Abstract: An abrasive removal system for a wet abrasive cutting system includes a recovery tank for receiving a flow from a fluid abrasive cutting jet. A pump is fluidly connected to the recovery tank for removing an abrasive laden slurry from the recovery tank by suction. The pump creates a negative pressure which is directed, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, through a balanced suction manifold which is fluidly connected upstream from the centrifugal pump and positioned in the recovery tank providing a substantially even suction within a lower portion of the recovery tank. In the preferred embodiment of the abrasive removal system, the balanced suction manifold includes a plurality of balanced suction nozzles fluidly connected to and extending from the balanced suction manifold. A solids separator is fluidly connected downstream to the centrifugal pump and removes abrasive grit from the abrasive laden slurry.