Quick plumbing question

[seastar]

I have a 75gal RR tank with a left side over flow. I'm using the herbie overflow method for a little added safety (meaning what should be both my outlet and my inlet are being used as outlets and I have a separate PVC return.

Currently I have that return near the left side as well. During a feeding today (used flake a a little more than normal because I wanted to see the tank flow) I noticed that nearly none of it was exiting the tank, it just kept going in circles until it settled on the bottom.

Now finally for my question, with a left side overflow, is it best to have a right side return?

 

[twilliard]

I always have my return and supply on different sides of the tank

 

[iReef86]

I dont agree or disagree. Its all about how your flow is aimed. Its hard to explain, you can usually see the film on top of the water after a couple of ours if your overflow is not pulling water appropriately. Aiming your flow so that water is being pushed away from the overflow can lead to not being pulled out.

 

[seastar]

@twilliard thank you, I guess other than the expense of some new PVC it can't hurt me to at least try.

I dont agree or disagree. Its all about how your flow is aimed. Its hard to explain, you can usually see the film on top of the water after a couple of ours if your overflow is not pulling water appropriately. Aiming your flow so that water is being pushed away from the overflow can lead to not being pulled out.

I definitely don't have any film so we're good there! I have 2 Jaebo RW-8's on either side making sure I have plenty of surface agitation and the alternate blowing in each direction and I also think that is playing into things.

I had an idea as well! I can force my protein skimmer into causing ton of micro-bubbles (they return into the tank) and that helps me get an idea where things are flowing and sure enough, I am getting this sort of looping effect right before the waste gate and not nearly the flow out that I would like.

 

[bobman]

What size return pump are you using. Flow out will equal flow in. As far as things just blowing around the tank till it settles at the bottom tells me you dont have enough flow at the bottom. The goal is to keep everything suspended in the water column and it will find its way to the overflow sooner or later or get eaten by a fish. Then the little hat does settle a good clean up crew will take care of that. Adding to much food to the tank to see circulation is not a good idea and if your skimmer is causing microbubbles thats not good either. You dont want micro bubbles making it back into the tank. However sounds like a new skimmer so maybe will take care of itself after it breaks in.

 

[seastar]

What size return pump are you using. Flow out will equal flow in. As far as things just blowing around the tank till it settles at the bottom tells me you dont have enough flow at the bottom. The goal is to keep everything suspended in the water column and it will find its way to the overflow sooner or later or get eaten by a fish. Then the little hat does settle a good clean up crew will take care of that. Adding to much food to the tank to see circulation is not a good idea and if your skimmer is causing microbubbles thats not good either. You dont want micro bubbles making it back into the tank. However sounds like a new skimmer so maybe will take care of itself after it breaks in.

I have a Jaebo DC-6000 which claims 1,585 at max. I have been running it at the 3rd setting (of 6) meaning I think I was getting roughly 790gph. I just actually lowered it to 2 so I'm thinking I'm around 523gph on a 75gal DT + 30gal sump, slightly over 5x turnover.

I also just lowered my wave makers and directed them slightly up and I think this is helping things out a ton.

 

[bobman]

I would run the return at a minimum of 6 and honestly I would crank it all the way up. Reason I like about 10X minimum turnover which would be 6 in a perfect world but this is not a perfect world. You have to account for head loss which depending on how the tank is plumbed can be substantial. What kind of skimmer do you have and how is your sump setup?

 

[seastar]

I have a skimmer that gets great review but Im hating so far as I still can't get it dialed in. It's a knock-off of a knock-off from what I've read but they have kind of a cult following. Anyway it's the SCA-302 180, the newest version. Im attaching my sump/refugium. It's the Eshopps R-200, Gen 3 (newest model also). My notes here are from a post in another thread as I was trying to tackle micro-bubbles.

 

[bobman]

Looking up your skimmer I have no experience with it but seems like it would be a decent skimmer. The sump looks well build and has a bubble trap built in so with that said as far as micro bubbles it should clear itself up after the skimmer breaks in. I would noot care for the 7" of water depth in the return chamber personally but hey with a ato you be fine.

All in all your setup appears sound. I would just try to keep the crap in the tank suspended in the water column by playing with power heads and turn up the flow a little and once the skimmer breaks in I think you will be golden.

 

[seastar]

Thank you @bobman, this has been very helpful.

 

[Trex]

I just reset up my 75 (( Reef Ready, left side overflow )) at my soon to be mother in law's place (( we will be moving soon, and homeless while the new place is being built, this will hold what livestock I plan on keeping )).

Anyways, I did a Herbie and put the return on the right hand side. I didn't bond the final PVC elbow to the other pieces so that I can direct the flow where it suits the tank best. I tend to keep the flow from the return pump on the slower side --- longer contact time with my sump, and provide intank flow with powerheads.