Plumbing bottlenecks

[Gerryd]

Hi all,

So just wanted to demonstrate the difference that plumbing can make in terms of flow and pump performance.

I will post some vids later.

Basically, I had three parallel 1" legs with the 3 outlets all combined into a SINGLE 1" flex and 1" fittings. These then flowed out to the tank.

This was really stupid on my part, as 3x1" legs into more 1" legs = BOTTLENECK and poor efficiency from the pump.

Here is a pic of the old setup:

Attachment 2034

So, I eliminated the combination as the mazzei leg is not in use. I then ran the NC bio direct to one outlet and the NC mech to the other.

Here is a pic of the new setup:

Attachment 2035

I then opened all the ball valves fully and removed the gutter grate from the wiers for unimpeded intake flow. I did swap for a clean NC cartridge but no way this made the difference. I know my system.

WOW is all I can say. The PSI on both NC dropped considerably, and the flow now pushes the fish all over, uproots plants, etc.

I can finally see why Jdowns told me the 3600 was too much 18 months ago

So, I had to back down on the flow quite a lot but am very happy with these improvements. All it took was proper intake and outlet pipe size and configuration.

I will most likely now for sure remove the wier walls for flow and so the stupid fish don't get back there

Am posting some few seconds vids so you can see the before/after just on the 3/4 outlets...

This should easily allow me to hook up my mazzei again but run this direct to tank as well. I can use the extra flow now to run the mazzei. We'll see but gives me more flexibility down the road.

I have a direct 1" flex/diy outlet direct from the cone distributor to the tank. I can no longer have the ball valve more than 40% open or the plants and fish will simply be blown away....Before I could open almost 100% and would be strong but nothing like this!!!!!!!

Try not to laugh too hard at my stupidity.. I knew it was an issue, just kept putting it off. Took about an hour of time and a trip to HD..

Thanks for listening. Hope someone can learn from my mistakes....

[Gerryd]

Videos:

You can see and hear the difference in the flow....

Old Left side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03nqVDUFr-w

New Left side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd5ti67bY_w

Old Right side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FEFcQDLU3k

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtZpTnPZgyo


New Right side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mHE7qpnyaQ

Remember that I also have 2 other outlets and splits in another. ALL outlets increased flow considerably. In some cases I would estimate they doubled or more, but you can estimate a bit from these vids.

So, this configuration provides full 2" intake flow to the pump and full 2" outlet flow from the pump. Finally getting the performance I had wanted from this design I started so long ago.....but I knew it was a long term project and I have learned A LOT!!!!!

I think I may have FINALLY reached my flow Nirvana......I know I have said that before
Thanks!

[Gerryd]

So, after a few minutes of playing with the ball valves....

Much much improvement.

I am going to remove the mazzei and bypass assembly and simply run a new 1" outlet to the tank instead. This will reduce the flow in the others (a good thing) and allow for even more directional control..since I have the hidden in-tank needle wheel for c02, the mazzei is not in play right now anyway.

So from the 2" cone distributor with the 5 x 1" outlets:

I will have 2 x 1" outlets direct to the tank via over the wall 1" U return assembly.

One 1" outlet to/from the NC 533 to the 3/4 loc line split in the wier return.

One 1" outlet to/from the NC 547 to a 1.5" WYE. This WYE then splits to dual 1" outlets. One direct to tank and the other to the other 3/4 loc line split in the other wier.

I will still have the last 1" cone outlet capped for future use.

Off to the LFS to get the outlet assembly parts....

This should provide more gentle flow from all outlets and a bit more distributed around the tank with another outlet to direct. Not bad things IMO.

You can really see the plants sway. The cyperus helferi looks awesome this way.....

I expect to see improvements in plant health from the improved flow and distribution patterns. Much more sway in all plants now.....

Fish are fine, tank is still large enough with hardscape to afford them plenty of 'rest' areas off the highway. Some of the currents are strong and they really seem to enjoy swimming against them...

Also, the NC both get full unimpeded flow to and from the unit, so I may get some efficiencies there as well. Just have to up the NC 533 maint sched maybe!!!!

I now have all 4 3/4 loc lines making surface ripple so I expect more 02 in the water as well.

I think this will make things much healthier and optimal overall.