[James]

Anyone know where I can get a stand pipe for my new 50 gal. tank (single center built-in overflow), or how to make one? Another question is, do they really make a difference in noise reduction?(no Niagra Falls), and are they safe to use, no flooding problems? This tank will be my first using a sump and I want to try to do it right the first time.
I decide to go with a mag 9.5 return to a scwd, is there a chance this could be too much pressure for a scwd or too much water flow for a 50 gal tank? maybe I should go with the mag 7??? Any suggestions?

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by James

Anyone know where I can get a stand pipe for my new 50 gal. tank (single center built-in overflow), or how to make one?

If you are in anyway handy, you can probably make your own standpipe setup. Check www.dursostandpipes.com for details on what they look like, but essentially, think of a vertical pipe, with a T piece in it at the level you want the water to be, and that T piece connects to a L piece pointing down. Cap the top of the pipe, put a small hole in it to control the airflow, and you are pretty much all set.

Another question is, do they really make a difference in noise reduction?(no Niagra Falls),

Most of the Niagara falls effect comes from the drop that most overflows induce - the drain hole is at the bottom of the overflow, and the water enters the overflow 15" higher - splash !! - The standpipe essentially raises the water level in the overflow area up, reducing the splashing noise.

and are they safe to use, no flooding problems? This tank will be my first using a sump and I want to try to do it right the first time.

Any time you have an overflow, you have a risk of flooding...the standpipe itself probably wont be the problem. Make sure the overflow is rated for a higher flow than your return pump, and then make sure your return pump's hose has a small hole just at the water level to break the siphon in the event of a power outage. The overflow itself will stop overflowing once the water level in the tank itself drops below the overflow level, and if the return pump is not pushing water back into the tank, this will happen relatively quickly - make sure your sump has enough capacity to cope with this eventuality - my 75g uses a 15g sump, and the overflow will put about 4 gallons into the sump before stopping when the return pump is stopped. I run my sump about half full (about 8 gallons, so when this happens, the sump fills to about 80%. That make sense ?

I decide to go with a mag 9.5 return to a scwd, is there a chance this could be too much pressure for a scwd or too much water flow for a 50 gal tank? maybe I should go with the mag 7???

Mag 9.5 seems a little much for a 55 - at a 5ft head (pushing the water back up to the main tank), that pushes something around 750Gph...that means you'd want an 800GPH minimum overflow setup. A Mag 7 will push 425 at 5ft, probably much more manageable from the overflow standpoint. I've no idea what effect the SCWD will have - I know a few around here use them tho, someone will chime in

Any suggestions?

Oh...we have all sorts of suggestions

Steve

[James]

Thanks steve, you answered alot. Thanks for the standpipe web site, that helped alot, it looks pretty basic to make one, i'll give it a shot.
As far as the return pump, I guess I never thought to ask the store where I bought the tank from about the flow rate of the built-in overflow, duh.
Thanks again for your advice

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by James

Thanks steve, you answered alot. Thanks for the standpipe web site, that helped alot, it looks pretty basic to make one, i'll give it a shot.
As far as the return pump, I guess I never thought to ask the store where I bought the tank from about the flow rate of the built-in overflow, duh.
Thanks again for your advice

Do you know what make the tank is ?

Steve

[James]

it says "clear for life" on it.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by James

it says "clear for life" on it.

http://www.clearforlife.com/cfldeluxe.html ?

[aquadoc]

Mag 7 seems a little more sensable. The scwd can break if too mutch flow is put through them.

As far as quiteing the overflow the best design so far is the one I currently use. I use them on both of my overflow boxes. They make the biggest difference, espeacially when you are trying to watch a movie, sleep, or when you are looking for some piece and quiet( it make a difference when you have 1600 gph+ flowing through your system.)

I am going to post some pics of this model in up comeing days(sat/sun).

As far as flooding problems the only problem I have ever come across with flooding is the return line syphoning water back into the sump. That problem was fixed with a flapping check valve(no metal parts). So when my system shuts down the water stops flowing instantly.

In the event of an emergency, and the water was to theoreticly keep flowing, I drilled a 3/4'' hole in the side of the sump, and connected an emergency tube to flow to the emergency resivoir.(just in case, in slatwater you can never be to sure.)

I hope some of this was helpfull

Aquadoc

[James]

Originally Posted by SteveP

http://www.clearforlife.com/cfldeluxe.html ?

Same tank, different setup.
Mine is being drilled and having a 1200gph center overflow installed right now. Cost = tank and overflow installed $270.00 plus tax. The store owner is giving me a used stand and canopy (though they don't look used) for free . I should get it back next Tuesday My fish are looking foward to a new home
All except a nasty Green Dragon Wrasse! I just haven't been able to catch him. He has been terrorizing my tank! Nipping at my Scooter Blenny , spitting sand at my Sleeper Goby , eating my Hermit crabs , tossing my starfish about , and lately he has taken it apon himself to redecorate my tank! Tossing my Green Elegance around , destroying my Tree Leather frags , and digging huge holes everywhere.
My girlfriend says "Maybe he's just bored... "
I've been patient, but enough already, he's history. I did find out that his other common name is "Rockmover Wrasse"...how fitting.

Dragon Wrasse: cool looking fish, but a pain in the @$$.

[James]

Originally Posted by aquadoc

Mag 7 seems a little more sensable. The scwd can break if too mutch flow is put through them.

As far as quiteing the overflow the best design so far is the one I currently use. I use them on both of my overflow boxes. They make the biggest difference, espeacially when you are trying to watch a movie, sleep, or when you are looking for some piece and quiet( it make a difference when you have 1600 gph+ flowing through your system.)

I am going to post some pics of this model in up comeing days(sat/sun).

As far as flooding problems the only problem I have ever come across with flooding is the return line syphoning water back into the sump. That problem was fixed with a flapping check valve(no metal parts). So when my system shuts down the water stops flowing instantly.

In the event of an emergency, and the water was to theoreticly keep flowing, I drilled a 3/4'' hole in the side of the sump, and connected an emergency tube to flow to the emergency resivoir.(just in case, in slatwater you can never be to sure.)

I hope some of this was helpfull

Aquadoc

Thanks Aquadoc , I'm looking foward to your pix. I like the emergency resivoir idea, I just don't think I have the room for it. The store owner I bought the tank from is giving me a cabinet stand and canopy for free, but I don't think the cabinet will have enough room for an extra tank. But, thinking of taking your idea and installing a drain just above the waterline in the sump and a drain hose leading outside. might work.

[specter]

Originally Posted by James

I decide to go with a mag 9.5 return to a scwd, is there a chance this could be too much pressure for a scwd or too much water flow for a 50 gal tank? maybe I should go with the mag 7??? Any suggestions?

This guy plumbed a closed loop on a 29gal with a Mag7 powered SCWD
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com...losedloop.html
Im starting a 40+30gal setup with a Mag3 cirulating between the two tanks and a Mag9.5 on a SCWD closed loop. If I happen to find an animal that isn't liking the flow, I can always move him to a calmer place in the tank, provided I make the possibility for one in the first place.
Here's where you can see some numbers:
http://www.3iqventures.com/literature.html
Hope this helps some...it did for me, anyway......

[specter]

However, you could use a Mag5 or 7 and put an eductor from http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/...etail/iid/9846 on the outlet and get even more flow (five times) from a smaller pump (something that gets my interest at least)