Plumbing physics

[Overt]

Scenario.
A BeanAnimalOverflow setup in skim box.
The full siphon pipe w gate valve sending h2o to two different places via a T and 2 additional valves. Each destination output is fully submerged
Question 1
Will the introduction of the T split and separate destinations interfere with maintaining full siphon? Given that each destination is lower than the output on the main and the the outputs remain submerged.
Question 2
Will the full siphon pipe independently re establish full siphon if water level briefly drops, air enters the full siphon pipe then water rises to normal levels again?


My assumption is Q#1= No, Q#2=Yes.

 

[RocketEngineer]

What is the purpose of the tee? Where are you sending the water to?

 

[DDon]

A tee in the drain line, assuming it is below the level of the tank, will not impact the operation of the overflow.

 

[RocketEngineer]

A tee in the drain line, assuming it is below the level of the tank, will not impact the operation of the overflow.

No but it will impact the functioning of a BeanAnimal system. Plus it adds a choke point where something can get stuck in the drain line and cause issues.

 

[DDon]

No but it will impact the functioning of a BeanAnimal system. Plus it adds a choke point where something can get stuck in the drain line and cause issues.

Good point about choke point. When I think Tees with PVC I assume same size as main drain line with a smaller tap off of it. I have never and don't believe I would ever use a valve on my main drain line to sump. Would hate to ever risk the flow out if tank being less than flow into tank.
And now I need to read up on BeanAnimal systems now.

 

[Overt]

So a 1.5" siphon pipe split into 2x .75 pipes would move equal water when operating in a neutral environment.
However, having 2 valves could change the flow in-out balance in the main tank?
if all the water ends up in the sump at the main pump then I'm just tapering the pump output to match the incoming flow to a point below the maximum outflow capacity of the BeanAnimalOverflow main/full siphon right?
Now in a salt tank this setup is a bad idea for other reasons like the choke point concern also the razor principle/Murphy's law/KISS/practical experience all say "don't do it this way".

 

[MidwesternTexan]

So a 1.5" siphon pipe split into 2x .75 pipes would move equal water when operating in a neutral environment.
I'm not doing the math here, but in myu head, a 1.5" pipe has a different surface area than 2 x .75" I think. Therefore I don't think it moves equal water.


However, having 2 valves could change the flow in-out balance in the main tank?
if all the water ends up in the sump at the main pump then I'm just tapering the pump output to match the incoming flow to a point below the maximum outflow capacity of the BeanAnimalOverflow main/full siphon right?
Not exactly- not a good way to do it. In the BA design, the drains can always handle the output. Unless extreme, usually the RP is not 'tapered'. Rather the siphon line is tapered to keep full siphon, and a little left over goes down the other drain. The 3rd is a redundant 'just in case'.

Now in a salt tank this setup is a bad idea for other reasons like the choke point concern also the razor principle/Murphy's law/KISS/practical experience all say "don't do it this way".

 

[toothybugs]

A 1.5" pipe has a significantly greater volume than 2x 3/4" pipe - actually, it's exactly twice that. Math is interesting that way.

Split your 1.5" in to FOUR 3/4" pipes and you're golden. But you will get a lot of choke points from all the bottlenecks, not to mention the greater surface area for friction (recall the slowest flow in a river is at its edges and bottom, and fastest in the center of the flow).

Split it in to 2x1" and you'll be fine. The volume of two 1" pipes for a given length is slightly greater than for a 1.5" of the same length, which will help compensate for the choke points and extra surface friction.

Best of luck
NG