Re-thinking My Return Lines

[Mrramsey]

Hey guys - My tank has been up and running now for a solid 7 months. Overall I am pretty happy with my design with one exception. I was trying to use my returns two fold as returns to recirculate the water but also as "jets" to increase flow. It does increase the flow however I think it is counter productive with the use of my bean animal overflow.

I have 1 1.5" return line that tees off into 3 - 1" lines over the top at the front angling toward the back. The center return tees again into two heads. The look is nice because you really don't see them in the tank at all.

The con I am seeing is that suspended particles are not effectively making their way back to the overflow because the increased downward flow that is spread across the width of the tank just forces it all downward. would have been a great concept if the returns were on the bottom of the tank pointing upward like a closed loop system.

Now I am thinking of removing the returns and going to a single 1.5" in one corner. also thinking of putting it maybe 1/2 way down in the tank rather than just dumping it in at the surface.

Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.

 

[thegrun]

Because the rockwork is different in every tank it is difficult to predict how the change will actually affect the water flow. If it is not a lot of work give it a try. Sometimes even very minor reconfigurations to return discharge direction or elevations make major water flow changes.

 

[Mrramsey]

Yeah, the biggest issue it that with the amount of flow from the return nozzles pointing back from the front is it creates a counter current pulling surface water and debris back toward the nozzles away from the coast to coast overflow.

A fair amount of debris does make it and my filter socks are proof of that but I believe there is too much still remaining in the tank. So my though is if the return flow was lower in the tank I would likely end up with a more upward flow in the tank in the hopes of carrying more debris to the surface and into the overflow.

 

[gone fishin]

Just make sure your sump can take the extra flow back when the pump is off.

 

[Mrramsey]

Should only cost me about $15 bucks to retrofit this onto the existing system. I have plenty of pipe just need a few fittings and some pvc cement.