flow rate

[cdubbs]

I have a Rio 2100 which is 692gph. And i have it as the return pump for my wet/dry for my 55gal. I was wondering if this is powerful enough. I have about 3 and a half feet of house connected to it and 2 elbows to let it hang onto the back of the tank and one of those black flexible plastic things to adjust where i want the water to flow back into the tank. Any idea of how many gph it is actually pumping into the tank? thanks

 

[golfish]

Its probably pumping enough. The amount of flow your overflow can handle is what matters. If you upgraded to another pump your overflow might not be bale to handle the flow, then you have a wet floor.
What gph is recommended for your wetdry?
FWIW, you know that RIO's are known to fail, burn up and distroy everything in the tank? Using them as return pumps is the worst way to use em.

 

[cdubbs]

well that sux, i hope mine works better. I made my wet dry myself out of rubber bins and stuff. My overflow was given to me by a friend who had an extra one, it has one 1inch bulkhead.i think it can handle 600gph.

 

[golfish]

I don't want to bust your bubble but I'd think about replacing the RIO ASAP. I used them way back when and always felt they were ok. Head pressure is what kills em, using them as return pumps puts a lot of head on em.
If the pump is new then take your time (2 months) but I'd still try and get it replaced asap. Check out a Sedra pump for replacement. You'll probably read about Mag pumps but I feel their just as bad.
Do a search on this BB....

 

[cdubbs]

the pump is brand new only been on for a day, i hope it lasts at least 2 or 3 months..i will have more money to invest in a better pump then...but back to the flow rate, any idead on how many gph it is pumping up there?

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by CDubbs
the pump is brand new only been on for a day, i hope it lasts at least 2 or 3 months..i will have more money to invest in a better pump then...but back to the flow rate, any idead on how many gph it is pumping up there?
I'd say about 500 gph

 

[cdubbs]

ok thanks, so that should be good enough for my 55gal FOWLR right? Because i had a penguin 330 and an aquaclear 300 on it and i took the aquaclear off and just kept the sponge from it and use it in the sump and i also left the penguin on for now until the wet/dry matures and is able to handle the bioload.

 

[jdogg2432]

The Rio 2100 should be fine on your system. May be a good idea to place a couple of Power heads in your display to make sure you have plenty of surface aggitation and to eliminate any dead spots.
I had a 55 when I first got into the hobby, and my setup was almost identical to yours. I used a Rio 2500 for a return at about the 3 1/2 feet of head (I had my Rio 2500 for almost 3 years. It depends who you talk to about the success of these pumps.). My return was placed on the left side of the tank pointed inwards toward the middle, overflow in the middle & a Rio 600 on the right side pointed inwards towards the middle. I found that this gave me plenty of flow.

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by jdogg2432
It depends who you talk to about the success of these pumps
I'm sure all the RIO's in use today have not failed but don't you think its kind of crazy to take the chance. I first heard about them failing about 4.5 years ago. I said the same thing you did then mine failed and polutted the whole tank. I was lucky I had another tank ready and waiting for the sawp. I had a 2500 with about 4 feet of head, it took about 3-4 years for it to burn up.
CDubbs,
I agree, adding a couple powerheads (Maxi jets) would be a good choice. The more flow you have going over your LR the better.

 

[cdubbs]

thanks.. i have an aquaclear 402 powerhead in there also right now. I have my pverflow on the right side of the tank cause the hose from it to the sump is too long for me to put it in the middle. Ill have to figure something out but for now its ok cause i still got my penguin on the left side.

 

[jdogg2432]

I was lucky I had another tank ready and waiting for the sawp. I had a 2500 with about 4 feet of head, it took about 3-4 years for it to burn up.
3-4 years of life on any pump is pretty darn good! You should replace your pumps every couple of years anyways!

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by jdogg2432
3-4 years of life on any pump is pretty darn good! You should replace your pumps every couple of years anyways!

that makes about as much sense as using a RIO knowing they have huge problems. Why would I replace 800.00- 1000.00 worth of perfictly good pumps every 3-4 years ?