How to increase drain flow..??

[JDM_SOHC]

I have a 55g with a corner overflow, a wet/dry underneath, and a mag7 return... I have a 1" bulkhead and a 1" Durso above it the goes the entire height of the glass (standard 55 gallon).. So anyways, my water seems to not have much flow and I think it's partially due to the restriction of my return pump.. I'd love to run the return fully open but it doesn't allow the tank to drain enough before it starts overflowing my display tank.. If I went up to like 1.5" drain flex hose, and 1.5" Durso would that increase flow or would the return still need to be gated back..?? I'm just tryna see how I can get as much flow possible to my tank and still have everything leveled off.. Thank you..

 

[Ron Reefman]

Maybe I'm not as smart as I think I am? LOL! I'm not following you at all.

You say the problem, "partially due to the restriction of my return pump.. I'd love to run the return fully open but it doesn't allow the tank to drain enough before it starts overflowing my display tank..." That's a problem with not draining enough out of the DT back to the sump, not the pumps problem.

Putting a bigger durso and bigger hose may help a bit. But you are still flowing through a 1" bulkhead. If it's flowing at full speed, the only way to make it better is a bigger bulkhead, or an additional drain (a second bulkhead or a siphon overflow). You may find that removing the durso and just having an open straight pipe drain will work better in terms of flow from the tank to the sump, but it may also be really noisy!

 

[shaggss]

You may find that removing the durso and just having an open straight pipe drain will work better in terms of flow from the tank to the sump, but it may also be really noisy!

+1 but if you add a gate valve and slowly close it so it becomes a syphon then it won't make ANY noise at all. Do a search for Herbie overflow. Very simple, works extremely well and NO micro bubbles!

 

[JDM_SOHC]

Maybe I'm not as smart as I think I am? LOL! I'm not following you at all.

You say the problem, "partially due to the restriction of my return pump.. I'd love to run the return fully open but it doesn't allow the tank to drain enough before it starts overflowing my display tank..." That's a problem with not draining enough out of the DT back to the sump, not the pumps problem.

Putting a bigger durso and bigger hose may help a bit. But you are still flowing through a 1" bulkhead. If it's flowing at full speed, the only way to make it better is a bigger bulkhead, or an additional drain (a second bulkhead or a siphon overflow). You may find that removing the durso and just having an open straight pipe drain will work better in terms of flow from the tank to the sump, but it may also be really noisy!

Yah sorry for the confusion, I was confused while I was typing it so I didn't expect it to come in 100% literate lol.. I basically just want the water to flow faster I suppose is the issue.. I assumed by opening the drain up larger it would do that.. And what I meant by the return pump being gated back, is that since it's gated back some, it's not flowing fully either, as I'd like to get that movin a lil water as well, by being able to open it up more, because when I open it up more now the tank starts to overflow because it's not draining fast enough...

+1 but if you add a gate valve and slowly close it so it becomes a syphon then it won't make ANY noise at all. Do a search for Herbie overflow. Very simple, works extremely well and NO micro bubbles!

I'll check into this idea.. The tank is in my bedroom so I'd like to keep it as quiet as possible but I'm open to all ideas.. And that's why I went with the durso is because from what i've seen read, it's the quietest...

Thanks for the feedback guys, keep it coming =)

 

[azjohnny]

+1 but if you add a gate valve and slowly close it so it becomes a syphon then it won't make ANY noise at all. Do a search for Herbie overflow. Very simple, works extremely well and NO micro bubbles!

If you put a gate valve on the drain make sure you have a 2nd drain as an emergency drain or you will end up with a wet floor

 

[slowwrx137]

I would try upsizing your durso to 1.25" similar to the DIY from http://www.dursostandpipes.com/make-your-own-diy. I have a standard Aqueon reef-ready 90 gallon and use a mag 9.5 return pump at full flow with no issue. I'm using vinyl tubing for my drain and return.

 

[JDM_SOHC]

I would try upsizing your durso to 1.25" similar to the DIY from http://www.dursostandpipes.com/make-your-own-diy. I have a standard Aqueon reef-ready 90 gallon and use a mag 9.5 return pump at full flow with no issue. I'm using vinyl tubing for my drain and return.

Even if I upsized my durso, I'd still be going through a 1" bulkhead so wouldn't that not really make a difference..?? It's time to hop on this so I can get more drainage goin I just need to find a sufficient and least cost effective way of doing it..

I'm thinking about removing my 3/4" return and making that another drain, than running a dual return setup off my mag 7... How does that sound..??