Improving Drain flow and Lowering Tank Water Level?

[DN328]

Hi Folks, I have sufficient drain flow and filtering currently, but I've been thinking how I could make tweaks to lower my tank water level 1) without cutting the overflow weirs or drilling more holes in the overflow 2) Or Turning down my return pump

Below is a snapshot of my overflow (from right to left): full siphon (with strainer), trickle stand-by and dry stand-by - all 1" Pipe.

Could I lower my tank water level by just increasing the stand-pipes to say 1.5" and keeping all else the same from bulkhead down to the sump? I know this wouldn't hurt, but wondering if this will improve drain flow and more importantly lower my tank water level?



I'm sure there's calculations that can be made (which I'm interested in too), but would also appreciate practical experiences. I'd like to research this a bit before I go and do and end up being a waste of time.

Thanks.

 

[DN328]

bump...anyone?

 

[rodger]

If your pump is shut off is the level where you want it?

Sent from my car phone

 

[DB junkie]

Aren't the overflow teeth the restriction therefore dictating tank water level? Not sure how you could change the level without changing the teeth. OR is the water level the same in the tank as the box? If level drops in box then it sounds to me like you either cut the teeth deeper, wider, or just leave it alone.......

 

[strollo22]

Agree with DB. I would cut the teeth completely and leave it flat. Less restrictive and best for surface skimming. Water level will sit 1" above a smooth weir.


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[DN328]

@Rodger, I'd say so - even if the water level was a half inch higher with the pump off, that would be an improvement. I run a DC pump, and at level 2/6, the water level is fine where I want it. But I run it at 4/6, and it's too high.

@DB, I believe that's true. But what I'm after is not a significant drop. If I could at least get the water lower so it's not touching my "Euro Bracing" I would be satisfied.

I've made some adjustments to the stand-pipe (unintentionally) where I saw the water level lower where if I was looking up through the side of the tank (like the angle of Rodger's cat picture, lol), the glass bracing would not show on the half closest to the overflow. Hence, it got me thinking about perhaps increasing my stand-pipe just to squeeze that extra so that my water would lower for the rest of the tank. Thinking to go with 1.5" Standpipes or at least 1..25". Hope this makes sense...

EDIT: Just wanted to add; I have read that for certain applications, having a larger standpipe than bulk head (and plumbing to the sump, etc.) creates greater pressure to increase flow. Also depends how low in the overflow box too, I suppose.

 

[DN328]

BTW, my overflow is built inside the tank, so DB, the water level is the same in tank and overflow.

 

[DB junkie]

IF tank and overflow are really the same then shortening the standpipes will drop the water level. Taking the strainer off should drop the level. IF teeth aren't the restriction.

The way you explain it the second standpipe should dictate water level, again, IF the teeth aren't the restriction.

 

[DN328]

Thanks DB. I don't think it's a viable option for me to lower the second stand-pipe, or any pipe for that matter.
If I shorten the the second pipe Im skeptical if that will dictate the water level and it also defeats the purpose with the Herbie approach. To your earlier point, I do think the weir is a limiting factor too. But as the overflow is in the tank I also think the water level is the same level as the water is just flowing directly from tank across to overflow.

But back to the question of does increasing standpipe size help to reduce the water level, by increasing the downward flow pressure. All things being the same with the return, help to lower the water by say a quarter inch.

 

[DB junkie]

First pipe is full siphon correct? So it's under water correct? What happens when you take the strainer off?

Isn't water constantly trickling down the second pipe draining what's too much for the full siphon drain?

IF this is the case I fail to understand why the 2nd pipe wouldn't dictate water level?

IF the teeth/weir are the restriction then water level should be higher in the tank then it is in the overflow.......

So changing the standpipe height isn't an option but changing diameter of the pipe using the same bulkhead fitting IS? Defeat the purpose of the herbie style overflow by messing with standpipe height?

I'm so confused I'm out.......... Good luck.