Tank Drain Info Needed

MJREEFING · Mar 8, 2018

Hi all,

I have a few questions regarding my tank drain. I very new to this so be patient with me.

Here is what I have...
My 100 gallon tank is upstairs and all my equipment is in the basement. I'm utilizing a Durso type drain with 1-1/2 piping from the tank to my Rollermat to my sump. To get my drain to stay quiet I have to chock it down to 520 GPH. I want to able to run more GPH but of coarse I can't with all the noise it puts out. I'm also not able to use the Herbie type setup since I only have one side drilled and sectioned off. I have plenty of return with me using the Hammerhead Hybrid. This pump can either put out 4500 or 6000 depending on which propeller I use. The pump is currently powering my reactor and skimmer along with my tank. I know the Rollermat can only handle around 600 GPH but I might unhook that anyway with an issue am having with that.( talk about that later)

Should I be reducing the pipe size down some as it get closer to the sump or Rollermat and if so do you think this would help? Any advice you can give will be helpful, I don't mind changing things as I'm not ready for livestock yet.

As far as the Rollermat...
The unit seems to be working correctly other than when the roll gets dirty and the water increases in the holding tank. What is doing is increase the water but its pulling water from my sump so I'm not able to use the ATO...looking for info here as well.

I will attach pics but sorry for the mess as I'm not finished yet.

Also, The big piping in the fish room is for my upstairs bathrooms.

Brew12 · Mar 9, 2018

Can you describe what exactly the noise issue is? Is the system "flushing" or is it making a waterfall sound?

MJREEFING · Mar 9, 2018

Well its been about three weeks since I've started the process and can't really remember. I know when I open the valve up anymore than it is it makes a knocking noise. I tried to put a hose in the top hole with a air regulator but didn't make a difference. Even know with it choked down it doesn't seem to regulate my water up or down, so I just have the hole open.

I want to be able to open it all they way up and control the flow with my return.
On long runs should I step the piping down some?
My return is 1-1/2 all the up till it comes thru the floor under my take, then it goes to 1".

Brew12 · Mar 9, 2018

MJREEFING said:
Well its been about three weeks since I've started the process and can't really remember. I know when I open the valve up anymore than it is it makes a knocking noise. I tried to put a hose in the top hole with a air regulator but didn't make a difference. Even know with it choked down it doesn't seem to regulate my water up or down, so I just have the hole open.

I want to be able to open it all they way up and control the flow with my return.
On long runs should I step the piping down some?
My return is 1-1/2 all the up till it comes thru the floor under my take, then it goes to 1".

So you have a 1" bulkhead on the tank then? The standard flow through a 1" Durso is only 600GPH so it sounds like you are near that limit now. It is best to not step pipe size up in a Durso drain so you may have a little room to increase flow if you replace that piping. When I ran a Durso I used 1 1/2" PVC in the overflow, had a 1" bulkhead and used 1" PVC the rest of the way down.

MJREEFING · Mar 9, 2018

I have a 1-1/2" bulkhead for my drain and 1-1/2 pipe all the way to my Rollermat or sump.
So on the drain I have 1-1/2 Durso and 1-1/2 pipe.

I have a 1" bulkhead on my return side.
1-1/2 pipe from my pump till it comes thru the floor then it goes to 1" pipe and bulkhead.

How do you think I can get more flow. Would the Herbie be the only other option?

Brew12 · Mar 9, 2018

MJREEFING said:
I have a 1-1/2" bulkhead for my drain and 1-1/2 pipe all the way to my Rollermat or sump.
So on the drain I have 1-1/2 Durso and 1-1/2 pipe.

I have a 1" bulkhead on my return side.
1-1/2 pipe from my pump till it comes thru the floor then it goes to 1" pipe and bulkhead.

How do you think I can get more flow. Would the Herbie be the only other option?

Sorry, I missed that. I thought your drain was 1".

You should be able to get more flow with a 1 1/2" Durso as long as it is 1 1/2" the entire way. It should handle over 1000gph.

Does your Durso drain end open up around 2" underwater?

MJREEFING · Mar 9, 2018

The Durso is made up of all 1-1/2 pipe

Brew12 · Mar 9, 2018

MJREEFING said:
The Durso is made up of all 1-1/2 pipe

And you are getting a knocking sound? Is the pipe vibrating and hitting something?

It could have something to do with the Durso being directed into the roller mat. That is a setup I haven't seen before.

MJREEFING · Mar 9, 2018

looks just like this one including all the holes, but I made it all myself with 1-1/2 pipe

Brew12 · Mar 9, 2018

I just noticed something in your picture... it looks like you are throttling flow on your drain with the valve on your drain. You want your drain valve fully open and throttle flow of the return using a valve or variable speed pump.