Help with my Sump Flow

[brooke71]

I am trying to setup a new 180 gal tank and I hope I have not made a mistake regarding the flow to my sump. I am trying to use both of the bulkheads to get the water into my sump by using durso pipe stands. One is a 1 1/2 and the other is 1 inch. they are in the same overflow (see pics below). As you can see I have them the same height (if you can't see it take my word because the pics are not too good). I have a Reef Octopus Water Blaster HY-5000 Pump to return the water out of a couple 1 inch returns. I can't get any flow at all unless I take one of the stands off. Then it flows very fast and I can get a great return but when I put the stand back on the flow is slow and I can't even get the return to ripple.
Here are my questions:
1. Can I have them in the same overflow? I get a dribble from both but nothing I like.
2. Should I mod them or use a different approach in the overflow?

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated! I am going to use a smart wave controller with 3-4 powerheads in the tank but I would like to at least see some ripples from my returns.

 

[brooke71]

Anyone?

Anyone?

Any suggestions???

 

[MadBeach]

What do you mean by "I can't get any flow at all unless I take one of the stands off"?????

 

[MadBeach]

Using both bulkheads isn't an issue, that's for sure. Are you making adjustments to the height at where the water drains back into the sump?

 

[JPerkins2]

What size holes did you drill in your dursos?

 

[Ron Reefman]

The durso will slow the flow down when compared to an open pipe. I have a similar issue in my tank. Mine is a 180g with a 1" and 3/4" drains. I set the 1" up with a durso and set it a bit deeper in the overflow and it seems to flow OK. BTW I have increased the size of the hole and hose in the top of the durso. The 3/4" pipe is just an opne pipe with a strainer grill at the top. It doesn't get any water as the deeper durso pipe pulls all the water in the overflow down below the top of the 3/4" pipe. So it has become an emergency drain.

I can't see your overflow in the pics. How long are the walls of your weir (overflow wall)? Mine is only 6" x 8" and when the tank water level is as high as I can make it, it still doesn't flow more water than the one durso can drain, so I really don't need two and that's why I made the second one into an emergency drain. I also have a 2" pipe drilled thru the bottom to feed a CL (Closed Loop) and a 1" drain that directly feeds my AquaMedic Shorty 5000 skimmer. Both of these are out in the tank, not behind the overflow. Both have durso stand pipes that just stick out the top of the LR wall at the back of the tank.

So how much have you played with the hieght of the durso and the hose in the top. That hose (both the diameter and how far into the durso it extends) makes a huge difference in how well the durso flows.

 

[shaggss]

Do a search for Herbie or Beananimal overflows. Both are great systems and will fix your troubles.

 

[mtcoins123]

I also have seen many Beananimal reviews that are good i personaly just have 3" tall slotted screens in my tank overflows and am very happy i get lots of flow that way, but i have a sealed top so no noise escapes.