Drip System - Controlling the Output / Flow?

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T

tanglovers

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Dec 28, 2007
528
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61
Michigan
Hey Guys,

I am just wrapping up the last few details of our new 520 gallon build for a couple rays.

I will be utilizing a drip system for the tank. I am going to use 2 carbon filters plus a sediment filter on the tap water. Only have chlorine and no plans on or have ever used chloramine. I have a near by water line I will be connecting into.

How do you guys control the output from your filters to control say 2-3 gph? Using drip emitters? Need a control valve? Seems like a ball valve would be a pain to make small adjustments on and I could see a needle valve slowly getting plugged up.

Thanks!
 
I just use those 1/4 quick connects from Lowes,all plastic-no problems!

You can time your set drip to figure out gph. Easy!
 
Cool, much easier then I was even figuring :)

You just use the 1/4" ball valve and pinch that back as needed to get the right flow?
 
Just make sure your drip emitters is a pressure compensating emitter.
 
Ball valves here as well. Use them for dripping, flushing, and filling, all off 1/4 line.

The emitters seem like more trouble then they're worth. All you need to do is set it low and go up from there to achieve the nitrate levels you feel are acceptable, OR the rays act as happy as you like.

Trust me, the rays won't mind in the least if you drip too much.
 
tanglovers said:
Cool, much easier then I was even figuring :)

You just use the 1/4" ball valve and pinch that back as needed to get the right flow?
Click to expand...

Yep. I have the one on my 600 set at about 4-5gal per day,do this,and after a week I will check nitrates & tds,if holding acceptable levels....you know you're at the right drip rate.

I think it is important to get it set at that happy maintaining level,if you are trying to hit o nitrates,or tap level tds,you are flushing too much water through the system and this will not allow your BB colony to reach it's optimal level. The best thing you can strive for is even keel stability!!
 
COOL MBU said:
Yep. I have the one on my 600 set at about 4-5gph,do this,and after a week I will check nitrates & tds,if holding acceptable levels....you know you're at the right drip rate.

I think it is important to get it set at that happy maintaining level,if you are trying to hit o nitrates,or tap level tds,you are flushing too much water through the system and this will not allow your BB colony to reach it's optimal level. The best thing you can strive for is even keel stability!!
Click to expand...

*Corrected 4-5 gallons per hour
 
When you use a drip line, any guidelines on chlorine? i.e. if dripping 4 gallons per hour which is 672 gallons a week, that seems like a lot of chlorine. Granted, bio waste is very good at getting rid of chlorine.... are you doing anything else to deal with chlorine?
 
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