enough flow for dual wet/drys??

[Crispy]

I currently have what I believe is a one-inch drilled overflow (maybe slightly larger). It drains into my single wet/dry. Pump is rated around 700gph (w/4' head). I want to know if it would be worth my while to add dual wet/drys to the single overflow. I have plenty of room in the 55g sump, but not sure if they'll each get enough water flow?? I think I read that one-inch overflows can accommodate 800gph?

It would end up something like this...

 

[Crispy]

actually now that I measure it, it looks like 1.5"

 

[oswego]

Here is a sticky in the DIY section
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/Hawksby_Ameca_splendens.html

Maximum Gravitational Vertical Flow - This is what we look for when sizing drains or DIY overflows. The flow under the power of gravity reaches a maximum in the same way an object reaches Terminal Velocity as it falls through the air. The gravitational force is countered by the waters viscosity (resistance to flow) and the frictional resistance of the pipe. The viscosity creates a minimum vertical length to acheive the maximum flow. If the vertical pipe length is less than the minimum, the flow rate will be somewhat less than the pipes maximum potential.
size _GPM __GPH
1/2 = 2.50 = 150
3/4 = 5.63 = 337.5
1.0 = 10.0 = 600
1.25=15.6 = 937.5
1.5 = 22.5 = 1350
2.0 = 40.0 = 2400



So if your outflow is 1 1/2 inches INSIDE DIAMETER you can add more gph.


If its a one inch then you would still benifit by adding the additional filter and split the flow you already have.

 

[Crispy]

Thanks oswego! Exactly the answer I was looking for!

I have a 3ft drop from my bulkhead to my wet/dry.

 

[cozmo]

you could also put a ballvalve on each drain line to regulate how much drains through each one.

 

[Pharaoh]

I'm not sure if you would benefit too much from adding another tower. If everything is working and stable, might not prove to be useful.

 

[oswego]

If you look at his fish load and the size of his existing filter then I think he should add the additional filter capacity in his sump.

 

[Pharaoh]

If you look at his fish load and the size of his existing filter then I think he should add the additional filter capacity in his sump.

I'm not saying that he couldn't do it, but I would be hard pressed to think he would need to add another if his parameters are all OK. With that load, the tank apparently has some bio load already on it. If he is having trouble converting the ammonia and nitrites, then he might look at expanding the capacity of the filter. If the current bio filter is keeping up, then there is no point in upgrading.

This is based on his previous comments.

This is how I first set it up, I've since packed the 2nd drawer full with floss and 3rd with more ceramic bio-media. Works perfectly.

 

[Crispy]

I'm not saying that he couldn't do it, but I would be hard pressed to think he would need to add another if his parameters are all OK. With that load, the tank apparently has some bio load already on it. If he is having trouble converting the ammonia and nitrites, then he might look at expanding the capacity of the filter. If the current bio filter is keeping up, then there is no point in upgrading.

Everything's fine and dandy right now, but my fish are always growing... so I'm looking at a much higher bioload in a years time. I also run 2x AC110s ontop of the wet/dry both packed with sponges. Good to know I have the room and should be able to get the flow needed when I hafta build an added on wet/dry. Thanks!

Maintenance is 30% wc twice a week. (yes, twice).

 

[Pharaoh]

I would hold off for now. If you come to a point where the bio media can't keep up, tehn go for it.