Increase flow threw bulkhead

[kngfisher]

Does anyone know how or had to mod their overflow to increase the flow from the main tank to the sump?

 

I have a 90gal RR with 3 sided overflow and two bulkheads (fill 1" and drain 1.5"). The drain has a dorso standpipe made from 1.5" PVC and the PVC from the 1.5" bulkhead is also made from 1.5" PVC (no bends except were it meets the water level of the 29gal sump where I have a 1.5" Long Sweep 90. The problem is that my pump Eheim 1262 is feeding much more water from the sump to the main tank than the overflow can handle. To prevent this, I have a 3/4" line from the pump to the 1" bulkhead and then a 3/4" fill out the top over the overflow split to 2 lines w/nozels pointing at each front corner of the tank. I also have a ball valve on the fill line ~12" above the pump (before the bulkhead) but I have to turn it only about a 1/3 open or water starts cascading over the top of the overflow rather than threw the notches. Anyone else have this problem?

 

setup

29gal sump (30 x 12

[kngfisher]

Ok, I have an idea...

 

Use fill as a send drain and then use something like the "customFlo" by pentar aqatics (http://www.pentairaquatics.com/products/detail/customflo.html) for retuning water from the sump to the main tank. would this work?

 

current

1.5" dorso -> 1.5" bulkhead -> 1.5" PVC drain -> sump

sump -> Ehiem 1262 pump -> 3/4" pvc -> 1" bulkhead -> 3/4" fill -> 3/4" loc-line -> Loc-Line 3/4in Y Fitting -> two Loc-Line 3/4in Round Nozzls

 

proposed

1.5" dorso -> 1.5" bulkhead -> 1.5" PVC drain -> sump

1.25" dorso -> 1" bulkhead -> 1" PVC drain -> sump

sump -> Ehiem 1262 pump -> "customFlo"

 

Any thougts?

[JC Pollman]

One alternative is to put a T on the output of the pump. The extra output from the T goes through a ball valve and then back to the sump. That way you are bleeding off the excess pressure back to the sump.

[RudyCDX1]

I use both bulkheads in my tank as drains from my tank. I then plumb the return from my sump externally on the back of the tank. Basically it is what you are proposing in your second post. IMHO there are major benefits to this method. 1) Safety backup on the overflow water. The two outbound stand pipes should be at different heights. The lower one will take 99% of the water to the sump. If this gets clogged your taller overflow stand pipe will take the load AND make a loud gurggling noise to tell you that the shorter pipe is clogged i.e.. snail. Put a flow control valve on the shorter main return to controll the flow rate and noise.

 

As for the return from the pump, your idea is again right on. I would do it just a bit differently as you can go to Lowes and purchase garden hose connectors; male, female and "Y" fittings in 3/4 inch size that will cost you a fraction of the price of the Custom Flo. I have this exact set up on my system and it works perfectly and cost me less than $10. Use some thread tape and you are all set.

 

To get the water over the backside of the tank Lowes also sells inground lawn sprinkler system supplies and I have put together a retrun system that very safely hangs on the back of my tank while maintaining maximum flow.

 

I hope the pictures help. If you would like to see this first hand just let me know. You are welcome to stop by to see for yourself.

 

 

 

Rudy

[kngfisher]

yes, if I could see things 1st hand, that would be a big help. Also talking to someone face to face is alot quicker than my typing.

 

what is your avalability this weekend, I live in the tysons coner area.

[RudyCDX1]

Give me a call.........703-476-8876.

 

Rudy

[kngfisher]

will call sunday.....today just flew by.