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06/09/2016, 11:39 AM | #1 |
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Connecting two tanks to common sump help
I have 3 aqua lifter pumps 2 connected to each other give enough push to get water from my sump to my secondary tank but the third pump is just fine pushing water down, but at a higher rate. Now I can't have that happening...
Would a 1/4" valve to adjust the flow work or would that be a bad idea? Here are the two tanks that are trying to be connected. |
06/09/2016, 11:57 AM | #2 |
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I don't really understand your question. A diagram might help explain what you are trying to do
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Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank |
06/09/2016, 12:19 PM | #3 |
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Yes the picture doesn't show much. Are you trying to run 2 tanks off one sump?
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06/09/2016, 12:48 PM | #4 |
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If you are trying to operate an aqualifter as a drain from tank to sump stop now before you flood your floor
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Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank |
06/09/2016, 01:06 PM | #5 |
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Crude diagram
I have to use 1/4" because it goes under a door... |
06/09/2016, 01:07 PM | #6 |
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Yeah stop that. You need a drain not a pump. You will ever mTch up the two flow rates and this will end up with a flood.
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Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank |
06/09/2016, 01:10 PM | #7 |
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That's why i got this.
Would this work to match the flow? I haven't run the pumps on the tanks yet. |
06/09/2016, 01:11 PM | #8 |
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I personally would not attempt it but you might be able to get it to work with two high precision peristaltic pumps but certainly not with aqualifters. Too big of a risk of flood IMO
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Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank |
06/09/2016, 01:23 PM | #9 |
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06/09/2016, 01:26 PM | #10 |
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06/09/2016, 01:43 PM | #11 |
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what happens if power surge and one of the pumps dies. What happens if one of the pumps impeller breaks. What happens if the inlet gets clogged a little bit. All lead to change of flow and eventual flooding.
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06/09/2016, 02:22 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
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06/09/2016, 02:36 PM | #13 |
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I echo everything said, first thing to get clogged would be that valve, also algea growth in tubes, biofilm etc etc you will be constantly adjusting and it will, flood, not a question of "if" its a question of when those are some nice wood floors you have there, do not do this.
Get an overflow or drill the tank.
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06/09/2016, 05:08 PM | #14 |
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Both tanks need to overflow and drain by gravity to the common sump. whether you use a drilled "reef ready" tank or a HOB overflow. Then each tank will need a water line from the pump for input. Which could be done with two smaller pumps or one larger one.
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06/10/2016, 06:23 AM | #15 | |
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I have 2 systems and each is made up of 2 DT and a single sump. 180g reef & 75g gorgonian tank & 180g (8'x2'x18") sump and the other is a 60g shallow reef & 25g frag tank & 120g sump. They both work just fine and I never have any issues with overflow. The DT are either drilled, have syphon overflows or both. And the syphon over flows have aqua lifter pumps to keep them running. But not JUST aqua lifters... that's asking for a flood!
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The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 Last edited by Ron Reefman; 06/10/2016 at 06:28 AM. |
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06/10/2016, 06:41 AM | #16 | |
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