regading max flow

[Joe M Damone]

Hi All,
Spoke to all glass today and they said each over flow of the new mega flow box would take 700 gph so looks like about 1400 gal per hour in a 125
that may do it for water flow gotta count up how many gph I have now in my 50


Joe

 

[reefann]

If you cut the slots on the overflow down lower you can get more flow, if thats what you are looking for.
BTW I think 1400 gph should be great on that sized tank.
Are you going to do a closed loop to?
JJ
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[Joe M Damone]

not sure what you mean by a closed loop?


Joe

 

[Anonymous]

I think 1400 is pretty much the bare minimum for flow in a 125. I try to shoot for 20X the tank volume as a minimum even in a soft coral reef tank. Are these internal overflows inside the tank or external hang on the back overflows? I'm not sure if your overflow limitation is because of your pipe diameter or because of the teeth on the box, but I suspect it's the pipe diameter.

There are ways to accomplish more flow in your tank, of course--powerheads. A couple on each end of the tank pointed at the surface should work fine. A "closed loop" is simply a pump that sits outside the tank but is connected via plumbing to an inlet and outlet--drilled holes in the tank.

 

[Joe M Damone]

got it. no closed loop planned and trying to stay away from powerheads this time around.all glass says the 1 inch pipe can take more than 700gph its the overflow box that cant take more but maby I will increase the depth of the teeth to increase flow.Also it is drilled with2 built in overflow boxes I.trying to keep it as simple as possible with the least amount of stuff(to go wrong) as possible.I also now remember the 20x tank volume per hour as a rule of thumb.That means I am way off maby I will have to re think this plan


Thanks
joe

 

[Anonymous]

IMO, a 1" pipe can handle up to 1000 gph (maybe more, I don't know).

You can also break off every other tooth on the box to increase the flow it can handle. Another option is placing a powerhead in your overflow box and having it pump out into the tank. You may want to check out this article about *eductors*, which are available at www.aquaticecosystems.com :

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/ ... review.htm

They amplify the apparent flow created by your pump. If these work as stated, I see no reason why everyone shouldn't have these on their tanks.

Another option is a device created by www.wave2k.com . I have one center unit coming for my tank right now. I can't fully recommend one yet, as I haven't ever used one. The site claims they can produce 4000 gallons per hour.

Do your overflow boxes have an internal return? It should be another hole where your return pump gets plumbed through. If they do, you can use this hole as another drain to the sump to handle more flow. You then have to return water from the sump behind the back of the tank, rather than through the overflow box. Check out this design:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/ ... /short.htm

 

[gman2]

Joe,

I dont think I saw the size of over flow box you are talking about. I assume you are talking standard (is there really one) 6"X6". You can increase the size to like 6"x8", 7"x7", 7"x8". Tou get my drift.

I have had both acrylic overflows made and glass with acrylic top part with the teeth to drain, so the manufacture should have no problems.

This should increase the flow with very little hassle on your end. I personally would go with a 1.5" drain pipe instead of 1".

Just my 2cents.

Good luck

 

[reefann]

think 1400 is pretty much the bare minimum for flow in a 125

I though he meant strictly going to his sump, yeah with 1400gph ONLY you will need more power heads in the tank.
JJ
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[PeeJ]

did you see the overlfows on the megaflow tanks? they arent typical..i.e. the slots are enclosed on all sides, making "breaking" off teeth, hard if not down right impossible.

also, they are rounded, not square.

right? or am i thinking of a different tank?

 

[Joe M Damone]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the links info etc.So far I am liking the eductor. Looks simple enough.Anyone on this forun useing one?Whats the story on that wave maked type device not alot of info on the website.I have not seen the new all glass overflows apparently they have changed the design.They are sending me info on it.Still would like to use only the returns though.

Joe

 

[Anonymous]

matt -
eductor, i looked at them on the website, and i'm still not sure exactly what they do. you put them on the output of the pump and it increases
the flow that much? you could put one on a regular powerhead?

also, anyone ever use that wave2k thing?

 

[Anonymous]

The eductor has a range of flow rates to be useful. The article gives these ranges. If you use a powerhead within these ranges, it should work. The way it works is the same way a venturi does--Bernoulli's principle. The fast moving water has lower pressure than the surrounding water, sucking more water in.

As far as I can tell, the wave2k has only been around for a year or so, not really enough stories to say for sure how reliable it is. I talked to the manufacturer yesterday and he told me the major bugs are worked out. What seems to be a unanimous opinion is that they have great customer service and will fix any problems for you.