My 650g plywood tank also Wetsuit

[coryjac0b]

Your problem is you have to much flow through your sump right?

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, what if you had one of the Reeflo pumps hooked up as a closed loop. You probably don't need all that flow through the sump.


Correct me if i'm wrong thanks.

 

[Valous]

Ok so I know you might have figured everything out. But I just got back to reading through the thread and see the 3 drains you have. All 3 are 2inch drain pipes. but you only have 2 pipes going to your sump. So you might have 3 strainers in you tank but there really are only 2 drain pipes. so with that said the best flow rate for that size pipe is 2400 for vertical gravitey. So the 2 pipes offer 4800 gal/hr. Now I dont recall the flow rate of your pumps but my guess is its greater then that.

ps. that flow rate doesnt count for and bends or T pieces in the plumbing.

 

[sashimimaster]

Your problem is you have to much flow through your sump right?

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, what if you had one of the Reeflo pumps hooked up as a closed loop. You probably don't need all that flow through the sump.


Correct me if i'm wrong thanks.

Actually my problem is flow out of the tank. The flow back into the tank from the sumps is much greater than what's coming out.

 

[sashimimaster]

Ok so I know you might have figured everything out. But I just got back to reading through the thread and see the 3 drains you have. All 3 are 2inch drain pipes. but you only have 2 pipes going to your sump. So you might have 3 strainers in you tank but there really are only 2 drain pipes. so with that said the best flow rate for that size pipe is 2400 for vertical gravitey. So the 2 pipes offer 4800 gal/hr. Now I dont recall the flow rate of your pumps but my guess is its greater then that.

ps. that flow rate doesnt count for and bends or T pieces in the plumbing.

If I got 4800gph that would be pretty decent. That would mean that I could throttle back each pump about 1/3 and have a balanced system. I don't think I've reached the maximum flow output yet because my outflow tubes are not completely full. I'm currently working on the sump addition. When that's done I'll start it up again with a higher water level and have the tubes flowing full.

 

[BadOleRoss]

Once you get everything hooked back up if you still dont have the flow you need go for a swim, remove the screens and drill as many 1/4" holes on the screens as you feel comfortable with. While you have the screens off, fire up the pumps and see how the flow looks or even works without them. At least doing that you will know if you do need to add more lines. I hate having to throttle back pumps. Toss a few heaters in there in the mean time.

 

[fish_n_vw]

I'm not even gonna try to give a suggestion to fix your flow issue, I confuse myself just thinking about what I would do.... but very very nice build, I will be following. Again great job.

 

[sashimimaster]

Once you get everything hooked back up if you still dont have the flow you need go for a swim, remove the screens and drill as many 1/4" holes on the screens as you feel comfortable with. While you have the screens off, fire up the pumps and see how the flow looks or even works without them. At least doing that you will know if you do need to add more lines. I hate having to throttle back pumps. Toss a few heaters in there in the mean time.

Will do.

I've read that pumps actually work better and more efficient if they operate with a little resistance. It would consume less energy as well. I already have two 1k watt heaters in the sump. I left it on one night without having the pumps on and in the morning the water was almost boiling . I hope I didn't cook any of the pond matrix.

 

[BadOleRoss]

One thing I do recall reading someplace and I have no idea how truthful it is is that the bulkhead fitting are rated as if they were mounted horizontally. If you mount it on a wall the flow is cut in half. Like I said, this might be total BS but it sure would explain the flow I got.

 

[sashimimaster]

One thing I do recall reading someplace and I have no idea how truthful it is is that the bulkhead fitting are rated as if they were mounted horizontally. If you mount it on a wall the flow is cut in half. Like I said, this might be total BS but it sure would explain the flow I got.

Hmmm, makes no sense to me at all. The flow through it doesn't matter how it's oriented. If it were true then they would have two flow ratings. One horizontal and another number for vertical mounting.

 

[BadOleRoss]

Yeah, I guess your right!