Most sump designs i have seen show the return coming in the top of the tank. My question is, if the heater is in the sump as well, and you are pumping warm water in the top of the tank, how does the entire tank stay warm? Wouldnt the top be warm and the bottom cold? How do you make sure to circulate all the water?
Water circulation when using a sump
- Thread starter yemista7
- Start date
The sump will hold the heater... point of any filter is to filter the entire tank x amount of times per hour.. having an output at one side near top per say and the drain or input to sump at opposite end near bottom of the tank would assure proper circulation of all water content in tank...the heater then heat entire water volume as it goes through the sump...
In my tank I have heaters in the tank as my sump is very small and hasnt enough room for the heater... with my 2 eheims they run maybe 2 minutes every hour give or take!?(I use a thermostat to .2 of a degree)
But for the tank to cool down even 1 degree as I turn heaters down during winter months takes hours to drop.
In my tank I have heaters in the tank as my sump is very small and hasnt enough room for the heater... with my 2 eheims they run maybe 2 minutes every hour give or take!?(I use a thermostat to .2 of a degree)
But for the tank to cool down even 1 degree as I turn heaters down during winter months takes hours to drop.
That makes sense if the drain is at the bottom, that will suck out the cold water and help distribute the warm water. But dont most overlfow drain from the top of the tank? The design I have seen have the drain pulling from about 2-3 inches below the top of the tank
Ya some overflows will drain from the top and also the bottom or middle... output can be pointed downwards also.. so many things you can do really
It's basic physics really. Warm water rises to the top, so what you are saying is correct. But if you have sufficient turnover and agitation in your tank, then the warm surface layer will get mixed in with the lower level cooler water. So, in effect, in an aquarium, the water is the same temp throughout.
Yes as
esoxlucius
said.... your tank may have an added circulation pump or air stones... all of these help move water throughout the tank... any tank needs some type of circulation of some degree
esoxlucius
said.... your tank may have an added circulation pump or air stones... all of these help move water throughout the tank... any tank needs some type of circulation of some degree
I prefer to put my sump returns at the bottom of the tank. I have never worried about temperature stratification but I like to keep things mixed up and moving at the bottom of the tank. I always put a siphon break hole above the water line. If it ever gets plugged I know right away.
When the arc of the water gets shorter I know my return water pressure is going down and I need to clean my DE filter.
2 returns at the bottom of the tank. Yep! the gravel needs a quick vac.
When the arc of the water gets shorter I know my return water pressure is going down and I need to clean my DE filter.
2 returns at the bottom of the tank. Yep! the gravel needs a quick vac.
