PVC piping and flow rates...

[Dom]

Let's say that X represents a volume of water that moves through a 1" piece of PVC piping in an hour.

Will the same volume of water move through 2 pieces of 1/2 PVC in the same time?

Dom

 

[Peace River]

I don't think so. If I remember right a 1" pipe carries about 3 times as much water as a 1/2" pipe using the same pump. Hopefully someone else will jump in and support or disagree soon.

 

[lapin]

Let's say that X represents a volume of water that moves through a 1" piece of PVC piping in an hour.

Will the same volume of water move through 2 pieces of 1/2 PVC in the same time?

Dom

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Water Flow Volume for a given pipe size based on charts, tables, formula, nomograph, & experience.

flexpvc.com

 

[WVNed]

a half inch pipe has 1/4th the cross section of a 1 inch pipe.
so 2 1/2 inch pipes equal 1/2 of a one inch pipe.

 

[Dom]

a half inch pipe has 1/4th the cross section of a 1 inch pipe.
so 2 1/2 inch pipes equal 1/2 of a one inch pipe.

So (4) 1/2inch pipes will have the same flow as (1) 1inch pipe?

 

[WVNed]

So (4) 1/2inch pipes will have the same flow as (1) 1inch pipe?

4 1/2 inch pipes will have the same cross sectional area as a 1 inch pipe. Flow is a little more complicated.
I dont know.

 

[Peace River]

So (4) 1/2inch pipes will have the same flow as (1) 1inch pipe?

If you look at the chart that @lapin posted then it shows that the difference at low flow is about double and for high flow is nearly triple.

 

[Dom]

If you look at the chart that @lapin posted then it shows that the difference at low flow is about double and for high flow is nearly triple.

I saw that chart. I don't mind saying that I found it difficult to understand.

 

[WVNed]

It might be easier if you told us why you are asking this.

In the chart the second green column is flow in a drain (gravity) in gallons per hour
the second yellow column is what you would get on a return with a pump (some pressure)

 

[Dom]

It might be easier if you told us why you are asking this.

In the chart the second green column is flow in a drain (gravity) in gallons per hour
the second yellow column is what you would get on a return with a pump (some pressure)

I'm planning a new build.

It is going to be an All-In-One. Black acrylic sheets are going to siliconed in to create 2 chambers, one on each side of a 48" tank.

I am going to connect these chambers with PVC piping under the sand bed of the display so that I can maintain a symmetrical appearance to the tank.

I want to use 1/2 PVC as it will be easy to hide in the substrate. So if I want the flow equal to that of a 1 inch pipe, I calculate that I would need 4 pieces of 1/2 PVC.

Agreed?

 

[WVNed]

How does water get into these chambers. If you simply want to balance the levels in them 1 1/2 inch pipe would probably be enough
Is there some reason you need high flow between them? If you are going to move water from one side to the other then yes do 4. I might do 6. I almost always plumb double the flow possible.

I have 4 1.5 inch drains on my tank but only 2 are doing anything. The other 2 are just in case something gets plugged.

 

[madweazl]

What is the reason for connecting the chambers? What is the purpose of the chambers? While I like symmetry, adding chambers to the inside of the tank, robs you of valuable space IN THE TANK. If you have a legitimate need for two, so be it but do not add a second chamber for aesthetics when it could be used for corals/anemones/fish.

 

[Jay Z]

Interested to see this in action!

 

[Goodair]

Are these chamber for your overflow, or for some other purpose? Seems like there is no benefit from interconnecting them, least cant think of one.