Tuning Water Flow

[ReefKeeperElite]

Any thoughts on smoothing out this return pump flow curve, or is this expected? I have 2 Vectra M2’s, which follow the daily flow rate chart shown below:

I adjusted the drain gate valve precisely:

If I close it further by 1/8th of a turn, the overflow water level eventually rises to the top where the emergency drain starts being used.

If I open it further by 1/8th of a turn, the overflow water level eventually drops to where air begins to enter the drain.

The sump return chamber water level stays within a centimeter:

I have two optical sensors which trigger the ATO in the morning as the pump speeds increase from midnight to noon.

The water level goes to the middle of the sensors as the pump speed decrease from noon to midnight.

Any help appreciated.

 

[DC Reefer]

Not sure what you are trying to do? Is your concern that your flow fluctuates by 10gph during the day? I run a single speed pump which is pushing 600 gph and I get about 10 gph fluctuation throughout the day also.

 

[ReefKeeperElite]

Not sure what you are trying to do? Is your concern that your flow fluctuates by 10gph during the day? I run a single speed pump which is pushing 600 gph and I get about 10 gph fluctuation throughout the day also.

Trying to understand what is causing this phenomena, if it is expected, and if not expected, what should be done to make the flow more consistent.

It does change my salinity a bit as well, so it would be nice to understand it from that perspective.

Have you ever been interested in why it happens to your flow, or have you always just accepted it?