plumbing help!!

[rkaragozler]

"This would pass the return flow through three 90deg elbows. Each one restricts flow.
Also, this doesnt address what you were saying about the WC issue. You are still removing the same tidal volume during a WC."

Actually when at the manifold their is very little head loss because it is closest to the pump. because evrything has valves on it water tends to go to the one that is open the most. and as far as wc if one person has a return chamber holding say 2.5 gallons, it is not the same total volume if your tank is 90 gallons. it would be if your tank is 25 gallons, maybe i'm wrong???

 

[Imbarrie]

What you are saying makes zero sense.
Basic hydraulic theory states that each 90deg elbow restricts flow up to 50%.

I agree with one thing, water will flow to the area of least restriction.
But, when you include 90deg obstacles your head pressure is lost because it ran into 90deg corners. Think about the difference between you running down a hallway. You cant run as fast if you keep having to turn corners.
You need to keep your return as straight as possible.

Also, how do you maintain salinity if you are doing water changes without topping off your sump. If you are topping off your sump then what you suggest leaves your return section full and only changes the tidal difference.
My way replaces both during a WC.

 

[afernandez]

now im lost..

 

[rkaragozler]

Imbarrie maybe i'm wrong, i'm not an engineer, i just look at it this way it water is restricted in any way you have head loss no matter what. the only way i see you not having any head loss is to put a piece of pipe on a sump run it straight up, but even then you have 2 90 degree elbows or 1 if you use lockline. I know about head loss this is the reason why they make different size pumps rated for high pressure.

 

[LaurieC]

me too

 

[Imbarrie]

Go with your last drawing with one change.

On the return, remove the BV on the bottom to the top of all the other fittings.


Steps during a WC;
1 Gradually top off sump with fresh RODI
2 Turn off your reactor main BV
3 Turn off your return pump
4 When all the water drains to your sump, shut off the BV to the tank and open the WC BV
5 Turn on return pump and evacuate the return section of the sump and discard the water then shut off the pump
6 Return all the BV's to the operational position and refill sump with newly mixed aged salt water
7 Turn on pump ( I would do this in intervals so you dont shock anything in your tank if you have a salinity or temp gradient)

Enjoy

 

[Imbarrie]

the only way i see you not having any head loss is to put a piece of pipe on a sump run it straight up, but even then you have 2 90 degree elbows or 1 if you use lockline. I k

What you just imagined is the most optimal situation for a return pump.


If you put any impediments in the way your pump is not performing as it should. Why would you want that? When you buy a Mag7 you want 700GPH, right?
Why would you want to reduce that by adding 90deg angles when you dont need them?
I have 1 90deg and that is the one that angles it into my tank at the very top. BV's or tee's do not affect this but 90deg's do.

 

[afernandez]

ok.. let me draw the lates upgrade lol
my next statement is a Q or idea
"how about i just add it one to the top and not remove the bottom one? (Y)
if all the flow is going up ^ right once i take off the union some water is coming down right i would want to stop that right?"

what do you think . ill draw it up to show you what i mean.

 

[Imbarrie]

No, you want that coming back into your sump. That is the water you are going to pump out for the WC.

How much water are you going to change during a WC?
How big is your return section in your sump?

 

[afernandez]

return sump is 10.5L*9w*15H

10g ish a week

 

[Imbarrie]

According to RC Volume Calculator this chamber will hold a little over 8.8 gallons.

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/vol.php?tankLength=15.5&tankWidth=9&tankHeight=15&sump=Calculate

If you include the residual water level that your return pump cannot reach you may only be able to replace 7-7.5 gallons per WC. This means you will still need to syphon water from your tank during a WC.

In this case, I dont think the WC valve would be worth the trouble to install.

 

[afernandez]

i still want to keep it lol

 

[Imbarrie]

LOL

Ok.

 

[afernandez]

ok here it is
attempt #4

attempt #5

 

[Imbarrie]

I like #4.

That is what I will be using on my return

 

[afernandez]

btw this not going to be that close ..its this close for space purpose.

 

[rkaragozler]

I like #4 also. If you take that drawing and turn it 90 degrees to the left it is similar to mine. what size tank do you have and what pump were you looking at using?
remember that most reactors require at least 100gph, this must be calculated into your pump requirements as well.

 

[LaurieC]

Now that you took your chiller off the return--how are you going to cycle your water through the chiller?

 

[afernandez]

Rkara- It's a 60g cube. Eheim 1262.

Laurie-I thinking a second pump

 

[LaurieC]

If you add multiple in-sump pumps, it will add heat to your water. Why don't you sell or return the Eihem and get a bigger pump to run everything?