How do I tell if I have a good flow in my DT?

Dundermifflin · 04/06/2015, 01:58 PM

I have a 110g tall FOWLR using a PanWorld 150 going from the sump about 1' up and 1' over to a NuClear canister with a media filter (and two chemi-pure bags) in it and about 1' up from that, 3' over and about another 3' up and 2' over to a Y splitter and then 2' up each side in to the tank. Plumbing configuration pics attached.

I can feel the water coming out of both sides into the tank, just not sure if it's strong enough. How do I tell if it is?

Dkuhlmann · 04/06/2015, 04:39 PM

It all depends on if you are doing live rock with fish only or a reef tank.

EvenFurther · 04/06/2015, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

It all depends on if you are doing live rock with fish only or a reef tank.

FOWLR = Fish Only With Live Rock.

Dundermifflin · 04/06/2015, 05:31 PM

Anyone?

Roger30 · 04/06/2015, 05:45 PM

I would place some food pellets and see how they move.

Dundermifflin · 04/07/2015, 10:25 PM

The PanWorld tech suggested going from a 1" bulkhead to a 1 1/2" to allow more water to the inlet. He said this will increase the flow. Think I might give this a try.

nmotz · 04/08/2015, 12:20 AM

Keep in mind the more elbows there are in the plumbing arrangement the more head pressure is required to generate sufficient flow. As to whether or not it's strong enough flow...you shouldn't think about return flow from your sump as being the primary means of moving water in the DT. Powerheads do that. The most important thing is that water is able to effectively be transported from the sump through your plumbing back into the DT without any problems. People go back and forth all the time about what kind of volume per hour you should have in a sump but I think you should start basic: is water getting back to the DT with no issues? Yes? Good, no problem! At least that's how I would approach it.

toothybugs · 04/08/2015, 06:12 AM

I would re-title this "Do I have enough flow through my filtration" if I could. Flow in the DT is a totally different animal. So, to confirm, this is about getting flow through your filtration mechanism, right?

Dundermifflin · 04/08/2015, 08:27 AM

No, it's about flow in my DT which is a FOWLR.

04/08/2015, 12:20 AM	#7
nmotz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: FL, USA Posts: 1,433	Keep in mind the more elbows there are in the plumbing arrangement the more head pressure is required to generate sufficient flow. As to whether or not it's strong enough flow...you shouldn't think about return flow from your sump as being the primary means of moving water in the DT. Powerheads do that. The most important thing is that water is able to effectively be transported from the sump through your plumbing back into the DT without any problems. People go back and forth all the time about what kind of volume per hour you should have in a sump but I think you should start basic: is water getting back to the DT with no issues? Yes? Good, no problem! At least that's how I would approach it. __________________ Mantis shrimp are the best! Current Tank Info: 20L Peacock mantis shrimp tank

04/06/2015, 04:39 PM	#2
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	It all depends on if you are doing live rock with fish only or a reef tank.

04/06/2015, 05:31 PM	#4
Dundermifflin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 272	Anyone?

04/06/2015, 05:45 PM	#5
Roger30 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 339	I would place some food pellets and see how they move.

04/07/2015, 10:25 PM	#6
Dundermifflin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 272	The PanWorld tech suggested going from a 1" bulkhead to a 1 1/2" to allow more water to the inlet. He said this will increase the flow. Think I might give this a try.

04/08/2015, 06:12 AM	#8
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	I would re-title this "Do I have enough flow through my filtration" if I could. Flow in the DT is a totally different animal. So, to confirm, this is about getting flow through your filtration mechanism, right?

04/08/2015, 08:27 AM	#9
Dundermifflin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 272	No, it's about flow in my DT which is a FOWLR.