Plumbing help

[Gowyn]

Hello all.

Have just set up my tank, it’s a 120gallon cube with the sump in the basement.

Having a heck of a time keeping it tuned!

So general overlay, tank originally had a 1.5” Durso with 1” return line, centre rear over flow box, bulkheads in the bottom.

I shortened the 1.5” and left the Durso fittings making it a full siphon, about 6” below water line. I turned the 1” line into an emergency overflow and ran return lines up the rear of the tank.

The 1.5” is gated below the tank running down into the basement where a ball valve directs 75% to the skimmer and 25% to the Fuge.

I’m using two COR15/20 return pumps, each feeds it’s own return line into the tank. The COR20 can also run the manifold.

What I’m having issue with I’m only running the pumps at about 50% giving me approx 500gph through the tank which is about where I want it. Thing is the 1.5” gate valve is almost closed with a slight trickle down the overflow. I can get it nice and quiet but if the pumps are shut off or changed speed all bets are off. Usually tanks settle down but not this one. The level never rises about the 1.5” Durso.

To top it off in the basement where it should split between 75/25% it rushes out the Fuge side.

I’m thinking the 1.5” line is too big.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[CC13]

Hello all.

Have just set up my tank, it’s a 120gallon cube with the sump in the basement.

Having a heck of a time keeping it tuned!

So general overlay, tank originally had a 1.5” Durso with 1” return line, centre rear over flow box, bulkheads in the bottom.

I shortened the 1.5” and left the Durso fittings making it a full siphon, about 6” below water line. I turned the 1” line into an emergency overflow and ran return lines up the rear of the tank.

The 1.5” is gated below the tank running down into the basement where a ball valve directs 75% to the skimmer and 25% to the Fuge.

I’m using two COR15/20 return pumps, each feeds it’s own return line into the tank. The COR20 can also run the manifold.

What I’m having issue with I’m only running the pumps at about 50% giving me approx 500gph through the tank which is about where I want it. Thing is the 1.5” gate valve is almost closed with a slight trickle down the overflow. I can get it nice and quiet but if the pumps are shut off or changed speed all bets are off. Usually tanks settle down but not this one. The level never rises about the 1.5” Durso.

To top it off in the basement where it should split between 75/25% it rushes out the Fuge side.

I’m thinking the 1.5” line is too big.

Thoughts anyone?

That's a really nice little setup you have there.

In my opinion, the 1.5" return piping is too large. I have two 1.5" overflows with 1.5" piping and I have a difficult time keeping it tuned also. From what I have read, its better to go with a 1" pipe and have the gate valve almost all the way open when tuned as opposed to going with slightly larger 1.5" pipe and having the gate valve more on the closed side. Tbh, by overflow isn't dead silent, but I also don't get the 'gurgling' noise. I get a slightly water fall noise and I don't mind it its actually pretty relaxing.

Also make sure that the piping that enters the sump is not too far under the water of it gets hard for the air to clear the line if the power turns off. I keep mine no more than 1" below the water line.

 

[Gowyn]

Yes thank you, you confirmed what I was suspecting.

I did however have some success.

Issue one the Durso; as I suspected because the original fitting had a hole drilled in the top for venting the flow was never enough to overwhelm it. I just removed the fitting altogether, just straight pipe for now.

Issue two was a little tougher. Because I had two (split from one) returns the one leading into the fuge was actually above the waterline. Now this is where it's supposed to be, problem is when the pumps come back on the water takes the path of least resistance and that was it. The other 1.5" end was about one inch below the water line. Anyway, moved the fuge end down so that there is barely an air break. Success.

Shut down and restarted several times and this seems to be sorted however, I may switch the lines around and have the 1" be the return and the 1.5" emergency. Another day perhaps.

Thanks

 

[ShinerMaginer]

Wow, cool setup!