[Poseidon]

Your Welcome!

[charlie]

Originally Posted by Fish R.Ph.

Okay, next weekend I build the 1.25". I'd like to have all the plumbing running well, and the cycling begun by Thanksgiving when all the family comes over....

Scott, Mike, Charlie, & Rocky thanks for all you input on this project! If you're ever up in Central MA I've got a cold one waiting for ya in the fridge!!

God bless,

Jason

Glad to hear ya got a plan. We are gonna have to wait on the cold one, and why put it in the fridge? I'll just throw it outside in the 2-3" of snow we just got last nite!!! Hope all goes well, and you definitly know where to find some help!

[ldrhawke]

I've read the whole thread and see no where you talk about how high the pipe is? It looks like it is almost the same height as the over flow. Have you tired to shorten the durso over flow pipe a couple of inches?

The only energy head that the over flow pipe see is the height of the water over the top of it. The bigger the distance between the tank over flow level and the over flow level of the durso, the more flow you will beable to get through the durso pipe.

I would make the durso pipe a couple of inches shorter and see if that allow you to increase the flow first.

[Fish R.Ph.]

Originally Posted by ldrhawke

I've read the whole thread and see no where you talk about how high the pipe is? It looks like it is almost the same height as the over flow. Have you tired to shorten the durso over flow pipe a couple of inches?

The only energy head that the over flow pipe see is the height of the water over the top of it. The bigger the distance between the tank over flow level and the over flow level of the durso, the more flow you will beable to get through the durso pipe.

I would make the durso pipe a couple of inches shorter and see if that allow you to increase the flow first.

That makes sense. The plan I used to construct the durso didn't really talk about the height too much, only that the very top of the pipe, above the 90 degree elbow, should be about even with the top rim of the tank. I suppose I could lower the "T" and elbow, and lengthen the pipe above the elbow, and give that a shot. I have all the material already at least!

I'll give it a shot tomorrow am or pm, and let y'all know the outcome.

By the way, congratulations ldrhawke, on your awesome tank . I enjoyed reading about it this month!

-Jason

[ldrhawke]

Originally Posted by Fish R.Ph.

That makes sense. The plan I used to construct the durso didn't really talk about the height too much, only that the very top of the pipe, above the 90 degree elbow, should be about even with the top rim of the tank. I suppose I could lower the "T" and elbow, and lengthen the pipe above the elbow, and give that a shot. I have all the material already at least!

I'll give it a shot tomorrow am or pm, and let y'all know the outcome.

By the way, congratulations ldrhawke, on your awesome tank . I enjoyed reading about it this month!

-Jason

Thanks.....

I mean drop the height of the top of the complete durso a couple of inches below the height of your tank over flow to add additional pressure head to the durso. By the way the durso asembly doesn't need to be gluded when put together. You can just fit it together by hand without glue. If it leaks it only leaks into the drain. Makes it easier to make small adjustments.

[Fish R.Ph.]

Originally Posted by ldrhawke

Thanks.....

I mean drop the height of the top of the complete durso a couple of inches below the height of your tank over flow to add additional pressure head to the durso. By the way the durso asembly doesn't need to be gluded when put together. You can just fit it together by hand without glue. If it leaks it only leaks into the drain. Makes it easier to make small adjustments.

Well, I didn't read this last post before making my alterations. But I think it did the trick!!! I dropped the location of the elbow by 25%. The pvc pipe coming up from the overflow is now 12 inches, and the pvc pipe leaving the "T" and going up to the top of the tank is 6 inches.

I now have both the ball valves completely open, the water is flowing freely, no loud gushing or sucking sound...its awesome!!!

I took a couple quick pictures to show how it now looks. Please ignore the plastic wrap around the top of the durso pipe. I had gone "drill crazy" putting holes in the cap earlier, trying to fix my problem, and only making it worse. :slap:

I will replace the durso cap this week. I would like to be able to add some kind of adapter to control the air flow into the hole, as this seems to effect the water level in the overflow. Maybe a valve like the kind on a protein skimmer, with a little piece of vinyl tubing siliconed in place???

Anyway, I am just thrilled it is working as it should. I'll admit I am not entirely sure "why" this worked, as the water level in the overflow doesn't seem to be high enough to be resulting in more pressure. But at the moment, it is working great, and I am grateful for the advice!

God bless,

Jason

[Reefland]

Originally Posted by Fish R.Ph.

I now have both the ball valves completely open, the water is flowing freely, no loud gushing or sucking sound...its awesome!!!

Just a note, never restrict the pumps input, only the output if you need to control the flow from a pump. It is said that restricting the input is harder on the pump and may result in premature failure.

[Fish R.Ph.]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Just a note, never restrict the pumps input, only the output if you need to control the flow from a pump. It is said that restricting the input is harder on the pump and may result in premature failure.

At the moment I don't have any direct plumbing connected to the pump's intake opening. The ball valves are located between the output plumbing and the return to the tank. Does this sound right?

The Mag 9 did come with a foam "pre-filter" that can be attached to the intake. Do most people use this?

Thanks again to all. This whole web site proves the old Proverb that "in the multitude of counselors there is safety".

Thanks to all my reef-counselors!!!

-Jason

[Reefland]

Hi Jason,

Sounds like you have your ball valves in the right place. I wouldn't use the sponge for the pump unless you plan to clean it very frequently.

[Poseidon]

Yee Haa!!! Way to go. GLad it all worked out for you, looks like the Dr in the group got you all fixed up!