Any way to figure out gph of a siphon?

Skerp · 01/13/2009, 08:19 PM

Hey peeps im planning my new 120 build and working on the sump and fuge setup. I'm thinking about just getting a few larger than normal U-tubes and just using them to siphon water from the fuge to the sump and back, maybe even some rubber tubing back up to the display. This is kind of a crazy idea and im just trying to be cheap and find a way around power heads and return pumps. Has anyone done this? Is it feasible? And is there some sort of physics equation to calculate flow rate in gph of the U-tube depending on its diameter and size?

Thanks

Matt

Icefire · 01/13/2009, 09:50 PM

forget that, recipe to disaster. first you need a good difference in height to get a good siphon, so it would only work from the display to the sump..
Buy yourself one pump and do it right

ahoyhoy239 · 01/13/2009, 10:24 PM

you wont be able to have water siphon from the sump to the fuge and back, just tee off from your tank drain (most common), return pump, or use a maxijet/small pump and drain back to the fuge.

01/13/2009, 08:19 PM	#1
Skerp Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 229	Any way to figure out gph of a siphon? Hey peeps im planning my new 120 build and working on the sump and fuge setup. I'm thinking about just getting a few larger than normal U-tubes and just using them to siphon water from the fuge to the sump and back, maybe even some rubber tubing back up to the display. This is kind of a crazy idea and im just trying to be cheap and find a way around power heads and return pumps. Has anyone done this? Is it feasible? And is there some sort of physics equation to calculate flow rate in gph of the U-tube depending on its diameter and size? Thanks Matt

01/13/2009, 09:50 PM	#2
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	forget that, recipe to disaster. first you need a good difference in height to get a good siphon, so it would only work from the display to the sump.. Buy yourself one pump and do it right __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI

01/13/2009, 10:24 PM	#3
ahoyhoy239 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 810	you wont be able to have water siphon from the sump to the fuge and back, just tee off from your tank drain (most common), return pump, or use a maxijet/small pump and drain back to the fuge. __________________ -- Javier Current Tank Info: AGA 120g peninsula w/ 40g sump, 175w MH, Octopus NW200 with Sicce, Panworld return