Help if possible.

[nfored]

I was tired of the 90's on the inside of my tank, but I had no choice since I don't have an overflow just holes drilled in the back wall. So I got the idea that I can have a water level tank, So I connected my drains to this water level tank, the water level tank is taller than the display tank.

My thought was that if the water level tank and the dispaly tank are about the same size that the display tank could only drain to the level that the water level tank was set to. So I drilled the bottom of the water level tank with 2" so that it cold drain as fast as possible.

This works as it should The display tank can' drain any lower then the water level in the leveling tank. Here is the problem I didn't count on. Since there is no siphon going from the display to the water leveling tank the flow is much slower then expected. The flow is then reduced even more as the water level tank water level rises, I am guessing due to pressure.

This causes the water level in the display tank to be higher then the water level in the leveling tank. no matter what level I set the leveling tank at, the display is always about 1 to 1.5" higher. That is the problem, If I set the leveling tank at the level I want the tank to drain to 2" from the top, the main tank almost over flows because its about 1.5 higher then the leveling tank.

I have it bandaid now by setting the leveling tank level lower then I want, and it works fine, but then the tank drains like 3". I am about to scrap the idea and go back to the 90's but thought I would get some fresh eyes on the problem.


New tank drain just a grate


Water leveling tank, the water level is about 1" higher then the drain level when running. If the display tank could feed faster so that its level and this tanks level where the same I would have perfection.


Side view of leveling tank.


Display tanks plumbing

 

[epond83]

If the two tanks do not have level water lines I would guess that maybe the flow between them is not enough, more or bigger pipe. You are working with horizontal flow through the pipe instead of vertical flow.

 

[nfored]

So maybe take the two 2" pipes and merger them into a 3" pipe instead of merging them into a single 2" Or run both 2" pipes into the leveling tank rather than having them merged into a single pipe.

 

[epond83]

A 3" pipe has 2.25 times the area of a 2" so you could route (2) 2" pipes into one and not restrick the flow.

 

[dawnmarie]

OK, I'll take a stab at this.
You may have just proven Chompers Pipe sizing sticky correct. It looks like you have a lengthy horizontal drain of 2" ? pipe. The photo appears to show it running slightly uphill (Could be an optical illusion). The tank you have added could be termed a "Surge tank" as it is really just a part of the drain. You don't mention your turnover rate , but , if it is in excess of 7 times per hour your drain is or could be insufficient.

All of the above is conjecture. I'll bet a few minutes with a laser level would give you the answer you are looking for.

OK, I'm out on my limb, somebody grab a chain saw.

edit: I too drink Folgers, but I prefer Columbian.

 

[nfored]

OK, I'll take a stab at this.
You may have just proven Chompers Pipe sizing sticky correct. It looks like you have a lengthy horizontal drain of 2" ? pipe. The photo appears to show it running slightly uphill (Could be an optical illusion). The tank you have added could be termed a "Surge tank" as it is really just a part of the drain. You don't mention your turnover rate , but , if it is in excess of 7 times per hour your drain is or could be insufficient.

All of the above is conjecture. I'll bet a few minutes with a laser level would give you the answer you are looking for.

OK, I'm out on my limb, somebody grab a chain saw.

edit: I too drink Folgers, but I prefer Columbian.

The drain pipe is not level, but its lower going to the surge tank then it is coming from the display, this was accidentally intentional. I noticed it, but left it like that figuring it will help prevent trapped stale water.

The pipe is rather long maybe close to 4', turn over rate is likely close to 700 to 800 GPH. Just guessing here never measured but the max rate at 0ft head is only 1000gp, I have it at 2 feet with four 45's and a spray bar so I doubt it much more then 700 or 800; heck could be less.

I think the drain is likely not large enough, I have two 2" pipes merged into a single 2" so I am losing my flow rate. I have an Idea I am pretty excited to test out A hybrid of a sump and over the tank filter. If I can make it work I can get a zero ft head and no connectors.