Help me out guys. I'm using a 5000l/h power head and my overflow can't seem to cope with it. I've place a ball valve to limit the output rate but still cant get it right.
Which would give the best flow rate?
- Thread starter isa.alhadad
- Start date
since gravity is your limiting factor D would offer the most as it has slightmy more time to fall and thus accelerate towards the maximum gravity flowrate of the pipe size used.
Of course to accurately asses your situation we will need to know what size pipe you used in your overflow.
I just setup a 100g tank with a 55g wet/dry. I have two 3/4" overflows and a single 540gph pump (at 4' head which is about what it's at in the setup) return the maximum flow rate of each overflow based on chompers chart here http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=205645
is 337.5gph which means the maximum combined overflow rate is 675gph. From what I've seen I'd say that they're currently running in the 580's to 600gph range combined.
so my pump is a little less powerful than my overflows and this is exactly what i wanted, the 55g wet/dry has plenty room for overflow water, but the above tank can only hold 100g and if the pump outpaces the overflows I have a wet floor.
so for your pump depending on it's flow rate at your current head level for the piping, you'd need at least a 1.5" pipe size for your single overflow.
personally i would recommend dual though as it allows you to pull water from opposite ends of the tank, which for me catches a lot of detrius from my cichlinds when I stir it up (bare bottom, no gravel vacing , just w/c and netting out waste)
Of course to accurately asses your situation we will need to know what size pipe you used in your overflow.
I just setup a 100g tank with a 55g wet/dry. I have two 3/4" overflows and a single 540gph pump (at 4' head which is about what it's at in the setup) return the maximum flow rate of each overflow based on chompers chart here http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=205645
is 337.5gph which means the maximum combined overflow rate is 675gph. From what I've seen I'd say that they're currently running in the 580's to 600gph range combined.
so my pump is a little less powerful than my overflows and this is exactly what i wanted, the 55g wet/dry has plenty room for overflow water, but the above tank can only hold 100g and if the pump outpaces the overflows I have a wet floor.
so for your pump depending on it's flow rate at your current head level for the piping, you'd need at least a 1.5" pipe size for your single overflow.
personally i would recommend dual though as it allows you to pull water from opposite ends of the tank, which for me catches a lot of detrius from my cichlinds when I stir it up (bare bottom, no gravel vacing , just w/c and netting out waste)
5000lph = 1320gph
use figure A and use the right diameter pvc to flow more than 1320. I would shoot for 1500 for a little cushion for when the overflow gets gunked up in a year or so.
use figure A and use the right diameter pvc to flow more than 1320. I would shoot for 1500 for a little cushion for when the overflow gets gunked up in a year or so.
brianhellno;3449035; said:
Yep.
yogurt_21;3449226; said:
Hi, thank you. That was a pretty detailed explaination. I'm using a 3/4" pipe and that might just be the problem. And you're right. What I need is a 1.5" pipe instead.
Lets remember on option 'D' you also need to combat gravity to get to the higher point.
I would say, that a lower 'T' even lower than the tank may help, but if your system is closed all the way to the filter then that wont make a difference either.
The lower the exit point (open point) of the system (to a point) will accelerate the flow.
Higher is slower.
the upper 'U' is almost irrelevant, as it is closed.
You could put the filter on a lower floor to increase flow, but then the return pump will need to be stronger, not only for the increased volume, but the additional rise to the tank.
Remember, your overflow rate can NEVER exceed your return rate....
I would say, that a lower 'T' even lower than the tank may help, but if your system is closed all the way to the filter then that wont make a difference either.
The lower the exit point (open point) of the system (to a point) will accelerate the flow.
Higher is slower.
the upper 'U' is almost irrelevant, as it is closed.
You could put the filter on a lower floor to increase flow, but then the return pump will need to be stronger, not only for the increased volume, but the additional rise to the tank.
Remember, your overflow rate can NEVER exceed your return rate....
Jgray152;3451515; said:
Isn't that what I said? The height won't make a difference, just the end point.