Bean Animal, Standpipe Height

Sour137 · 12/23/2016, 06:53 PM

So I'm in the process of setting up my next aquarium, I have the 16 inch synergy reef external overflow, and I got everything cemented together, but i have a few concerns. My full siphon overflow standpipe is a third of an inch off the bottom of the external box. I am concerned that by having it so low it might restrict flow through the full siphon. Will this be the case, and if so would it be prudent to dremel a small section of the standpipe out to open it up more.

Additionally, on the full siphon i had to add two extra 45 degree elbows to route it around the center post on the stand. Will that reduce my maximum flow rate through the full siphon? The original setup i had in mind was to go from the overflow, to the true union ball valve, two 45 degree elbows to angle in to the sump and terminate an inch below the waterline. The way i have it set up now is overflow, to two 45 degree elbows, to true union ball valve, to two 45 degree elbows and terminate.

Any suggestions would be helpful, thanks.

thegrun · 12/23/2016, 10:21 PM

I would cut off part of your standpipe to increase the free area, I agree at only 1/3" you will likely get some restriction. The two extra 45 elbows will not add enough restriction to worry about. I would strongly recommend a gate valve on your full siphon drain rather than a ball valve, the gate valve will be much easier to make fine adjustments with. Ball valves are great where you want a full on or off flow, but gate valves work much better where small adjustments are necessary.

Sour137 · 12/23/2016, 11:37 PM

I'm taking your advice on the gate valve. I hate how expensive they are, but it seems like something that is worth it. There might still be a spot I can use the ball valve anyway. Thanks for the advice.

Julius Chen · 12/24/2016, 08:51 AM

Gate valve is a must.

In my 120g tank with 24" wide external overflow, my full siphon is 1" pvc. I use reef octopus 3500 dc pump as return to about 5' headroom. I had to close gate valve quite a bit to raise water level in overflow. So there is a good chance some restriction in your plumbing does not matter.

Breadman03 · 12/24/2016, 09:23 AM

I have 1.5" plumbing in my 150, but could have easily gone with 1". I also have 1/3" or so clearance on the siphon and neither my RD3-230 nor the Blueline 75 it replaced could outflow the siphon.

12/23/2016, 06:53 PM	#1
Sour137 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 3	Bean Animal, Standpipe Height So I'm in the process of setting up my next aquarium, I have the 16 inch synergy reef external overflow, and I got everything cemented together, but i have a few concerns. My full siphon overflow standpipe is a third of an inch off the bottom of the external box. I am concerned that by having it so low it might restrict flow through the full siphon. Will this be the case, and if so would it be prudent to dremel a small section of the standpipe out to open it up more. Additionally, on the full siphon i had to add two extra 45 degree elbows to route it around the center post on the stand. Will that reduce my maximum flow rate through the full siphon? The original setup i had in mind was to go from the overflow, to the true union ball valve, two 45 degree elbows to angle in to the sump and terminate an inch below the waterline. The way i have it set up now is overflow, to two 45 degree elbows, to true union ball valve, to two 45 degree elbows and terminate. Any suggestions would be helpful, thanks.

12/24/2016, 08:51 AM	#4
Julius Chen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Fremont, CA 94539 Posts: 173	Gate valve is a must. In my 120g tank with 24" wide external overflow, my full siphon is 1" pvc. I use reef octopus 3500 dc pump as return to about 5' headroom. I had to close gate valve quite a bit to raise water level in overflow. So there is a good chance some restriction in your plumbing does not matter. Last edited by Julius Chen; 12/24/2016 at 09:00 AM.

12/23/2016, 10:21 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I would cut off part of your standpipe to increase the free area, I agree at only 1/3" you will likely get some restriction. The two extra 45 elbows will not add enough restriction to worry about. I would strongly recommend a gate valve on your full siphon drain rather than a ball valve, the gate valve will be much easier to make fine adjustments with. Ball valves are great where you want a full on or off flow, but gate valves work much better where small adjustments are necessary.

12/23/2016, 11:37 PM	#3
Sour137 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 3	I'm taking your advice on the gate valve. I hate how expensive they are, but it seems like something that is worth it. There might still be a spot I can use the ball valve anyway. Thanks for the advice.

12/24/2016, 09:23 AM	#5
Breadman03 New Old School Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Luzerne County, PA Posts: 3,293	I have 1.5" plumbing in my 150, but could have easily gone with 1". I also have 1/3" or so clearance on the siphon and neither my RD3-230 nor the Blueline 75 it replaced could outflow the siphon.