bigger return pump to get more flow

[SeeFu]

How many % are you running your COR20? Under optimal conditions (and brand new and clean!) it has a nominated flow rate or 2,000 GPH if I remember correctly.

Are you using an Apex flow meter for measuring?

at 70%-100% there's no change, its always around 250. i'm using the neptune flow meter

 

[SeeFu]

Gives a nice flow, good suspension, temps stay better, dilutes my dosing quicker and prevents percipitation

diluting dosing is my only reason to do this. when i does, you the ph in my sump increases a good amount for about 5 min. otherwise my tank has awesome flow. 4x mp40 and 2 gyre 350.

 

[KStatefan]

at 70%-100% there's no change, its always around 250. i'm using the neptune flow meter

What is the range of the flow meter?

 

[SeeFu]

What is the range of the flow meter?

its the neptune 1" flow sensor. 150-1500 gph

 

[Reefering1]

diluting dosing is my only reason to do this. when i does, you the ph in my sump increases a good amount for about 5 min. otherwise my tank has awesome flow. 4x mp40 and 2 gyre 350.

If this is your only concern, consider a small pump, where doses drip, to mix it better. Better than revamping your plumbing to accomplish the same thing.

 

[SeeFu]

If this is your only concern, consider a small pump, where doses drip, to mix it better. Better than revamping your plumbing to accomplish the same thing.

i already do that. it's not really a concern, it woudl just be a nice benefit.

 

[CasperOe]

its the neptune 1" flow sensor. 150-1500 gph

Do you trust it? I wouldn't... Have seen three fail in my own tank! I use mine now mostly for some consistency and as a fail safe- and not to measure actual flow!

Give the good old bucket trick a go to verify!

 

[SeeFu]

i guess i'll try tonight.

 

[SeeFu]

5 gal bucket test shows closer to 200gph

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

High flow thru refugium is not necessary as the plants cannot strip nutrients that fast. More water passing will not grow chaeto faster.
Eshoppes sumps bypass 90% of flow around refugium.
High flow can move critters and algae out of the refigium.
What is the reason for high flow thru refugium?

Love, love, love my Eshopps sump!

 

[jason2459]

I've ended up tossing all my Neptune flow meters. They all failed over the years. I had 4 or 5 can't remember. My return meter was the first to go.

Side note, I have about 900-1000gph with my return on a 120g tank and 40g breeder custom sump. DCT15000 with about 10' head height from my basement with 1" PVC, 3 90's, to a Y, to 2x 3/4 tubing, and a couple 90 degree barbs and locline inside the tank. The DCT15000 has 16.4' head height max and I'm running it at 70% power. Bought it in 2016.



Looking at the COR-20 it has an impressive 20' head height. At about 10' head height it's looking to get about 800gph. And at 15' about 400gph.

Your biggest enemy is the diameter. I would plug current 1/2" return and just run a 1" pipe up and over the tank rim. That's how I ran my 180g for many years using 1.5" PVC.

Either way I don't trust that flow meter.

 

[SeeFu]

i've already tried throwing out the 1/2" return and running a a 3/4 around the back of the tank. no change.

 

[SeeFu]

either way, it sounds like to much expense/work for to little gain on something that i dont really care to much about. i was just hoping it would be something simple to do with substantial gains.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

5 gal bucket test shows closer to 200gph

Sounds to me like the pump is just under performing - that pump is definitely capable of more throughput , even with 1/2in plumbing

Not sure if you saw my previous response, but just in case you didn't, make sure the pump isn't somehow set to underperform as part of a calibration.

Find it in your dashboard and click it. Then locate the Speed Adjust button, and make sure the sliders are set to 1% and 100%

Maybe they are adjusted to sometime lower than 100% - if not, then at a minimum , you can then rule that out as the issue

 

[DCR]

The problem is your plumbing is undersized. I would not expect a 3/4" line to carry much more than 300 gph with most any aquarium pump and the 1/2" connection is a further limitation. Replacing the pump with a larger pump will not help unless you go with much higher head (Iwaki - Pan World). You either need to open up another circuit - maybe over the top - or somehow increase your piping and connection to 1" if you want 500 gph.

 

[SeeFu]

Sounds to me like the pump is just under performing - that pump is definitely capable of more throughput , even with 1/2in plumbing

Not sure if you saw my previous response, but just in case you didn't, make sure the pump isn't somehow set to underperform as part of a calibration.

Find it in your dashboard and click it. Then locate the Speed Adjust button, and make sure the sliders are set to 1% and 100%

Maybe they are adjusted to sometime lower than 100% - if not, then at a minimum , you can then rule that out as the issue

i'm at 100%

 

[SeeFu]

The problem is your plumbing is undersized. I would not expect a 3/4" line to carry much more than 300 gph with most any aquarium pump and the 1/2" connection is a further limitation. Replacing the pump with a larger pump will not help unless you go with much higher head (Iwaki - Pan World). You either need to open up another circuit - maybe over the top - or somehow increase your piping and connection to 1" if you want 500 gph.

yea that's what i figured. i'm not going to worry about this anymore, my tank is doing just fine so just trying to nit pick at this point

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I push a Rubbermaid 2 quart container down in the Aquarium. Set my phone to Stopwatch. Have a helper push the button, When I say go, and setting the 2 quart below a nozzle. Stop when container hits 2 quart mark. Repeat 3 to 5 times, average the readings for my flow. Repeat for the other nozzles.