Discussion of the Week ~Waterflow~

[mojoreef]

Well it was a close vote between Waterflow and Reef safe fish, so...... since I get to pick....the fish loose

This weeks discussion will be about waterflow. I would love to see lots of pics on our members water return, closed loopsyour plumbing layouts and all other methods of water flow. Lets hear about your ideas on how to circulate and how to discombobulate. (sorry I had to go to Tom's dictionary for that one)

For me water flow is one of the most important factors in keeping a reef. So if you have questions now is the time to ask.



Mike

[Reedman]

I have to say it only took me 4 months to realize I wouldn't get the flow I wanted/needed in my tank from power heads. I am now working on a closed-loop (with help from Mike, Mr. Mojo) to meet my tanks requirments. All plumbing is 1.5" PVC reduced just before the ball valves to 3/4". I will have 4 outlets using loc-line so I can aim the current. Eventually I will add some sea-swirls to create a more chaotic current. All will be run by an Ampmaster 3000. Feedback is more than welcome.

I have a 75 gallon tank aiming for dedicated SPS eventually.

If I could figure out how to post an image I have a sketch of the system I would post. Oh well, high tech to the resue again.

[Reedman]

Cool, it did attach the image! WooHoo!

[Stang69]

I have a cpl of questions. Are you going to adjust the flow on the first three to allow water to get to the fourth outlet or how do you plan on doing this? Where is the pump going to draw water?


Jeff

[Reedman]

Jeff,

Each outlet will have a ball valve to control water flow. I will adjust each such that I get the flow I want out of all of the outlets. This will no doubt take some tinkering, but should work.

As for drawing water into the pump, I will simply have a J-tube into the tank (not drilled unfortunately ) and put a strainer on the end. If this is too much suction, I will have to improvise something.

Oh yeah, and both the input and outlet from the pump will have ball-valves as well for pump maintenance.

I have the added limitation of having what most consider the front and back viewable, as my tank acts as a room divider. For this reason, everything runs through the end of the tank.

-Reed

[Spanky]

as my tank acts as a room divider.

Me too Reed! and plumbing that thing was a bugger!

Right now I'm just running a Ampmaster from the sump to a manifold and back through the four returns in the corners. I have valves on the manifold that I manually turn on and off to create different flows each day.

Here a pic where you can see the four 1 1/2" returns in the upper corners and the overflow at the far end.

[Stang69]

So if I understand correctly this is going to be a return from your sump then? If so one thing to keep in mind is the water will back flow to the lvls of the loc line if unless you have a check Valve . I have seen some loops like that but they had a pump in the main tank up twards the top so if the power went out there would be no backflow to the sump area. Thus not overflowing the sump. Maybe I am just misunderstanding you


Jeff

[filly]

I feel like such a plumbing idiot. Is there a good book or resource for plumbing techniques and info such as what is a ball valve and how do they work? I admit I can build but I don't know squat about plumbing except what plumbing tape is for and how it works ! Thanks in advance for sharing your wealth of info!

[MyReef]

On my new 400 I am running 2 closed loops using Ampmaster 3000's. They will both be using an electric 3 way ball valve on a wave maker built by a friend of mine. Below is a picture of the internal plumbing for one of the loops. The white pvc plumbing is one of the loops and there are two 1 1/2" bulkheads in the back wall of the tank that is the other loop. The bottom loop alternates with one of the 3 way valves alternating every 30 seconds or so. The top loop changes position every 1 minute. At night, there is a night sensor that opens both sides of the top loop and stops them from rotating. I will try and get some pictures of the plumbing this week.

I am also using an AM 3000 with two 1" sea swirls for the circulation from the sump. So far the flow is great. It is not the sheer force you normally see in a tank, but with the 1 1/2" plumbing the flow is more gentle, but it is definitely there.

I may end up changing one of the AM 3000 with a 5600 or a 4000, but I want to get the corals and livestock in and see how it looks and they react.

[filly]

Wow, nice tank! You know, I can't believe how many of you guys live in GA! lol my parents live there and I visit there at least 2 times a year! I would love to come by and see all these tanks and talk shop and learn stuff from you guys!

[Reedman]

Hey Jeff,

I am not running a sump...so, no, mine will be a true closed loop. Simple J-tube to the input of the pump, then the drawing shows the outputs. I try to keep things simple...I get too confused when they get complicated.

Sweet tanks setup MyReef! I wish I had it to do all over again, so I could so similar. Should be a great tank.

[Rick O]

Originally posted by filly
Wow, nice tank! You know, I can't believe how many of you guys live in GA! lol my parents live there and I visit there at least 2 times a year! I would love to come by and see all these tanks and talk shop and learn stuff from you guys!

This used to be the all Oregonian board but we've made a strong comeback. Where do your parents live? We would love to have you come visit.

[DeepSix]

i remember stumbling across a d-i-y project, in which a reefer build a stand out of pvc pipe to mount liverock for an aqua-scape. i believe he ended up plumbing the pvc tubing to a return pump, which allowed the water to jet out in different directions thru drilled holes the tubing. it was a novel concept to say the least!

[filly]

QUOTE]This used to be the all Oregonian board but we've made a strong comeback. Where do your parents live? We would love to have you come visit.[/quote]

My parents live in Powder Springs, right around the corner from you guys. I lived in Atlanta up until 5 years ago in Marietta, Roswell, and Powder Springs. When I get closer to making the arrangements to go home, I'll get in contact because I would love to meet you guys!

[Doug1]

All Oregon Board Hehehehe, well we had to include the washington reefers, which seems to have mobilized the others to unite, film at 11