360 in wall - need your help

[teo241]

Consider running one full siphon (tuned) and one open channel if you really want to hit that number

That's a great idea, one drain will have a much shorter run, nearly straight down into the sump, that one would probably work better for a true siphon. Just hope I can't hear it through the wall. Wonder how hard it will be to tune the drains together.

 

[teo241]

OK here comes the age old arguments lol!
Personally I think too fast a sump flow takes away from contact time with filtration.
I have my overflow setup in time with my skimmers flow.
So, no more flow through the sump then 600gph. On my small system. I have 100 gallons gross....

Not to open a new discussion since I already purchased my skimmer but what type are you using on your 180? The BK SM250 is about 2000 l/h or 500-600 gph, so if going for more contact time I could really throttle back the reeflo return, and aim for maybe 1000 gph or so through the sump. That way I wouldn't have to worry about overwhelming the drains.

 

[FFrankie]

I am running a custom skimmer I built. It is a beckett style. You should do good with those numbers.
I do not rely on return water for flow. I use other methods for that. I have a closed loop on this setup and also a powerhead for disruption.

 

[FFrankie]

 

[iced98lx]

That's a great idea, one drain will have a much shorter run, nearly straight down into the sump, that one would probably work better for a true siphon. Just hope I can't hear it through the wall. Wonder how hard it will be to tune the drains together.

If you tune the full siphon with a gate valve and put the output under the water, you won't hear much as it'll handle 95+% of the flow and the open channel will only handle a small amount, creating almost no air intake. Basically you're running the first two channels of a BA type system without the emergency backup. I suggest you follow the BA pattern and make an air line that can create a siphon in the second channel should the first get clogged up.

not as much safety built in this way.


If I may ask, why 1800gph through the sump? Just going rule of themb? Some specific reason?

 

[iced98lx]

Woops you just said you were thinking of throttling back up there, which IMHO is a good idea.

 

[teo241]

If I may ask, why 1800gph through the sump? Just going rule of themb? Some specific reason?

Was going 'rule of thumb', but the more I read the less sense it makes, just more throughput without filtration (other than mechanical with filter socks) since the skimmer only handles 525 gph or so. Putting 1800 gph through the sump would just be a waste of power.

Most of the flow in the tank will be from the vortechs.

Over the past several hours I'm thinking I might just buy a royal exclusiv dreambox and use an ecotech Vectra pump as a return, or possibly an RD3 speedy. They are easily controllable, should be about twice as efficient as a Reeflo and I won't have to worry about leaks. Like the idea of just dialing up the voltage to get the amount of flow I want.

I'll probably change my mind eight more times but at least there is some direction at this point. All input is appreciated.

 

[iced98lx]

Was going 'rule of thumb', but the more I read the less sense it makes, just more throughput without filtration (other than mechanical with filter socks) since the skimmer only handles 525 gph or so. Putting 1800 gph through the sump would just be a waste of power.

Most of the flow in the tank will be from the vortechs.

Over the past several hours I'm thinking I might just buy a royal exclusiv dreambox and use an ecotech Vectra pump as a return, or possibly an RD3 speedy. They are easily controllable, should be about twice as efficient as a Reeflo and I won't have to worry about leaks. Like the idea of just dialing up the voltage to get the amount of flow I want.

I'll probably change my mind eight more times but at least there is some direction at this point. All input is appreciated.

I agree with the statements you're making here. I have a DC return pump that is internal and I dial in the flow I like from it and then make up the flow with power heads in the tank, which seems to work fine IMHO. I am considering adding a pair of 1 inch sea swirls for the return, just to spice things up.

 

[teo241]

I agree with the statements you're making here. I have a DC return pump that is internal and I dial in the flow I like from it and then make up the flow with power heads in the tank, which seems to work fine IMHO. I am considering adding a pair of 1 inch sea swirls for the return, just to spice things up.

Can I ask what type of pump you are using? are you happy with it? I used 3/4 inch sea swirls on a 120 some time back, my only issue was mounting since they are bulky but they worked well for random flow.

 

[scubadan206]

I like to think of flow through the sump as this. Put as much as possible through the filtration. It s not just about how much your skimmer can pull. It's about how much the combination of all our filter components have access to. Skimmers are not the most efficient at removing undesirable things from the water. We need to put as much through the full gamut of water purification components as we can, to achieve the levels of "clean" that we are after.

Daniel. :strange:

 

[iced98lx]

Can I ask what type of pump you are using? are you happy with it? I used 3/4 inch sea swirls on a 120 some time back, my only issue was mounting since they are bulky but they worked well for random flow.

I am currently running a Jebao DCT-12000 in my 180 and so far I do like it. I replaced a DC-12000 that I bought used which died. I am a fan of the DC/Controllable pumps.

 

[andregarcia_73]

I cant wait to see this fully set up. Following along

 

[teo241]

Decided to go with a custom design from Advanced Acrylics, John was great and is building it for me now, will let you know how it turns out, and will probably do a build thread if anyone is interested.

 

[FFrankie]

Can't wait to see it!