possible xenia filter

I just got a new pump that is rated at 2000gph. In order to use this pump I would have to dial it down so the overflow can keep up, so I would have to dump the remaining flow right back into the sump/fuge. this will give me too much flow for the fuge. So I was thinking I could turn the existing fuge into a xenia filter and add a rubbermaid or two(one for fuge and one for skimmer) that is fed with existing pump and gravity fed back to sump/xenia filter. here is my attempt at drawing my plans. 1st pic is existing, 2nd is proposed. Let me know what you guys think. by the way, all of this is under the stairway behind DT, so I have plenty of room. Also do you think this could be too much flow for the xenia. I think it will be about 2000gph total in about a 15gal area.

 

I think that would work well. As far as I've heard xenia grows best in higher flow. You could always put a ball valve on the new pump. Most pumps run more efficiently when dialed back a bit anyway.

 

Thanks Mike,
another possibility would be to take the 2000gph pump back and get one about half the size, not sure what I want to do, would like to get max flow to the DT thru the sump.

 

If you want more flow from your return I would stick with the new pump. You could install a t in your overflow plumbing that feed the new xenia filter and the new fuge. Just put a ball valve in the line to the new fuge so you can dial back flow. This would do away with one of the pumps and some heat.

 

thats a great idea, cant believe I didn't think of that. that way I would have real slow flow in the skimmer/fuge chambers. one more question, what would you put first in line, skimmer or fuge, or does it matter. Xenia has to be last with this design, don't know if thats good or not.

 

I would put the skimmer first. That way the water is as clean as possible when it gets to the fuge. Also no pods will get skimmed out.

 

I have another question. I've attached another drawing, can you show me the best placement of ball valves to accomplish this. not sure where to put them to restrict flow to DT, and also from overflow to skimmer chamber.

 

I had a question about one thing on the drawing. I wrote it on there.

The ball valve going to the fuge should be after the T but before the fuge. This way you can dial it back and all remaining flow will go to the xenia filter.

The ball valve in the return line can be pretty much anywhere in the return line. Just look for the spot you can most easily get to.

Are you sure your overflow will handle this much flow?

 

to answer your question, my overflow will not handle that much flow, that is what the other pipe going back into the sump is for. I'm not sure if I want to hold the pump back that much as my overflow will only handle 600 to 700gph. Thats the tricky part about the ball valves, I only want 600gph to tank and the rest strait back to sump.

 

Oh gotcha. That should work perfectly than. Put the ball valve after the pipe that re-circulates flow back into the sump. This way you can dial back flow to the DT and all the excess pressure will be routed back into the sump.