Water return

[Ryap P White]

I am looking for a unique idea on how to return water from my sump. I dont want to just dump it into the top of the tank. I would like something that would reduce the amount of waste sitting on the bottom. Can anyone point me in the direction of any diy links on this subject? Thanks


170 gal

large south americans
40g sump
1800 gph mag pump with 3/4 outlet


ps
I intend to try the famous grotto caves. I should be able to hide my plumbing behind that.

[Seedy]

Fluval cannister filters used to use a spraybar to return the water...Seems like a good idea, as it would agitate and areate the water well...

[chc]

Use some ball and socket tubing on the end of your return. That way, you can, every day or two, change the direction of the return and eliminate dead spots on the substrate.

Also, I like to create a current from the return (and any additional powerheads that may be needed) toward the intake of the filter.

[z rock]

If you have the spraybar return below water surface and loose suction on a wet dry system it will drain your tank down to what ever level the returns are. That could overflow your sump. Unless you already have a check valve installed. Then hope it doesn't get stuck.

Powerheads would probably be a better solution.

[chc]

True, but the return doesn't have to be submerged much. For instance, I know I can drain 6" of water from my 300 without overflowing the sump (it is a large sump). But a have a maller sump on a 125 that can only handle about 3/4" of drain down. So, the return in that tank barely breaks the surface.

[Old Hippie]

How about this with a check valve http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ug_jets.php ?

[chc]

If you used the gravel jets, you wouldn't need to submerge the return much at all, so a check valve would be unnecessary. The jets would cause all the turbulence you needed.

Regardless, check valves fail at one point or another unless you maintain them. Organic build-ups and other blockages would be disaster.

I've messed with the under gravel jets, but they aren't worth it in my opinion. If you use a thin layer of sand or extremely fine gravel and make sure the flow of the returns are well designed, all the waste will make it to the filter or, at least, into one small area of the tank where it can be removed during you regular water change.

[Old Hippie]

Actually, I meant to use the return of the wet/dry as the source for the UGJs. He did say "unique".

[chc]

That would be unique!

[Ryap P White]

I am beggining to to lean towards the pool filter sand as my substrate. I am still worried that it will get all caked with shibby though. Thats why I am trying to use the sump return to "sweep" the bottom. I just cant fugure out wheter it is a lost cause. I would like to have as little equipment (powerheads/hoses/lines) in the tankas possible. I am not interested in running any kind of undergravel filter or jet. Thanks for the ideas and please keep them coming!!======Ryan

ps I just got the tank today from glasscages. 170 g with 1/2 in glass. Its built like a abrams tank. It took 3 mexicans and me to load it into the jeep. Now its stuck there untill I can get some friends together!!

[chc]

For a true sweep of the bottm, you could get a sea swirl for your return.

[Ryap P White]

Who makes the sea swirl? and what is it?

[Seedy]

Originally posted by Ryap P White
Who makes the sea swirl?

Isn't that more of a philosophy question?:razz: :D

[chc]

Do a google search, but I know Marine Depot sells them. So do a few other places.

Basically, it is a rotating return mechanism used to create random flows in reef setups.

[Ryap P White]

I just found the sea swirl site. I like what I see but I am not sure if it can be adjusted to shoot down towards the gravel or if it just does topwater. Seems like a good product. Does anyone have personal exp with it?

[Old Hippie]

Read the FAQ section on the site. Should give you al the info you need.

[Ryap P White]

Thanks for all your ideas. I am going to buy one of the sea swirls....Ryan