Modified dual "Lifereef Overflow" (slimline model) 2,000 gph and TOTALLY silent!

[ReefMeister2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7961858#post7961858 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spence15610
I am trying to understand why you would need that much flow through your sump, How much flow does your skimmer handle ? and not very much contact time in your fuge at that rate

The skimming concern with fast flow is one of the most wide-spread fallacies in this hobby. (right up there with the "closed-loop fad", but I'll save that argument for another time)
Think about fluid dynamics for a moment. What goes on within the reaction chamber of a skimmer is mutually exclusive to whatever is going on outside the skimmer. In other words, water flow can be whizzing by at lightning speed through the sump and it still wouldn't have any relevance to what's going on inside that $600 acrylic tube. X-quanity of water is sucked up by the skimmer pump and Y-quantity is expelled at the skimmer outlet...simple as that. What goes on "inside" has nothing to do with what's going on "outside". Things that DO matter are the velocity of the skimmer pump, efficiency/impeller design, air volume, etc.

Now to answer your original question:
I have that much flow going through my sump....because I can!
I hate the look of powerheads in a display tank, and I loath the concept of closed-loops on small/medium sized tanks even more.

No really, if you were to stand directly in-front of my sump, you would not possibly guess that there is that much flow going through there. The tranquility is due to two factors:
1) my drain splits into two outlets with the bulk of the flow going through the filter sock and the other going to the fuge (all gravity fed) therefore alot of the velocity is "shared" so to speak; they then converge again into the center pump compartment for the return.

2) Just plain 'ole sh_ _ house luck! when I originally designed my sump I had absolutely no idea about what I was doing! I just did what seemed logical at the time.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=579223

 

[ReefMeister2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7961106#post7961106 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cabin
Reefmeister,
You mentioned here and on the Calfo overflow thread that white-nut bulkheads are useful because of the particular threading compatibility they offer. YOu never said where to get them, and I've hunted everywhere I can think of and seen no sign of them. Can you share the source of these white-nut bulkheads?

Unfortunately, I purchase them at local fish stores (which means rediculous mark-ups) because I hate to rely on pictures; and even then, most websites only give you a b/w sketch.
Here is one website that shows a full color picture, though I haven't ordered any bulkheads from them yet.
http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/subsubcategorypage.asp?subcatindexid=pf-ta-t3
this is a very good vendor for almost any equipment.

 

[spence15610]

ReefMeister2 - thanks for the reply to my question, I understand where you are coming from now

 

[spence15610]

Nice sump/fuge set up by the way

 

[RandyStacyE]

I second that.

Custom Aquatic takes their customer support very seriously. Good company and most of their prices are cheaper than most.

 

[ReefMeister2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7967032#post7967032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spence15610
ReefMeister2 - thanks for the reply to my question, I understand where you are coming from now

Naaaaahhhhh!....unfortunately it's not quite that easy......it's more like:

Give me an "F"...... F :bounce3:

Give me an "L"...... L :bounce2:

Give me an "O"...... O :bounce1:

Give me a "W" ...... W :bounce3:


What's that spell?????????
.
.
.
.
:dance: FLOW!!! :dance:









I know, I know
I havn't a clue where this stuff comes from either...
I scare even myself sometimes!

 

[cabin]

Reefmeister,
You seem to have removed the sponge filter that normally comes on the Lifereef overflow. Somewhere in your posts I think you mentioned having a filter sock. Is that on the end of the pipe that dumps into the sump? If so, how often do you have to clean that? I've read filter socks are not a good idea; if you are using them, why do you prefer it to the sponge filter on the Lifereef?

Finally, the bulkheads link you gave me, which is very useful, lists both "thread by thread" and "thread by socket connection." I have no idea what this means, can you explain which I would want? (These choices are on the white-nut bulkheads.) Thank you so much!

 

[ReefMeister2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7967914#post7967914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cabin
Reefmeister,
You seem to have removed the sponge filter that normally comes on the Lifereef overflow. Somewhere in your posts I think you mentioned having a filter sock. Is that on the end of the pipe that dumps into the sump? If so, how often do you have to clean that? I've read filter socks are not a good idea; if you are using them, why do you prefer it to the sponge filter on the Lifereef?

Finally, the bulkheads link you gave me, which is very useful, lists both "thread by thread" and "thread by socket connection." I have no idea what this means, can you explain which I would want? (These choices are on the white-nut bulkheads.) Thank you so much!

I'm so sorry for responding 2 weeks late...I've had alot on my plate lately. anyhow, to answer your questions:
1) Filter sock.
Yes, I've always run a filter sock to remove debris from the water, but have since changed micron size. I used to use the standard 100 micron sock but had to rinse/clean it every third or fourth day or so. I have since switched to the 150 micron and only rinse it once a week at most. The 150 micron also has the added benefit of allowing smaller substances (such as phytoplankton, zoo plankton, etc) through the netting. The downside, of course, is that it doesn't "polish" the water as much as the 100 micron. This is a tradeoff that you will have to decide for yourself which is most beneficial for your particular system.

2) Bulkheads:
Thread x thread means it is threaded at BOTH ends inside the bulkhead fitting.
Thread x socket means that it is threaded at one end (the flange side) and smooth for glue fittings at the other end.
Both types are threaded on the outside to accomodate a nut, however, the WHITE colored nut bulkheads have standard pipe threads on the outside inwhich ballvalves, etc can be threaded to; black nut varieties have a special off-size that prevents this.

 

[H20ENG]

"WHITE colored nut bulkheads have standard pipe threads on the outside inwhich ballvalves, etc can be threaded to"

...The exception being that they are STRAIGHT threads (like conduit fittings), and not tapered like pipe fittings.

So use extra tape or teflon goop

 

[ReefMeister2]

So use extra tape or teflon goop

ahh, yes...I should've mentioned that. Use teflon tape or teflon paste (not pipe dope) to "lubricate" the threads first, otherwise you won't be able to thread more than two threads.
Thanks H20ENG

BTW, do you know of a good source/website for these bulkheads? (white-nut variety of course). I usually find myself buying them at the lfs just to visually confirm that I'm getting the correct type. I'm really tired of paying $10+ for an "economy" bulkhead at the lfs
thanks

 

[cabin]

I haven't tried it yet, but talking to a fellow reefer recently about bulkheads, he mentioned going to marinas. He said boat people have a regular need to move water from one container to another, and that is where he always buys his bulkheads.

 

[ReefMeister2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8084983#post8084983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cabin
I haven't tried it yet, but talking to a fellow reefer recently about bulkheads, he mentioned going to marinas. He said boat people have a regular need to move water from one container to another, and that is where he always buys his bulkheads.

Having owned a boat for many years, I can tell you from experience that this is the most expensive option of all. I'm sure they have many items in stock, and hence the element of convenience, but you can reasonbly expect to pay triple or more compared to identicle items available on the internet. The mark-up of boat parts/supplies is insane when purchases at brick-and-mortar marine stores. Boating club membership stores such as Boat/USA may be a bit less expensive, but there's not very many of those stores out there.