Flow ? When adding equipment to manifold

[moz71]

Please help me understand. So I have- 125 gal tank with sump. I have originally set this up with one return pump that splits to two returns and off of one I put 2 manifolds in case I ever wanted to use them. So after some time now I finally want to run a biopellet reactor off one of my manifolds and return back into sump. So now my question. Will this reduce the turnover from display? I believe it will. And if it does can I simply increase the flow from the pump to get turnover back up? I run a dc powered pump and it is only at half speed. But if I increase flow how will it balance out again. Will I need to add more water. I am confused on how this will work. Hope this makes sense.

 

[Ippyroy]

You would just increase the power to the return pump to make up for the flow going to the manifold. There would be no need to add more water. You will balance the flow between the manifold and the returns. It is super easy and simple.

 

[Brett S]

As @Ippyroy said, you can increase the speed of the pump to keep the amount of water going to the DT the same, however, depending on the size of the reactor you may need to top off your water a bit, simply because some water will be in the reactor.

For example, if the reactor holds a gallon of water then that gallon will come out of the sump chamber that holds your return pump. You can add another gallon of salt water to make up for that.

However, assuming you adjust the pump speed so the turnover through the display tank is the same then you won’t need to adjust the water level at all for that.

 

[Ippyroy]

I always turn on new equipment with a water change and change out media the same way. That way I can adjust the water level accordingly. If I need to change out carbon, I run 1 gallon through the reactor to rinse it, and remove 1 less gallon during the water change. When I empty my skimmer, I add that much extra water during the water change. In a larger system like yours I personally don't think this would be as important because your ATO would add more to level it out and dosing usually add salt.

 

[moz71]

I always turn on new equipment with a water change and change out media the same way. That way I can adjust the water level accordingly. If I need to change out carbon, I run 1 gallon through the reactor to rinse it, and remove 1 less gallon during the water change. When I empty my skimmer, I add that much extra water during the water change. In a larger system like yours I personally don't think this would be as important because your ATO would add more to level it out and dosing usually add salt.

As @Ippyroy said, you can increase the speed of the pump to keep the amount of water going to the DT the same, however, depending on the size of the reactor you may need to top off your water a bit, simply because some water will be in the reactor.

For example, if the reactor holds a gallon of water then that gallon will come out of the sump chamber that holds your return pump. You can add another gallon of salt water to make up for that.

However, assuming you adjust the pump speed so the turnover through the display tank is the same then you won’t need to adjust the water level at all for that.

Thank you both. I feel much better now. I was scared that I was going to throw the whole thing off so glad I now know I can easily rebalance.

 

[moz71]

Finally got to this and connected my biopellet reactor off a manifold and disconnected the separate pump for it. Wow. So easy should have done it awhile ago thanks