My 650g plywood tank also Wetsuit
- Thread starter sashimimaster
- Start date
I think I've come up with a solution to my problems. If I add some height to my sump walls I'll be able to catch the overflow if I lose power to the pumps. If it goes even higher which it shouldn't because by my calculations the added volume will increase by 45 gallons which is exactly what the overflow would amount to (funny how that worked out) I'll have an overflow overflow drain that will connect to the house drain. I just wish I would have anticipated this so when I made my sumps I could have just not cut out those sections. I cut them out and now I have to add them back in.
Comments?
Comments?
When I built my 315G the strainers on my bulk head fittings really restricted my water flow. I tried drilling the strainers out some to increase the flow but ended up cutting the bulkhead fittings out and replacing them with overflow boxes. I have not had any problems since with water flow.
What type of strainers were they? What flow rate were they rated at?
I'm going to try running the tank with a higher water level. If it still flows slow I'll try the strainers.
I'm going to try running the tank with a higher water level. If it still flows slow I'll try the strainers.
I got my strainers at the link below, I used them on 1.5" bulkhead fittings that were rated at 4800GPH and they crushed my flow. I was using 2-26HF pumps that were rated at 1350GPH and had 4 bulkhead fitting with these screens that could not keep up. When you think about it, the strainer is blocking 50% of the opening. I ended up going with 2 overflows that are about 12" long each and I used a plastic gutter guard plastic thing I found at Lowe's to keep the fish out. Each overflow dumps into 2-1.5" pipes into a 3" that feeds dual sumps. I did drill out my screens before I removed them and that did help but the flow was not what I wanted.
http://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?product=BulkheadFittingScreens
http://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?product=BulkheadFittingScreens
That's the same place where I got mine. However mine is the one that flows 11,280 gph into 2" tubing. I guess I'll finish the addition to my sumps and run with a higher water level and see how it goes. If it still doesn't flow then I guess I'm going to have to take a swim and change the strainers. My water temp is only 60 deg right now that is not going to be fun.
personally, i think changing all the plumbing for 3" pipes would be a pain. why not just adding another intake line? your problem is your max flow going to the sump so just add another line or two. make them to the surface, it won't be that bad of a fix.
just my two cents
super build by the way! really hope to see the fishes in there soon! and love that bug driftwood!
just my two cents
super build by the way! really hope to see the fishes in there soon! and love that bug driftwood!
