Bubbles Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Hi everyone, I'm in the process of setting up my new tank, and I've reached the point where I have to start giving serious thought to the plumbing. Total system volume is 450L (including sump). The tank has a corner overflow with a 1 inch bulkhead. According to the reefcentral calculator I can flow about 2200 L/H through the system, but I'm wondering whether that'll be sufficient At this point I believe my options are: 1) Leave it be and live with the 5x flow 2) Enlarge the existing hole 3) Add an additional hole in the same overflow 4) Install another corner overflow 5) Some other option someone here will suggest Any thoughts and feedback would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 My advice would be to add another 1 inch hole to the existing overflow and use this as a backup feed or a complimentary feed. You are welcome to inspect my system if you like, works extremely well is 100% quiet and you can duplicate now before water is in place. Let me know. 2200 lph is not enough for 450 litres IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostface Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 a bit more would be nice, but you can prob get away with that much. just make sure you have plenty of flow in the tank from powerheads / streams etc. I have a 4900lph pump on my 800l system - not sure how much it moves in real terms due to head loss and elbows in the plumbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbles Posted April 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Another 1 inch hole is my preference too (hope I don't get banned for that!). Redundancy would be nice, as would the increased flow. In terms of placement, I'd like to have also have it on the back pane. In other words, somewhat higher than the existing one. Cheers Cracker, will PM to arrange a viewing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puttputt Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 bubbles.... thats the name my kids gave my yellow tang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbles Posted April 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Errrr, time to get back in the tank then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Bubbles ..... :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 hows the fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbles Posted April 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Doing very well thanks. Was doing some maintenance in the current tank the other night, female snuck up an nipped me when I wasn't looking. Just about died from fright :-? They're gonna love the new tank. 100L x 50W x 70H = 350L, plus current 3 footer as the sump. Just need to get the plumbing finished and the return pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 I wouldn't worry about adding flow to your sump/return because you have enough for your sump size, and there is a limit to much you can push through your sump before you have problems with micro bubbles, and flow if you use it for refuge etc. I think you do need more flow than 5 times in the display, you should be looking at closed loop (s) or streams, power head etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scholesy Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 Ive got around 5000 lph going through my 380l set-up... a little more wouldn't go amiss. I have 32mm piping on the closed loop, so I could always swap the 2400lph pump with a 3500lph for some extra kick....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted April 4, 2006 Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 I have 32mm piping on the closed loop I have done the same, currently using 1060 for each loop, but one day planning on freeing up the UP7 running my skimmer and using this, 7000+lph closed loop!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbles Posted April 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2006 I don't intend to go the closed loop way, however there will be 4 x 800 LPH powerheads dropped behind the rock work to help circulate water. I may hook them up to my wavemaker device, but haven't decided yet. Suphew: are you suggesting that the above powerheads in addition to what the system can currently flow would be sufficient? Cheers for all the feedback so far everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 So you would have a total of 4x800 + 2200 or so from you return? So 5400lph in your 400l odd display, so this will give you a bit over 10 times, which is the minimum and ok for starters. The thing to remember is once the corals grow bigger they will block the flow therefore reducing it to other parts of the tank, so you need to allow for adding more flow later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbles Posted April 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 The tank has now been re-drilled. 2 bulkheads in the overflow (1 for backup) and a return added as well. All 32 mm Anyone tried one of these before: http://www.hansenproducts.co.nz/products/valve/cv.htm Haven't seen them in the shops either, just happened to stumble onto it on the website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossco Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 They work reasonably well but like most of those things flap needs to be activated/tested once in a while otherwise grit etc may cause difficulty in complete closure when it does need to. They have a reasonable selection at RD1 stores...don't know how the prices compare with towny plumbing supplies.. :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 Non rerturn valves made of plastic will fail with saltwater. My advice is to design the system withoput one if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostface Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 you would lose too much pressure with a spring check valve - you can get other types, specifically a swing-type mechanism, that dont require hardly any pressure to open / close. i had one to use on my return, but opted against it as the seal would probably get gunk on it that would stop it working 100% check water dynamics website, they have the all-plastic swing type ones on there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbles Posted April 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 Cheers guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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