Stupid question

trr8288 · #1 11/26/2007, 03:55 PM

When everyone talks about head loss and such waht is that? Probably a stupid question I know but I'm not sure waht that is.

MalHavoc · #2 11/26/2007, 04:03 PM

head loss is a fictional number representing the amount of vertical feet a pump has to pump against to push water through a given system. It takes into account vertical pipes, horizontal pipes, and frictional losses due to pipe diameter and things like bends and valves. For instance, you might have 5 feet of vertical pipe, three feet of vertical pipe, two 90 degree bends, a 45 degree bend, two pipe exits, and two gate valves, all on 1" diameter pipe. That all adds up to a number expressing the total head loss of the system. In that scenario, it might be something like 10 feet.

EdKruzel · #3 11/26/2007, 04:04 PM

If you wish to know something, than ask, it's not stupid to learn.

Head = the highest point a pump needs or can push water.
As an example a pump may have a maximum head pressure of 12', its pressure at ground level is much higher, and as the plumbing climbs it is less. Thus "head loss" is the loss of pressure as the water climbs.

reefergeorge · #4 11/26/2007, 04:55 PM

Here is a calculator.
http://reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php

steven_dean17 · #5 11/26/2007, 10:51 PM

HEAD LOSS is when you let your tank freeze and kill everthing in it. Hence loosing your head. Or its when you buy that 200$ piece of coral and your wife finds out, "Honey I lost my head, I'm sorry. I'll take it back." and then your wife says, "No thats ok, it is pretty!" Now, who lost whos head?

trr8288 · #6 11/27/2007, 12:16 AM

So what exactly is the importance of head loss when it comes to purchasing equipment.

sruiz · #7 11/27/2007, 12:48 AM

you want to make sure the pump you buy is strong enough to pump the water back in your display

trr8288 · #8 11/27/2007, 12:58 AM

When purchasing the pump does the pump say how strong it is or just how many gph it does.

MalHavoc · #9 11/27/2007, 05:41 AM

It usually just has a GPH rating, but that's the maximum it can push, ie, at zero feet of head loss. You'll probably have to do some digging to find out if it's suitable for your own application. Some pumps start off with a lower GPH rating, but because they are "pressure rated", they can outlast pumps that are initially higher, but have steeper head loss curves.