Plumbing Puzzle

[Cosmic]

Hi all,
I setup a 175 Oceanic RR tank w/ the dual overflows draining into separate vessels, one overflow per vessel. One drains into a Precision Marine R24 refugium, the other into an Oceanic Model 2 sump.
The problem is in regulating the flow into these vessels. The larger oceanic sump uses a rio 3100 as a return pump, while I am only using a rio 1700 for the refugium. The problem is, the refugium is still emptying faster than the larger sump. I installed a ball valve just recently after the rio 1700 to tone down the flow rate, but is there a better way to plumb this setup than how I have it? As is, any pump clogging/slowing up can have devastating effects on my floor.
Thanks for all the help, and none of the associated flames that always arise.

 

[flyyyguy]

So you are using two seperate return pumps??

If so, the easy fix would be to stop doing that.

Set up the refugium to gravity overflow into the skimmer chamber of the sump, then one return pump to the tank.

As well, the water coming out of the refugium should still be skimmed afterwards becasue even if you do think a refugium is a effective means of nutrient export, it surely doesnt do it quickly enough to warrant not skimming the water passing through it.

 

[sjm817]

If you have two vessels (sump/fuge), you need to put a piece of plumbing in between them to keep them balanced.

 

[Cosmic]

I cannot set any sort of gravity flow due to the fact they are at the same level...Ground. Removing a pump from the system may sound easy, but is not possible the way I see things. Thanks though for your thoughts.

As for adding a pipe to balance the 2, it would not be effective if the pipe has to come over the top of the vessels, right?
To my knowledge, the P.M. refugium does not have bulkhead fittings, making this situation an unpleasant modification to put into effect.

Are there any other possibilities I may be overlooking here?

 

[sjm817]

The two pumps are not the problem. They are both pumping into the same display, so thats fine. The problem is the two drains into two separate sumps. The top of both sumps are the same level? Can you post a pic or diagram of the setup? no matter what, you will need to plumb something between the two sumps to keep them balanced. Over the top is possible, but is not desirable. Installing a couple of bulkheads would be much better. Another option is to raise one of them up, install a bulkhead in it and it can overflow into the other. That is the way my sump and fuge are set up.

 

[flyyyguy]

You dont even need to raise it up......just install a bulkhead near the top of the refugium anywhere thats higher than the operating level of the sump. Like i said, overflow into the sump from the refugium. All it takes to do this is a higher water oeprating level between the two.

Just liek if you had one vessel........you will still of course make sure you have enough room to deal with whatever backsiphon happens when the power goes out until it hits your siphon break.