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**o2manyfish** · 10-17-2005, 12:38 PM

Looks like a great starting point.

I think you should rethink your pump/plumbing design. Your Sequence pump cannot pull enough water from your dual 3/4" inputs.

And the output going from 1.5" to dual 3/4" inputs is also killing your pump.

You have an extremely powerful pump, which is being substantially limited by the way you have designed your plumbing.

I think that pump has 2" input and 1.5" output -

So the pump is looking for an intake which is roughly 3.14 sq inches
However your dual 3/4" lines are an opening which is only .89" sq inches

And your output which should be 1.76 sq inches of pipe is only .89"

Your pouring quite a bit of electricity into that pump, and not getting the output you should.

Also given the limited water flow through the pump, that pump may be running much hotter than it should which could create heat transfer issues, and affect the longevity of the pump and its bearings.

Something to think about---

However, the tank itself looks like a great start. And I really like the pygmy angel.

Dave B

**WayneL333** · 10-17-2005, 01:02 PM

Thanks for the reply Dave. I think I should elaborate on my system a little more. I actually have 2 Sequence pumps. I have the Dart which is my main system pump. That has a 2" intake a 1.5" return. The intake is plumbed into my sump via a 2" bulkhead. I have the 1.5" return T'd off into 3/4" returns into the tank.

The second Sequence pump is the Hammerhead which I am using in a closed loop/recircirc pump. Both the intake and return are 1.5". I have the intake T'd off from 2 - 1" intakes near the bottom of the back f the tank. The return is T'd off into 3/4" returns. 1 return is going through my Chiller before it returns back into the tank.

My pumps don't seem to be running that hot. I was actually noticing the other day, how cool to the touch they were and extremely quiet.

**o2manyfish** · 10-17-2005, 01:12 PM

So you have two pumps plumbed inefficiently.

If you want to return via 3/4" lines - You should create a distribution pipe that has 4 or 5 3/4" lines coming off a single 1.5" pipe.

Just cause you have a 2" bulkhead, flow is limited by the smallest opening. The flow through a 2" bulkhead is irrelevant - cause you are getting the same flow as your would through a pair of 3/4" bulkheads.

Something else to consider is when you plumb with PVC a 2" PVC pipe is a 2" opening that slips "into" the other fittings.

But when you plumb with vinyl tubing the 3/4" tubing is 3/4" on the inside, and that is reduced even more because a Barbed fitting slides into it - Your smallest opening using the vinyl tubing is probably just over 1/2".

So the plumbing technique you are using is really limiting how much flow you are getting from your pumps.

For example your Dart rated at 3600 gph - is 3600gph using 1.5 plumbing and at about 3' of head pressure.

Your dart is probably putting out less than 1000gph......

And your Barracuda, which is pressure rated, can't build pressure cause you are suffocating the pumps intake by limiting it to (2) 1/2" openings.....

Dave B

**WayneL333** · 10-17-2005, 01:21 PM

OK. So I can plumb all four of my current 3/4" returns from 1.5" Dart?

Regarding my Barracuda, their current intakes are from 2 - 1" tubes. What should my intakes be and how many returns can that output?

**o2manyfish** · 10-17-2005, 03:39 PM

You can plumb all 4 of your returns from the 1.5" Dart - Just make sure that the 2" line into the Dart is 2" from the sump all the way to the pump inlet.

For the Barracuda you need at least 1.5" plumbing from source to pump inlet. The number of returns is irrelevant, you really need to increase the size of the plumbing to take advantage of what your pumps are capable of.

Dave B

**moonpod** · 10-17-2005, 03:49 PM

Dave's hammering home an important point. One NEVER restrict the pump intake. It's very different than restricting the output. Pumps do NOT like restricted intakes. Two, these are really flow pumps, so when you choke off the outputs you DRASTICALLY decrease flow. On a Dart, Sequence states that going from 1.5 to 1" HALVES the flow.

On the other hand, DUDE TANK LOOKS GREAT

**WayneL333** · 10-17-2005, 03:59 PM

This is why I hated fluid dynamics in college. What I guess confuses me and I don't understand is if I am feeding two 1" tubes into a 1.5" intake, wouldn't that be sufficient. I guess I am thinking 1" + 1" = 2" feed for a 1.5" intake. I know I am losing flow because of the 90 deg elbows, but I though I had some flow to spare.

Thanks for all the advice and comments too!

**moonpod** · 10-17-2005, 04:01 PM

Is that an interruptus I spy in that pix.....?????

**Miguelito** · 10-17-2005, 04:03 PM

What a GREAT selection of LPS! I like the dendros - I got a yellow & orange from Anthony and my yellow one was practically dead by the time I got it home. He has really come back - they are tough dudes. I love the other acans. If you ever have any to sell let me know!

**WayneL333** · 10-17-2005, 04:13 PM

Moonpod: Thanks for explaining the flow!!! I finally get it!

ahhhhh....I get it. Thanks...

a = pi(r^2)

for 1 - 1.5" pipe
a = .75^2 * 3.14
a = 1.766in^2

for 2 - 1" pipes
a = (2(3.14*.5^2)
a= 1.57in^2

for 3 - 1" pipes
a = (3(3.14 * .5^2))
a = 2.355in^2

Is that an interruptus I spy in that pix

Yup

I got a male and female swimming around. I bought them from RCT Hawaii - captive bred. They've been coloring up pretty nicely since I've bought them.

Thanks Miguelito.

Uh oh. Now that I do get it. I have to rethink my plumbing as O2ManyFish said. I can move all four returns to the Dart and have that run efficiently, but what to do with the Barracuda?

I guess I can drill one more 1" hole, and plumb 2 - 1.5" returns...

**o2manyfish** · 10-17-2005, 04:36 PM

Wayne,

Now your getting it. But you forgot one part of your calculations. Your using 3/4" vinyl tubing. So two 1" bulkheads feeding through 3/4" Tubing, through a hose barb reduces your smallest opening to probably 5/8" - Now calculate using that number

Besides where did you go to school that you couldn't learn fluid dynamics ???

You take a 1 gallon funnel, remove the bottom invert, connect to a 1" vinyl tubing, insert beer.

That will teach you the basic principals.

Now lesson two - Cut the bottom off a sparkletts bottle. Use a 1.5" ball valve and some sealant. Now take the output from the valve and feed it to 4 -6 " 1" vinyl tubes.

Mount the inverted bottle on a heavy duty IV stand. Load with beer and find 5 ladies to work with.

Now experment with changing the ends of the tubes from 2" flex to 3/4" flex

All the hydrodynamics you need for aquarium plumbing can be self taught using a beer bong

Dave B

**nbd13** · 10-17-2005, 04:36 PM

Pretty nice there.

if you dont mind me asking how big were those interruptus when you got them? small like .5"?

did he sell them to you as a pair?

thanks

Nick

**WayneL333** · 10-17-2005, 04:40 PM

They weren't that small. Actually they weren't much smaller than what they are now. Yes, I bought them as a pair. I think his last ones back in June or July I think.

Now your getting it. But you forgot one part of your calculations. Your using 3/4" vinyl tubing. So two 1" bulkheads feeding through 3/4" Tubing, through a hose barb reduces your smallest opening to probably 5/8" - Now calculate using that number

No, my intakes for the Baracuda 1" vinyl. The returns are 3/4" vinyl. I understand the other part way too much. That's why it took me a little longer to get through my program than average.

It's just one more semester dad...get off my case.

**nbd13** · 10-17-2005, 06:04 PM

Very nice!

did you have nay problems with corals or getting them to eat?

thanks

Nick

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