My 400g room divider system (photo essay) - Page 13

SPC · #**301** 04/23/2004, 07:09 AM

Good morning Greg,

It appears that the input for the return is a couple of inches lower than the pump input, isn't this like trying to siphon up hill?
Steve

gregt · #**302** 04/23/2004, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPC
Good morning Greg,

It appears that the input for the return is a couple of inches lower than the pump input, isn't this like trying to siphon up hill?
Steve

Good morning Steve,

I'm not sure if that's really true. I suspect they are about even.

However, even if it is accurate, as long as the water level stays higher than the pump input, there's not a problem.

Bomber · #**303** 04/23/2004, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by steve68
Greg having a sump that u could drill why dint u?
why go over

Cause you can't change pumps, positions, etc.

and if you need to service or work on the pump, you don't have to drain the sump.

Travis · #**304** 04/23/2004, 09:01 AM

Quote:

It appears that the input for the return is a couple of inches lower than the pump input, isn't this like trying to siphon up hill?

As long as the water level in the sump is higher than the return pump's input it should be ok. The siphon causes the water in the sump to seek out the same level on the other side so if the pump inlet is lower than the water level it will still be siphoning.

SPC · #**305** 04/23/2004, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gregt
Good morning Steve,

I'm not sure if that's really true. I suspect they are about even.

However, even if it is accurate, as long as the water level stays higher than the pump input, there's not a problem.

Yep, I forgot about the water level being higher.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bomber
Cause you can't change pumps, positions, etc. and if you need to service or work on the pump, you don't have to drain the sump.

Funny you should mention that, Jerel. I have a gate valve between my sump and pump that I can turn off when I need to do my routine seal changing

on my Ampmaster pump. The last time I had to do this however (a few weeks ago) I found that the gate valve would no longer close all the way (calcium build up I would guess), so now I will be draining the 75 gallon sump in order to change out the valve.
Steve

gregt · #**306** 04/23/2004, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Travis
As long as the water level in the sump is higher than the return pump's input it should be ok. The siphon causes the water in the sump to seek out the same level on the other side so if the pump inlet is lower than the water level it will still be siphoning.

Just to be clear, siphon isn't really an issue here. We just need to maintain prime. Obviously, it would be a mistake to run the water lower in the sump than the intake of the pump, as that would create pressure working against the pump. However, aside from that siphon is not a force at play here.

Let's think about the system in a static sense:
If the pump is off and the hook is primed, then water in the hook will equalize the levels in the sump and on the output side of the pump (the return plumbing). When the pump is turned on it is fighting against the head pressure of the water on the output side, just as always in a return pump. The level of the water will reduce that head pressure by the same amount whether the pump is submerged, plumbed through a bulkhead, or using a hook.

Flatlander · #**307** 04/23/2004, 11:12 AM

I have always plumbed my returns pumps similar to Greg. Never a problem. Like him, I always use oversized pipe.

crab0000 · #**308** 04/23/2004, 12:12 PM

More pics please

.

gregt · #**309** 04/23/2004, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by crab0000
More pics please .

Sorry, it's been a busy day at work today.

I'll get on it. LOL

gregt · #**310** 04/23/2004, 12:36 PM

Actually, I forgot to upload the next batch last night. You're going to have to hang out for a couple hours. LOL

All that's left is the final plumbing, not that there's not a lot to cover there.

In the meanwhile, does anyone have any requests for photos? If so, I'll be sure to take custom shots this weekend to try to cover everything that's remaining.

Also, I'm going to be adding the 4th MH this weekend so we can look at some comparison shots...

Bomber · #**311** 04/23/2004, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPC
Yep, I forgot about the water level being higher.

Funny you should mention that, Jerel. I have a gate valve between my sump and pump that I can turn off when I need to do my routine seal changing on my Ampmaster pump. The last time I had to do this however (a few weeks ago) I found that the gate valve would no longer close all the way (calcium build up I would guess), so now I will be draining the 75 gallon sump in order to change out the valve.
Steve

Take advantage of that, get yourself to HomeDeposit. Plug the hole and rig it up and over.

(don't mind us Greg, we'll just chatter away until you have the pictures ready

)

n o o d l z · #**312** 04/23/2004, 02:11 PM

Very nice Greg...I spent about an hour reading through all the posts and looking at all the pictures in this thread...you've truly inspired me to try harder in college so that I can get a nice house and afford an aquarium like yours...would love to come see it in person sometime...

gregt · #**313** 04/23/2004, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by n o o d l z
Very nice Greg...I spent about an hour reading through all the posts and looking at all the pictures in this thread...you've truly inspired me to try harder in college so that I can get a nice house and afford an aquarium like yours...would love to come see it in person sometime...

Wow.

Now that's a flattering compliment. Thank you.

Cappy · #**314** 04/23/2004, 02:39 PM

I really can't wait till I get mine going. It has been tossed to a back burner, do to new swimming pool. Decking, Landscaping around it.

Yours Looks Fantastic soo far keep up the great work.

Flatlander · #**315** 04/23/2004, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gregt
Sorry, it's been a busy day at work today.
I'll get on it. LOL

Your not supposed to work, just stay home and take pics more pics for us.

Bomber · #**316** 04/23/2004, 05:37 PM

Cappy · #**317** 04/23/2004, 06:15 PM

How in this world did you get the cat to do that.

steve68 · #**318** 04/23/2004, 08:33 PM

Bomber greg already told me why & i see his point
i have a true union on my pump so i could service the pump anytime
with no problem but then again when i did my sump i knew right where i wanted my pump & drilled a 2 inch hole just in case i ever wanted a bigger pump but my sequence 3200 does a great job i do wish i would have made another hole for anothewr pump so i could add another tank to it.

love that cat he is cool.

minfinger · #**319** 04/23/2004, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cappy
How in this world did you get the cat to do that.

It's just an animated GIF file that some made that he has hosted on a web server somewhere. He then posted it like a regular JPG file using the IMG tags.

gregt · #**320** 04/24/2004, 06:46 AM

Same way I got my old tank to do this:

SPC · #**321** 04/24/2004, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bomber
Take advantage of that, get yourself to HomeDeposit. Plug the hole and rig it up and over.

(don't mind us Greg, we'll just chatter away until you have the pictures ready )

I believe I may just do that.

Greg, I would like to see some pictures of your UV set up when you get it installed.
Steve

Sardaukar · #**322** 04/24/2004, 12:44 PM

Very cool animations.

gregt · #**323** 04/24/2004, 01:03 PM

Ok, I'm uploading a couple hundred more pictures this afternoon...

gregt · #**324** 04/24/2004, 04:11 PM

It still needs some work, but here's the animated gif I put together for the new tank...

MarkS · #**325** 04/24/2004, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gregt
This stuff is used widely in marine environments on boats and such. I seriously doubt that sitting on the bottom of my tank it's going to be an issue of breaking down. It's tough stuff.

It's been in Bombers tank for over a year now and I believe he's used it in older tanks also. Not sure on that one though.

Ever thought about pouring a thick layer of white marine epoxy? It would be a permanent solution and you wouldn't have to worry about breakage, detrius building up underneath, etc.