Rio 600 flow rate

[chris l]

Anybody know of a way to slow down the flow rate of a rio 600. I am using it so I don't loose the syphon on my overflow but it is blowing the sand around in my tank. Thanks for any help.

 

[wamp]

Can you put a ball valve on it or is it a stand alone PH?

 

[chris l]

Its a stand alone PH.

 

[broomer5]

Not sure if this would work, but you could try and place the Rio in your sump or wet/dry and run the airline from the overflow down to the Rio - should suck air that way. Never tried it though.

 

[maury]

Yep, I'd move it to the sump. That's how I have it set on mine, works perfectly.

 

[chris l]

I've tried the sump idea. I only have a 16 gallon refugium and it is by far too much current. Causes one big sand storm.

 

[surfnturf]

I have a ton of Rios, and all of them came with a flow control that you can optionally put on the output, Did yours come with the standard accessories? They usually come with a valve, U/G adapter, venturi, and a hose with a really good silencer for the venturi.

 

[chris l]

I bought it new. It came with the hose and the silencer to stop the air flow. That was all it had.

 

[surfnturf]

That's too bad, that other stuff is kinda usefull. Broomer had a good idea though, at the intake of the rio, it is divided into 3 openings, at the center of which is the shaft for the impeller. If you insert an airline very carefully into one of the three openings and mount the rio within a few inches of the water surface (you may have to try different depths) it will pull air in addition to water, it cuts the flow of the pump at least in half. This of course is a great way to create millions of microbubbles which depending on where you are dumping the water, may not be what you want. If you choose to do this, be very careful that the tubing doesn't contact the impeller, I've got a Rio 1700 with 4 blades left, not pretty.

 

[chris l]

Thanks, I might give it a try.

 

[broomer5]

Another thought ....
Depending on the rating on your overflow drain - how much water it will allow to drop down to your sump, you might try placing the powerhead in the sump, running the airline tubing from the Rio back up to your overflow siphon, and running a 1/2" I.D. length of vinyl tubing from the outlet of the Rio back up to the outer box of the overflow, and shoot the water back down the drain. Rely on a little head pressure to slow down the rate of flow from the Rio.
This may affect how well the powerhead venturi draws air from the U tube though - and may cancel out what you're trying to accomplish to begin with - reducing the chance of losing siphon in the first place.
Dunno - cheap try though.

 

[chris l]

Hmm........never thought of that. Sounds like it should work. I will give it a try. Once again, thanks for the help broomer.