Sparging Eductors - Who uses them and how?

[Dan F]

I was looking at plumbing fittings at Champion Lighting and Supply when I noticed that they head a category called "eductors". They look like some sort of high volume air injector, but how exactly are they normally used?

 

[Bawb2u]

I was looking at plumbing fittings at Champion Lighting and Supply when I noticed that they head a category called "eductors". They look like some sort of high volume air injector, but how exactly are they normally used?

It's sort of like putting your finger over the end of a hose, it doesn't increase the amount of water coming out but it delivers it at a higher pressure.

 

[Dan F]

It's sort of like putting your finger over the end of a hose, it doesn't increase the amount of water coming out but it delivers it at a higher pressure.

Sure, but how do you use them in your tank? What is the "current craze"?

 

[KaiserSousay]

"current craze"?

Why am I always the last to hear about a new craze
Tried a quick google, didn`t get much..from the look of the thing, the water stream from the pump goes thru the funnel thing, which should pull surronding water in as well..increase in volume???
Maybe some reef sites would have an answer, those guys seem to live on the cutting edge.

 

[cvermeulen]

It's sort of like putting your finger over the end of a hose, it doesn't increase the amount of water coming out but it delivers it at a higher pressure.

No...


An eductor is a sort of pump that uses low volume, high velocity flow (working fluid) to entrain a bunch of low velocity fluid (driven fluid) and move it along. This is the principle that the python faucet attachment uses to pull water from your tank.

The point of using one in your tank is to increase tank circulation without increasing flow through the filter. You can put an eductor on the end of your return from your filter, and say 500gph comes out from your filter, and another 500 gets pulled in through the eductor, directing 1000gph worth of current. Eductors are designed for a million and one applications, like using steam as a working fluid driving air, more steam, water, slurries, whatever. The eductors are designed differently for different working fluids , flow rates and pressures, so you need to use the right one to get the best results with water as a working and driven fluid, at low pressures and whatever your filter GPH is.

 

[cvermeulen]

Why am I always the last to hear about a new craze
Tried a quick google, didn`t get much..from the look of the thing, the water stream from the pump goes thru the funnel thing, which should pull surronding water in as well..increase in volume???
Maybe some reef sites would have an answer, those guys seem to live on the cutting edge.

You're right, there are a number of guys on reef forums using these. Search DIY Eductor Aquarium and you should find a good thread on how to make one and the results you can expect.

 

[KaiserSousay]

500 gets pulled in through the eductor, directing 1000gph worth of current

Got it..thanx..$25 to double your outflow, cool.