FX5 flow rate vertical vs. horizontal

[oakes]

Had some questions with how a tank is setup that I purchased a while back and finally getting around to setting up.

Tank is a 300 gallon Acrylic 96" x 30" x 24", it came with 2 FX5's and I have a third I plan on setting up as well.
The current setup has both filters on the right hand side and they are pumping water up and across the whole length of the tank. Water comes in on the left hand side and leaves on the right hand side.

Would I lose any flow rate keeping this type of setup?

I've been told there isn't much loss when the plumbing is horizontal but 8' is a good distance.


Thanks!

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

I guess you meant the flow circulation within the tank, in that case then yes!
Your tank circulation at other side very weak, there is no benefit to set 2 intakes and 2 outlets at 1 side of the tank.

 

[oakes]

The intakes and outlets are on opposite sides of the tank, let me add a picture might help explain better.

In the picture you can see the FX5 (only one in the picture but will be two/three) will be on one side of the tank physically and pumping water all the way across the tank so the water flow comes back towards the filter.

I'm concerned that I am losing flow rate with the length of run the pump is having to pump to get water into the tank.
I have talked to some people at a local pet store and they say it should be fine, just looking for other opinions.

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

Absolutely you will loss the flow rate with that setup.

 

[oakes]

That's what I was leaning towards myself, will need to see about putting one FX5 on each side and maybe one on the back/center or two on one side and one on the other.

 

[Lepisosteus]

That's what I was leaning towards myself, will need to see about putting one FX5 on each side and maybe one on the back/center or two on one side and one on the other.

just put one on each side and put the inlet and outlet on the same side. there you go most flow and most circulation

 

[jwh]

I believe you'll lose some, but not a significant amount. The most significant loss is the height the pump needs to push up to.
It's fairly easy to test, use a calibrated bucket or drum, fill it with the current setup, time how long it takes and calculate the flow rate, do the same for your proposed method and compare.
Should you do this, please share the results.
The most important measure will be your water parameters, if they are good, irrespective of setup, your filtration is good.

 

[oakes]

Just got in a bunch of bio media to fill my remaining two FX5's, if I can I'm going to try and test to see if I am losing any flow rate between the two types of setups.