where stagnant water can sit and get gross

 

[mikey1958]

View attachment 2969373
Only one ball valve will be open at any time.
When left ball valve is closed, water would flow out and be discharged.
When right ball valve closed, water would flow into the main tank.
Would this work without causing any damage/issues to the water pump?

When the right valve is closed, which is the case 99% of the time, would there be any form of backflow or damage to the pump since some flow has moves up to the ball valve on the right side and then moves back to the left

Would a T-fitting work better than a Y-fitting or is there a better way to use the water pump to do both jobs?
Views are appreciated

 

[mikey1958]

I don't see any problem at all as long as one vale is open.. I would stay with they fitting in order to relive any restricions

 

[kisuke]

I don't see any problem at all as long as one vale is open.. I would stay with they fitting in order to relive any restricions

Wat do u mean by stay with the fitting in order to relive an restrictions?

 

[mikey1958]

Wat do u mean by stay with the fitting in order to relive an restrictions?

Flow will run smoother thru a y or 45 degree fitting than I will thru a 90..it's not a tremendous or even a small problem it just releaves some pressure on the pump..
I guess my amateur plumbing background came out.

 

[Jesse571]

View attachment 2969373
Only one ball valve will be open at any time.
When left ball valve is closed, water would flow out and be discharged.
When right ball valve closed, water would flow into the main tank.
Would this work without causing any damage/issues to the water pump?

When the right valve is closed, which is the case 99% of the time, would there be any form of backflow or damage to the pump since some flow has moves up to the ball valve on the right side and then moves back to the left

Would a T-fitting work better than a Y-fitting or is there a better way to use the water pump to do both jobs?
Views are appreciated

I think it's a great idea! I'm going to try it. Will just add a coupling to it to attach a long hose to my drain when I do water changes.

 

[TheBear78]

Just run a 'T' fitting but use the straight leg for the tank return and the offshoot for the discharge.
Virtually zero restriction for primary operation and minimal restriction for the secondary.

 

[DanyL]

Should work.
One thing to note is that it may be difficult for you to measure how much water going out of the system, unless you first stop the pump, let it drain, open/close valves and start it again to watch the water level drop.

 

[kisuke]

Flow will run smoother thru a y or 45 degree fitting than I will thru a 90..it's not a tremendous or even a small problem it just releaves some pressure on the pump..
I guess my amateur plumbing background came out.

I see. Good to know. Currently i am using one water pump to pump water out of tank and one for filtration. Seems a waste that my first pump is underutilized. Hmm the item i ordered will be using 90 degree fittings though.

Just run a 'T' fitting but use the straight leg for the tank return and the offshoot for the discharge.
Virtually zero restriction for primary operation and minimal restriction for the secondary.
View attachment 3002495

I see. Yep, discharged is rarely used.

Amazon.com : aquascape 88026

www.amazon.com

I ordered and gonna try use this with the curved part remove so it just goes straight up.

Should work.
One thing to note is that it may be difficult for you to measure how much water going out of the system, unless you first stop the pump, let it drain, open/close valves and start it again to watch the water level drop.

Yep, currently estimating amount of water removed as such. Stopping pump is easy since the jebao dc pump has a pause button.