waterflow vs turnover.

[elan]

my question is, can i place powerheads in my tank to create waterflow instead of sump pumps returning the water creating waterflow?
I think it wold be fine but i want some other opinions.
In my research from this site and books, i find the following to be true. Can anyone offer their expirience, opinions or confirmation of my opinions?
My DSB and LR ARE my filter. The bio balls in my W/D are safe to remove over time (a little every week for 2 months while checking my water constantly)
Once fully removed, overflow and return sump pumps will not really serve much purpose. In its place, and over the next several weeks, i plan on implementing a regugium in my W/Ds place.
from what i understand, i do not want alot of waterflow in my refugium in order to get more efficiency from it.
So, if i take out one of sump pumps, it will reduce my waterflow (using the overflow) from 1800 to about 900 gallons an hour.
I plan on makeing my refugium two parts, with each being a little larger than one foot by two feet, or 4 total square feet of refugium space compared to 9 square feet of main tank space. I plan on connecting the two refugiums with PVC (aprox 2 1.5 inch each)
one end will receive the water from the overflow, thethe other end on the second refugium will receive my sump pump for water return.
Now, this will considerably reduce the amount of water circulation in my tank. so i will add additional powerheads inside my tank in order to create waterflow. (I do plan on doing more research on what kind of powerheads, power, placement, and wavemakers next )

 

[cboyfan2020]

putting PH's in the tank is what a lot of people do. I would reconsider putting 900gph through the fuge. Seems like a lot of flow to me. I am setting up a 120 w/ a 40g fuge and I am only using a mag 7 for the return @ 5' of head which would give me somewhere around 350-500gph. I am using a different approach then you so I can maximize the time the water has in the fuge. Here is a sketch of my fuge.

 

[elan]

what kind of powerheads to you have in your tank?

 

[elan]

bump

 

[elan]

i actually want to cut down my waterflow though my overflow because its only one inch and makes alot of noice due to amount of waterflowing though it

 

[zafirablanca]

With a tank that big, why not plumb both a refugium and sump into your system? I have a 125 g and that is what I did in my tank stand cabinet.
I have the higher flow going through my sump. This is also where I have my skimmer and heater. I have my submersible pump going full tilt here and plumbed return lines into each back corner of the tank. Each of my returns forks into two outlets in the tank and this provides great circulation. My auto top-off switch is also in my sump to add kalk water as needed.
One of my overflows tees off to feed the refugium. I have the fuge sitting on a modular shelf (~8" off the bottom) in my stand. It overflows through two bulkheads into my sump.
Works pretty slick.
Hope this helps,
-Christine

 

[zafirablanca]

Have you thought about coverting your overflow to a Durso Standpipe? It is the solution to noisy overflows.
Look here:
http://www.rl180reef.com/frames.htm
I am assuming that your overflow is built-in. If not (like mine) I use two overflows, Marineland Tidepool SOS. Little noise.
The benefits to having a larger volume of water are significant. Temp and water chemistry change much more slowly. Inhabitants less subject to shock from sudden changes. Waste more dilute, minerals depleted more slowly, etc. Are you planning to go without a skimmer?

 

[cboyfan2020]

i think elan's tank has a hob verflow right? If so durso wouldn't work but I use a penguin 1140 in my 55 right now but when I set my 120 up I am probably going to get 2 maxi jets and maybe set them on a wave timer

 

[elan]

if hob means hole on bottom, then you are right, my overflow is built into the tank.

 

[cboyfan2020]

no sorry, HOB means "hang-on-back". You have a "reef ready" tank. A durso standpipe would be best to cut down on noise. Just look up flow rates in the forums and you can find a lot of info.

 

[elan]

i tried putting one on, and the water noise cut down alot, but i got just as loud of an air noice. not sure what i did wrong.

 

[cboyfan2020]

there is a modification a lot of people have down to cut that sucking sound out but I cant think of it....look up durso modification and see if it is in there

 

[broomer5]

elan
I can see where running 1800 gallons per hour through a single 1" drilled bottom overflow would be noisy.
I'm surprised you were able to drain that much flow in the first place - but obviously you did.
Since you'll be relying on the sandbed and live rock for your tank's biofiltration ~ you're right ~ there will not be as great a need to run water through the sump wet/dry.
The bioballs will slowly be removed from the equation - right.
You want enough internal tankwater circulation in the tank to move the water/wastes across your live rock/sandbed, and enough at the surface for gas exchange.
Dropping down to one single pump would be fine - as long as you maintain the internal tank water circulation.
Adding powerheads is often done for this exact reason - as you're said you plan to do soon.
Personally - I think for 135 gallon tank - having the single 1" drain is what's causing you this delima, and makes for a loud overflow/filtration system.
Adding the refugium is a great idea !!!
Have you considered running one wet/dry as a refugium, and the other as a sump ?
Elevate the fuge, and allow the water to overflow from fuge to sump ?
Tee off the one main return line to feed the fuge, and keep the other return pump in the sump as well.
Then set a timer - and run both pumps when you're away out of the room ( at night or whatever ) and then run one single pump ( the one that feeds the fuge ) 24/7
I do something similar to this - and it works out pretty good.
Then - if you want - you may still want to add a powerhead or two in the tank.
Just an idea

 

[elan]

broomer5, thanks for the suggestions and confirmations. I checked out your site and i am very impressed!
I cant wait till the third week of april when i take a week vacation to construct a new hood and refugium for my tank.
Got one more question for you, i didnt see a skimmer on your tank. are you skimmerless??

 

[broomer5]

Thanks elan !
I ran the tank without a skimmer for a few months ~ but eventually put it back into service.
I just run a small CPR SR2 in the sump on a timer.
Could not bring myself to run entirely skimmerless - even with the refugium.
Good luck on your upcoming projects !