does the length of the intake/return tubes effect flow

[zspidel]

title says it. my buddy, which i hope he doesnt think i dont believe him lol, told me so. just want some input. i gotta xp4 in a 120 60"x18"x however tall it is. whats your thoughts?

 

[zspidel]

whoa, dont all answer at once!!!

 

[Burko]

OK.

Yes, minimally.

 

[nub]

Basically with canister filters the length of tube does not effect flow rate. The main thing that changes with extra length is friction loss which does decrease flow but with the filters we use and distances pumped this is minimal. With that being said this is given equal lenth or close to equal on both sides. The weight of the water in the suction line egualizes the weight of water in the discharge line. If you had clear lines on your canister and cut off power watch what the water in each line does. They will equalize at or just above the water line of the tank regargless of how long they are. When power is turned back on all the filter has to do is get the water moving (velocity head) and get up and over the rim of the tank. Canister filters usually have a rated maximum height they can pump which is most likely due to velocity head.

 

[ccebr]

Yes.
The shorter the pipe, the less the flow is reduced.

 

[zspidel]

ok thanks for the input guys. very helpful. so basically, as nub said, it doesnt necessarily effect it, but wont hurt, but ccebr agrees that it does. looks like ill be trimming my hoses on the new filter

 

[FSM]

Assuming the flow reduction is caused by friction, trimming a foot off will do very little. I doubt you would measure a difference.

 

[nub]

You should always trim your tubes to the minimum required. What ccebr said is the same as I said, this has to do with friction loss. So what was your opinion since you said this was a debate between you and your buddy?

 

[Toby_H]

I agree with above, while longer hoses do inrease loss due to friction, although the minimal differences we are dealing with are neglegable...

But keeping short hoses means keeping straight hoses... bends, turns, etc will account for a measuable loss.

 

[zspidel]

to nub: there was no debate. i was just seeing if it made a huge difference. he didnt elaborate much on it. it was sort of a quick conversation between us and figured id ask since im new to all the canister filters.
to nc_nutcase: agree w the bends in the houses. i was doing a water change and noticed i barely had any flow out of the return tube. i freaked out and thought something bad happened. then i realized the house was bent. needless to say, i trimmed the hoses