Balancing flows

[keddre]

How can I improve this. The intake is branching from the dream to my sump and the output is pumping into my sump. However, I babe find a sweet spot in the ball valve; the water level in the new refugium either slowly raises or slowly lowers. And I can't over flow it as I can't drill either tank. I was thinking of an aqua lifter but it drains faster than 3gph, and it would be hard to implement that over three tanks as far as electrical (I have two more refugiums to set top). My other idea was a float valve to let water in when it drops, but if that fails then my basement is flooded.

 

[KStatefan]

If you are talking about balancing the flow from two different pumps it is next to impossible with constant adjustment.

 

[keddre]

If you are talking about balancing the flow from two different pumps it is next to impossible with constant adjustment.

Unfortunately I realize that but I'm hoping someone might have another idea on how to add these the refugiums

 

[keddre]

Let me add another question. If I want to install a 3/4 bulkhead...what size drill bit do I need to make the whole

 

[mcarroll]

How can I improve this. The intake is branching from the dream to my sump and the output is pumping into my sump. However, I babe find a sweet spot in the ball valve; the water level in the new refugium either slowly raises or slowly lowers. And I can't over flow it as I can't drill either tank. I was thinking of an aqua lifter but it drains faster than 3gph, and it would be hard to implement that over three tanks as far as electrical (I have two more refugiums to set top). My other idea was a float valve to let water in when it drops, but if that fails then my basement is flooded.

I'm not totally sure I understand, but if I do then what you're missing isn't on the pump side of the equation, but on the drain side. You need a simple hang-on gravity drain box and it will simply drain the water at the rate you pump it into the tank.

Something like these:


Marine Depot Overflow Box Nano

$49.99


Overflow Box
Overflow for supplementary installation with surface and bottom suction up to about 1,200l/h (320 US... mehr

1074/2

149.07 USD

 

[keddre]

Hopefully a picture will help me explain. To the left is my main sump, loaded with lr, it is my main filtration and copepod structure. Water flees from the dt, into that sump where it is pumped back up. What I'm adding is small refugiums for grazing algae. What I'm attempting, is to divert some flow from the display tank to sump line and have it cascade into the algae tank. What I tried for hours yesterday was to pump water from the algae tank back into my sump, however that is not working as I can not get a good balance. What I'm now thinking it's my only option, is to build a small stand to sit the algae tanks onto, and make them over flow into my sump

 

[mcarroll]

What I'm now thinking it's my only option, is to build a small stand to sit the algae tanks onto, and make them over flow into my sump

+1

This is a great option if you can see a good way to pull it off. Like I said, the gravity draining part is what you're missing.....but a drain box is not the only way to do it.....if you can do it without needing to plumb the flow.

A little tank sitting on top of the sump with a standpipe through the floor of the tank is all you need and the new refugium can take water directly from your main drain.

 

[keddre]

Now I have a "dumb" question as I'd rather buy three bulkheads and a nice drill bit for three tanks than three drain boxes. If I get get a 3/4 bulkhead will a 3/4 drill bit work, or do I need slightly larger?

 

[mcarroll]

There's this sticky: Installing Bulkhead Tips But strangely the drilling stage doesn't seem to be covered.

This thread seems to have some good links though: Drilling bulkheads

 

[keddre]

There's this sticky: Installing Bulkhead Tips But strangely the drilling stage doesn't seem to be covered.

This thread seems to have some good links though: Drilling bulkheads

Thanks. That's the problem I've been having with YouTube, everyone skips that explanation

 

[bblumberg]

Let me add another question. If I want to install a 3/4 bulkhead...what size drill bit do I need to make the whole

The safest way is to buy the bulkheads, measure the diameter and buy an appropriate size drill bit, i.e., just a bit larger.

Bruce

 

[mcarroll]

YouTube and resources like it are great, but obviously limited.....the info is voluminous but mostly of low quality and often only semi-relevant.

Those manufacturer's they linked in the second thread are known for providing lots of good info – so keep in mind other less-thought-of resources like manufacturers, google scholar links, etc.

 

[keddre]

The safest way is to buy the bulkheads, measure the diameter and buy an appropriate size drill bit, i.e., just a bit larger.

Bruce

That's probably what I well have to do. I was trying to shop online for in-store pickup. But I have yet to read the link mcarroll provided

 

[bblumberg]

Well, you could go to a well-stocked LFS and buy the bulkheads, then to home store and buy the drill, but this will cost more than, for example, buying them on Amazon, or even at one of the online aquarium suppliers. But if you want to get it done this weekend, it is pretty much your best bet.

Bruce

 

[keddre]

Well, you could go to a well-stocked LFS and buy the bulkheads, then to home store and buy the drill, but this will cost more than, for example, buying them on Amazon, or even at one of the online aquarium suppliers. But if you want to get it done this weekend, it is pretty much your best bet.

Bruce

My local Lowe's sells them for $10.00 and while I'm not 100% sure they are the same, I thought it was worth looking into while I'm out today. My lfs is out of stock

https://m.lowes.com/pd/BrassCraft-1-2-in-x-1-2-in-Threaded-Adapter-Union-Fitting/50380924

 

[bblumberg]

That link is for 1/2". If you are going to buy threaded unions, then the material is not important, but if you are going to use solvent unions, I'd buy PVC rather than ABS for ease of plumbing.

Bruce

 

[keddre]

Back. I got all the pieces I should need and got then sized, now is this a get her done while my girlfriend is relaxing upstairs job. Or is it too loud and I should take it outside? I never drilled a tank, just read about it

 

[cracker]

Consider taking it outside. While drilling glass You need a constant supply of a little water to cool things down. Remember it takes a while to drill thru the glass. The thicker the glass the longer it will take. Would take Ya a couple of hours to drill 3 holes maybe,

 

[keddre]

Got you. I knew it would take a while, but didn't realize it was that long. Guess I'll drill it tomorrow and try to get the little stand built today

 

[cracker]

How thick will the glass be? I may have exaggerated the time required . I do my drilling using the garden hose at a trickle held in place with some duct tape or such.