Return flow
- Thread starter srt8
- Start date
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Depends on if your have your return pipe drilled with a couple small holes at the waters surface. If you do, then you can position it as low as you want. If you don't, the pipe acts as a siphon when the pump turns off.
srt8
Member
Oh,I see,another reason to run your return pipes up the outside I'm assuming? My comes up through the bottom,and you are correct it does siphon back some into my sump,right now it is a 1 inch return pipe flowing at the water line somewhat with just an elbow for direction,I was thinking of adding one of those bendable pipe and tips to it.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
They are called rainbow loc-lines. I like them, and use them.
But, no, I'm talking about physically taking a 1/8th inch drill bit and drilling a couple of small holes in the return plumbing where the pipe meets the water line. This stops the back siphon when the pump is turned off.
Personally, I prefer having the return pump blow across the surface of the water. Having at least one pump blowing across the water makes sure that there is enough gas exchange for proper aerobic respiration.
But, no, I'm talking about physically taking a 1/8th inch drill bit and drilling a couple of small holes in the return plumbing where the pipe meets the water line. This stops the back siphon when the pump is turned off.
Personally, I prefer having the return pump blow across the surface of the water. Having at least one pump blowing across the water makes sure that there is enough gas exchange for proper aerobic respiration.
srt8
Member
Ok,Thank you again for the info,now that I think about it,maybe when I shut the main pump off the siphoning I am seeing is coming from the overflow,as it seems to siphon about to the elbow on my overflow pipe, the overflow is a sectioned off back left corner inside of the tank. Does that sound correct?
srt8
Member
I'm wondering if I would be better served to tee off the main return pipe with another pipe with the rainbow fitting and having two returns or just attaching the rainbow fitting to the main return? I have a good Iwaki pump 22.4 GPM and a ball valve to regulate it,and that is half closed to keep from pulling the sump faster than the return . Any ideas? Thanks again for all the help .
acrylic51
Active Member
Agree with Seth on the siphon break holes, but not really sure if there is a correct or incorrect option or answer to your question....Really comes down to what you prefer.....I actually have mine dropped down a bit in my tank, but I'm not using them for surface agitation.....When my tank is running I have more than enough flow back towards the overflow for surface movement......
acrylic51
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SRT8 http:///t/393908/return-flow#post_3505739
Also,how much turnover,as in flow does a reef tank need? I have the main pump and two koralia power heads in the tank. 75 gallon.
Turnover rate inside the DT isn't a magic figure per say......Depending what you keep will dictate a target flow rate....If your keeping primarily SPS some aim for 50-60X turnover rate.....Definitely don't need that for softies and LPS, but again your coral selection will tell you more or less what you need.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by SRT8 http:///t/393908/return-flow#post_3505736
Ok, I understand. What gives you the flow you need for surface movement? I'm assuming your main pump? And the one you point under the surface,is that flowing off your main pump also?
The nozzles I have under water which are a total of 8 nozzles are all from the return pump.....I don't purposely aim them at the surface.....I'm not saying I'm correct or wrong with my choice, but just flow testing the tank with the return pump and CL and additional PH's there isn't any need for me to aim anything at the surface.....
I had did some videos of the flow in my system a while back and I'm sure I did a surface shot of the tank showing there was more than enough surface flow with how I had things set up......There's a good article on flow inside the DT and such, and I've talked in the past about using flow from our return pumps to be efficient....Anyways in my video or links you can easily see there is a hard flow or push across the surface; with all intentions of detritus being suspended in the water column where it can be picked up and pushed forcefully to the overflow which is surface mounted more or less.....Even without the MP60's running in my tank since I sold them I still get good surface agitation and with no lights over the tank directly you can see the shimmer of the water on the ceiling above the tank......Again a decent indicator to me that water movement is on target so far.
Originally Posted by SRT8 http:///t/393908/return-flow#post_3505739
Also,how much turnover,as in flow does a reef tank need? I have the main pump and two koralia power heads in the tank. 75 gallon.
Turnover rate inside the DT isn't a magic figure per say......Depending what you keep will dictate a target flow rate....If your keeping primarily SPS some aim for 50-60X turnover rate.....Definitely don't need that for softies and LPS, but again your coral selection will tell you more or less what you need.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by SRT8 http:///t/393908/return-flow#post_3505736
Ok, I understand. What gives you the flow you need for surface movement? I'm assuming your main pump? And the one you point under the surface,is that flowing off your main pump also?
The nozzles I have under water which are a total of 8 nozzles are all from the return pump.....I don't purposely aim them at the surface.....I'm not saying I'm correct or wrong with my choice, but just flow testing the tank with the return pump and CL and additional PH's there isn't any need for me to aim anything at the surface.....
I had did some videos of the flow in my system a while back and I'm sure I did a surface shot of the tank showing there was more than enough surface flow with how I had things set up......There's a good article on flow inside the DT and such, and I've talked in the past about using flow from our return pumps to be efficient....Anyways in my video or links you can easily see there is a hard flow or push across the surface; with all intentions of detritus being suspended in the water column where it can be picked up and pushed forcefully to the overflow which is surface mounted more or less.....Even without the MP60's running in my tank since I sold them I still get good surface agitation and with no lights over the tank directly you can see the shimmer of the water on the ceiling above the tank......Again a decent indicator to me that water movement is on target so far.
srt8
Member
Ok,thanks. I am thinking of adding a flexible nozzle or two.Right now I just have a 1" or 1.5" pipe coming up with an elbow pushing water along with the two power heads in the DT all pushing towards the overflow somewhat.It does seem to be working ok as is but I like to see if I can improve. I think I could utilize the pump more than at present