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05/08/2012, 11:52 AM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 51
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problems with my over flow?
Hi all, I took a 10 gallon tank and made my sump from that. I also took an old aquaclear 70 and drilled the bottom and installed 1/2 drain going to my sump. i am trying to figure the proper size return and pump to use. Since the aquaclear is rated at 300 gph, should have a return with 1/2 also rated for 300 gph? If I was to put a valve on my line going down to my sump could I also restrict water flow to match my current pump. Any ideas?
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05/08/2012, 12:06 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 676
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if you're relying on the pump in the aquaclear (HOB filter right?) rather than a siphon, there's NO WAY to match pump for pump. Just asking for trouble! (If it's not what I'm thinking of...sorry
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180 Gallon Mixed reef President/Co-founder Running4Trisomy A Butterfly's Touch |
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05/08/2012, 12:18 PM
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#3 | |
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Registered Member.
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,677
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Quote:
Also, (to the OP) what size tank do you have? Drilling a HOB filter to use as an overflow is a smart idea but just won't work. And not only that, but its a tremendous risk for your tank, and even more so, your home. The proper way to set up an overflow is via a siphon. (A common method is Durso or BeanAnimal). You don't rate your pump's power in proportion to your overflow, you rate your overflow according to your pump's power. This way your not relying on two pumps to do their job correctly 100 percent of the time, your just relying on the overflow. Which brings me to my second point, which is 1/2" is VERY restrictive. You won't get a 1/2" overflow drain to suck very much water, and as a hobby standard we oversize our drains so that there will never be an issue with the pump outperforming the drains. Last edited by TheFishTeen; 05/08/2012 at 12:25 PM. |
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05/08/2012, 12:22 PM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 2,332
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What other people said. Overflow needs to work by syphon and gravity, not a pump. There is no way to match the overflow pump with the return pump.
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375g Envision FOWLR + 125g sump 40g Reef Current Tank Info: 375g FOWLR, 40g Reef |
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05/08/2012, 12:59 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 51
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Ok, so scrapping the idea of using the aquaclear 70 pump as my siphon. I will plan on increasing the drain to 1 inch and if I can't diy a skimmer, will just have to bite the bullet and buy one. This is for a 55 gallon tank. Thanks for the help.
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