I'm looking to move from a 1-oscar, 120 gallon tank with static K2 medium to a 2-oscar, 120 gallon tank with a sump using fluidized K2 medium. The stickied post for flow recommends 3-10 turnovers/hour; any recommended flow rate for a system like this? I've kept oscars for many years, but never really gave flow much thought.
Looking for advice- GPM with 120 gal oscar tank
- Thread starter Osprey101
- Start date
I don't have a specific overflow in mind; it's probably going to be a 1-1/2" PVC pipe construction, gravity-fed siphon sort of thing.
As for the K2, I think I can use the force of the water to keep the media in motion. If not, I can throw in aeration to improve it.
As for the K2, I think I can use the force of the water to keep the media in motion. If not, I can throw in aeration to improve it.
I guess I should have mentioned that, huh? Never had a drilled tank, so it completely goes past me- I've never had the luxury. So, yes- it would be an over-the-edge pipe thing. I've looked at weirs, like the Eshopps stuff, but they're pricey and I'm concerned I'll get a model that doesn't do what I want it to.
I suppose I could drill this one, but first I'd need to figure out if the bottom is tempered or not, and I'm looking more for something along the lines where I can drain the tank, pull it away from the wall, slap in a bunch of PVC, throw in a 20-gallon sump, and have it work. I'm not sure if I have it in me to empty the tank, take out the gravel and plants, do the polarizer test, scrounge up a diamond saw, and plumb it all together.
I suppose I could drill this one, but first I'd need to figure out if the bottom is tempered or not, and I'm looking more for something along the lines where I can drain the tank, pull it away from the wall, slap in a bunch of PVC, throw in a 20-gallon sump, and have it work. I'm not sure if I have it in me to empty the tank, take out the gravel and plants, do the polarizer test, scrounge up a diamond saw, and plumb it all together.
Well your overflows ability to handle "x" amount of gph will be the ultimate deciding factor of your pumps output. I don't trust over the edge overflows. Not saying they don't work but when/if they fail you've got a mess. Depending on your pumps output you could "t" off of it and supply more flow to your k2 area.
I was looking at two independent over-the-edge siphons feeding into a T that in turn feeds into the sump. Looks like 1" PVC can handle 600 GPH in a gravity-drain configuration, so if I stick to no more than 400 GPH, even if one siphon/tube plugs up, I should be OK. Looks like I'll have 52" from the bottom of the sump to the water level, so if the sump is filled to about 8-10", that means I'll need to move about 3-1/2' straight up... so a pump that delivers ~400 GPH with a 3-1/2' head should be adequate. I figure I don't need HUGE amounts of flow (3x/hour) because of how good fluidized bed sumps seem to be. I'm making do with a much smaller static sump using K2 and a pump that delivers ~120 GPH right now with just one mature oscar, but there's also two HOB filters and a makeshift skimmer using polyfill.
The Model 5 Supreme Aqua-Mag pump delivers 350 GPH at 4' and 400 GPH at 3'. The model 2200 Quiet One would deliver about 400 GPH at that height and use substantially less electricity, if their data sheets are correct.
Would two 1" overflow siphons be adequate, or do you think I should go with 1-1/2" just for good measure?
The Model 5 Supreme Aqua-Mag pump delivers 350 GPH at 4' and 400 GPH at 3'. The model 2200 Quiet One would deliver about 400 GPH at that height and use substantially less electricity, if their data sheets are correct.
Would two 1" overflow siphons be adequate, or do you think I should go with 1-1/2" just for good measure?
I'd go with 1-1/2" just to be safe.
Sounds like you have a good grasp on this already. I think you'll be fine.
Have you looked at jebao pumps? They are affordable and adjustable so if you need a little more or less just turn it up or down. I have one running my inside pond for over a year now no issues. I've got the 8000 model and run it at about 75% which is about 1800 gph with 2 1-1/2 drains. A model 3000 is good for 800gph. It's a little hard to find the flow chart on the smaller models so I'm unsure at what head it starts to drop but I'd guess it would be more then adaquate. It only uses 25w at full output too.
Sounds like you have a good grasp on this already. I think you'll be fine.
Have you looked at jebao pumps? They are affordable and adjustable so if you need a little more or less just turn it up or down. I have one running my inside pond for over a year now no issues. I've got the 8000 model and run it at about 75% which is about 1800 gph with 2 1-1/2 drains. A model 3000 is good for 800gph. It's a little hard to find the flow chart on the smaller models so I'm unsure at what head it starts to drop but I'd guess it would be more then adaquate. It only uses 25w at full output too.
Why do you feel it is neseccary to drill the bottom?
If you drill the bottom, you would need to use stand pipes.
I prefer to drill the back, or sides.
That eliminates the use of unsightly stand pipes, and extra plumbing in the tank.
When you drill nearer the top it more easily takes advantage of the of the surface skimming it provides.
For my 180 gal cichlid tank I use a pump of about 1500 GPH (about 25 GPM)
It has two holes drilled in the back panel, the bulkheads are mostly hidden, all obnoxious plumbing is behind, on the outside the tank.
Most tanks will have a sticker on the bottom, saying whether its tempered or not.
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