Is this pushing it too much?

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by Redbeard, May 4, 2006.

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  1. Redbeard

    Redbeard Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2004
    Messages:
    92
    Location:
    Mesa, AZ,Arizona
    Finally got some water flowing! ;D Now I'm wondering if I'm pushing the limits of the overflow a bit. The water comes right up to the top of the slits in the overflows. Is this where it should be? Should it be a little lower to allow for some buildup of algae etc.? I've never done anything quite like this before, it makes me nervous. :-/

    I did install a bypass in case I miscalculated the total head but with it closed off completely it looks like the pump is pushing the overflows right at capacity.

    Let me see if I can figure out how to put a picture here. Sorry about the photography, Santa hasn't brought around a digicam yet.

    [​IMG]

    Well anyway, your comments would be very much appreciated.
    Thanks.
    Ted

    edit: no picture?
    http://www.3reef.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/1800/cat/500/ppuser/8903
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2006
    Redbeard, May 4, 2006
    Redbeard, May 4, 2006
    #1

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  2. rickzter

    rickzter Torch Coral

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2005
    Messages:
    1,197
    Your return might be making your OF work a little overtime. You can try adjusting the water flow of the OF and see if that brings down the water level. To slow the speed of the return, bypass valve is necessary.

    The level at the slits of the OF depends on you. The higher the OF, the higher the water level, etc. The speed at which the OF sucks in the water to the filter depends on the speed of your return pump.
     
    rickzter, May 4, 2006
    rickzter, May 4, 2006
    #2
  3. coral reefer

    coral reefer Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2006
    Messages:
    4,860
    Location:
    Wonderland
    How strong a pump are you using for your return? I am using a Mag7. Really don't need to go stronger than that.
     
    coral reefer, May 4, 2006
    coral reefer, May 4, 2006
    #3
  4. Redbeard

    Redbeard Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2004
    Messages:
    92
    Location:
    Mesa, AZ,Arizona
    How do you adjust the OF? The tank came with the AGA Mega Flow kits. There's no valves or anything on them, they just drain out the bottom through 1 inch barbed bulkheads. I used adapters to run two 1 1/4 pvc pipes to the sump. You can move the stand pipes up and down but as near as I can tell all that does is change the water level in the OF box. Is that what you're talking about? Would there be some advantage to lowering the level in the OF box?

    TIA
    Ted
     
    Redbeard, May 4, 2006
    Redbeard, May 4, 2006
    #4
  5. Redbeard

    Redbeard Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2004
    Messages:
    92
    Location:
    Mesa, AZ,Arizona
    Oh, I was going for all I could get. LOL
    I guess my calcs were right on the money, sending the max the tank is rated for back to the tank. :)

    I guess my question was is that safe? Or is that a goal many people shoot for? I can see myself waking up in the middle of the night and grabbing a brush to go make sure all the slits are wide open? LOL

    Ted
     
    Redbeard, May 4, 2006
    Redbeard, May 4, 2006
    #5