Sump Queries, pls advise

[typrobin]

hi all, i went to a few reefers' homes to take a look at their tanks and notice 1 thing about the sump....the picture below shows the more common method of connecting the overflow pipes and the return pump pipes.... red being the overflow pipe and blue shows the return pump pipe...

[hsloo]

What is the question?

[typrobin]

Dear Mods, very sorry, posted this on the wrong forum, pls helpl me shift it to somewhere that is suitable....thanks a million...

juz wondering if i can do it this way....my reason for doing it this way is to fully utilise the pump's flowrate. in the 1st pic, it shows that the return pump piping includes a lot of elbows and definitely longer distance as compared to the 2nd pic....

will there be any possible danger if the overflow pipe is done in the 2nd pic...

juz wondering wat is the pros and cons to the 2 different set up....pls advise....thanks...

[Zero Oxygen]

The second method require a slightly more powerful pump as to bring across longer distance that is about the pump level

Just need to regulate the flow rate of both

so not have any big difference

[Cedric]

I think the second pic is better. Reason being every 90 degree elbow can contribute up to / around 30% headloss. (cannot remember) The less elbow the pump has to push through, the better.

[Zero Oxygen]

Oops hehehe wrong wrong it is the first method require slightly more powerful pump as longer distance above pump level

[typrobin]

but my main concern is the overflow pipe in the 2nd pic....will there be any problems if it is done this way?? coz it really puzzles me y most tank makers make them according to the 1st pic instead of the 2nd pic...cost-wise, i think its about the same rite? won't cost them much more to make it according to my idea isn't it?

i suspect that the problem might be clogging of the overflow pipe, but can't visualize why and how can it happen....anyone can advise??

[Zero Oxygen]

hmmm icicic

Unless you are talking about having detris or chuck of watever kanna stuck at the bend area. It is quite possible as for the 2 bends.

Just to be safe, it is better to stick to the first design. Even there is things stuck there it is easier to remove.

[typrobin]

but if i use the 1st method, that means a stronger pump, which will in turn cost more and higher electricity bills too....aiyo....dilemma....

[Zero Oxygen]

Slightly stronger only, wont cost u alot more.....

you can toggle the flow down rate to suit your pump but try to maintain enough amount of flow rate for ur tank size lor

[ervine]

i think 2nd method better... the elbows in the return don't need to be elbows anyways, just buy a washing machine hose and hook it up to the overflow pipe.

Flexible and durable....

[mUAr_cHEe]

me using that 2nd pic design....

reason y got that weird elbows at bottom... cuz im thinking of hiding the pipe under the sand....

now testing for leakage.... dats y got some water... half-filled.. with power head running to prvgent mosquitoes breeding....

any comments??

[mUAr_cHEe]

this is the pic of the whole thing...

actinfg like a half-divider btwn living room and dining hall...

[yus75]

y ur piping design in main tank like tat???

[mUAr_cHEe]

the tank (5ft by 2ft by 3ft) is free from my uncle..

the holes are drilled when i first saw the tank...

anyway... its freee.... so not complaining...

then i juz had to make do with what i had.....

plus the fact my father wanted a "divider" tank... so if i left the pipe at where the hole its drilled... it will look rather awful...

as for the so many elbows end.... im aimming to hide the pipe under the sands... and proberly the protruding elbows under some LRs...

[typrobin]

i think u haf to becareful of your fishes being sucked into the overflow pipe...easiest method is to use a filter sponge to wrap around the hole and if possible cover it with eggcrate to prevent snails from crawling in...

[mUAr_cHEe]

intending to do so.... no worries.... me still in beginning stage...

now wait for my sump only... and my bottom plumbing... headache ahz... cant find pipe to fit my MD55....

oops.... jus realize im hijacking this thread... =P

[typrobin]

since no one objects to my idea, then i'll juz do it....

hope i won't come home one day and see my house flooded....

[RAV-65]

if u intend to use any sponge or netting to cover the overflow pipe, do take care that u clean it often... as the drbris, deritus, uneaten food would get stuck there to obstruct flow... end up u'll have water flowing slowly into the sump and the main tank might overflow.... a good method for overflows would be to have the overflow pipe shorter and have eggcrats at the top of the overflow compartment where u lay your filter element, so dat water without debris flow into the overflow and into the overflow pipe....

Vincent Ho