Help with plumbing needed.

[acrylic51]

Playing catch up and agree to try using the 1 return pump split.

 

[flower]

Quote:Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/393122/help-with-plumbing-needed/20#post_3495460
Playing catch up and agree to try using the 1 return pump split.

Do I need the Ehiem 5000, or is the Ehiem 3000 that I have on there now, strong enough?

 

[acrylic51]

Really kind of hard to give an accurate guess, but do you have the pump running wide open now feeding the 90 gallon......How is the flow in the 90 currently.....

 

[2quills]

Was thinking that it couldn't hurt to try with the pump you have already. If you feel like it's just not enough than you can just simply upgrade the pump when you're able.
I'm not terribly familiar with flow rates for horse tanks. I just know that it's generally lower than a most reef tanks. But my best guess says that I don't see why you shouldn't be able to squeeze a 3-4x turnover rate for both tanks with that pump. That might be enough for ya.

 

[acrylic51]

That would be my guess, being not totally sure on flow rate required for the horses......I was more curious if the pump is currently throttled back currently, because splitting and added head could be the issue.

 

[2quills]

I don't think that she was running it full steam at first. But I had wondered about the same.

 

[acrylic51]

I would try it and split the return on the existing pump.....Curious and maybe I missed it, because I didn't have my morning coffee when I initially read the thread earlier this morning.....What is housed in the 30 gallon tank.......

 

[2quills]

She wants to raise sea horse fry. But needs to keep them separate from the display. I think they require very slow flow.

 

[acrylic51]

Ok....Figured I had missed something.....My next question is what type chiller.....I take it the 30 & 90 share the same sump....Nothing crazy or fancy being done draining from 1 tank to another....

 

[2quills]

I asked about the chiller earlier but not sure if she seen it. So that's still up in the air as to if the chiller can handle the extra load. I'd just recommended a simple 1" drain from the 30g to drop into the sump. She's talking about getting the tank drilled.

 

[acrylic51]

Ok....So I'm not totally lost....I thought I read something about either a 2 pumps trying to match flow rates, then drilling or something about a siphon overflow.....Theoretically drilling would be easier if you have the means or way of getting it done. Yeah that is the big question as to whether the chiller can handle the extra 30 gallons of cooling. I would assume the chiller was a little oversized when purchased.....If it's a tad undersized it just means its run time will be exaggerated, but could lead to other issues with chiller if it's to small.

 

[acrylic51]

This would be perfect for a small 30.....I can't remember what's the biggest these will handle though.....
http://www.***********.com/chillers_coolworks_iceprobe-ap.html

 

[2quills]

My bad, she was looking into doing a 30g in the beginning but I think she actually ended up getting a 15g tank.

 

[saxman]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/393122/help-with-plumbing-needed/20#post_3495557
This would be perfect for a small 30.....I can't remember what's the biggest these will handle though.....
http://www.***********.com/chillers_coolworks_iceprobe-ap.html

It kinda depends on how much you're trying to pull the tank down below ambient room temp, but I'd say 30 gals is about the limit for a small TE-type chiller like the Ice Probe. We use one on a custom 25 gal acrylic AIO setup.

 

[acrylic51]

True but then Corey said it was a 15 gallon tank, so should be enough pull down.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/393122/help-with-plumbing-needed/20#post_3495959
True but then Corey said it was a 15 gallon tank, so should be enough pull down.
Yes it's a 15g and I only wanted to "help" the main chiller, so it didn't overwork itself with the extra load. However with the lid made the way it is, I don't think I can fit one unless I drill a hole in the tank for that too. I might be just better off with no top or lights.

 

[acrylic51]

What is the main chiller rated for Flower.....

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/393122/help-with-plumbing-needed/20#post_3495976
What is the main chiller rated for Flower.....
1/10 HP according to the books it came with, is designed to cool 130g...
I have a 90g tank, a half full 22g sump (11g) and 18g refugium.
So I have 119g running on this chiller already, and if I add 15g...that makes it 131g. I also have rock, sand and decor, so it isn't a full 131g. because that takes up some space, making the volume a little less. So it can probably handle the tank and everything with the extra load of the fry tank, but it is pushing it to the limit. That's why I thought a small iceprobe chiller would help to keep the main chiller from having to work so hard.
Oh, and here is the 15g with it's stand. I have it in the garage for right now. It came with a heater, fish food and stuff that I won't need, I think it's for a freshwater tank set-up

 

[acrylic51]

Honestly I don't see any issue with the chiller handling the system.....You said it yourself your not running crazy lighting on the system, so you don't have that added draw on the system itself.....What temp are you keeping the horses at.....

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/393122/help-with-plumbing-needed/20#post_3496002
Honestly I don't see any issue with the chiller handling the system.....You said it yourself your not running crazy lighting on the system, so you don't have that added draw on the system itself.....What temp are you keeping the horses at.....
66 to 67 degrees. These are potbelly seahorses, and cold temps are essential for life, so I really need to make sure it is maintained.