Hi all,
I have adjusted the drop in my corner overflows by simply extending the 1" PVC pipe that acts as the return by about 2-2.5". I am expecting/hoping that this will result in a slightly smaller C02 loss in these overflows as the 'drop' to the water below is now less.
I know that Tom had advised doing this in some way with a Durso standpipe, but this seems to work (so far) for my setup, but will keep you posted if otherwise.
I just needed a collar to connect the existing 1" PVC in the overflow to a small 1" long extension. Since the collar itself is almost 2" in length, you don't need very much extra pipe at all, just enough to connect the old and new.
It is much quieter and you can hear the difference immediately. I just did this so I do not know yet the effect on c02 loss, but the noise alone was worth it.
CAUTION: Please bear in mind that this will result in the overflows holding a bit more water. Please account for this when the pumps are off and they drain into the sump. I had to make a few cuts before I found a length that did not overflow the sump. While the drain height is higher, it did not account for the extra volume in the overflows, at least for my setup.
Combining this with the nenew wly enclosed sump and the use of a 500 gph pump on a much larger reactor (Aqua Medic Reactor 1000) than before, I expect to lose even less c02 and deliver more to my plants.
Questions:
1. My sump capacity is about 5 gallons at a level where it will not overflow if power is lost. Can I just get a bigger sump or does it have to match the size of the tank (180 gal)?
I have a trickle filter with both 1" intakes into the trickle column and pumps sitting in the sump. Has worked well for years but if an upgrade would help....
Also, I could get bigger pumps (currently use two 500 gph) and get a better turnover/flow rate.
2. I currently have a high fish load and do not fertilize AT ALL. I want to switch to EI, but wanted to know if I can dose in incremental stages, e.g dose only 25% of normal for a week or two, then increase slowly until I hit normal dosing levels.
I have many stable cryptocoryne (%90 of plant species) but do not want to experience a meltdown with many water chemistry (due to fert routine) changes at once. However, I have started weekly %50 water changes, so this should help even if I do nothing else.
Or does EI need to be all in?
What do you folks think?
Thanks again for all of your help,
I have adjusted the drop in my corner overflows by simply extending the 1" PVC pipe that acts as the return by about 2-2.5". I am expecting/hoping that this will result in a slightly smaller C02 loss in these overflows as the 'drop' to the water below is now less.
I know that Tom had advised doing this in some way with a Durso standpipe, but this seems to work (so far) for my setup, but will keep you posted if otherwise.
I just needed a collar to connect the existing 1" PVC in the overflow to a small 1" long extension. Since the collar itself is almost 2" in length, you don't need very much extra pipe at all, just enough to connect the old and new.
It is much quieter and you can hear the difference immediately. I just did this so I do not know yet the effect on c02 loss, but the noise alone was worth it.
CAUTION: Please bear in mind that this will result in the overflows holding a bit more water. Please account for this when the pumps are off and they drain into the sump. I had to make a few cuts before I found a length that did not overflow the sump. While the drain height is higher, it did not account for the extra volume in the overflows, at least for my setup.
Combining this with the nenew wly enclosed sump and the use of a 500 gph pump on a much larger reactor (Aqua Medic Reactor 1000) than before, I expect to lose even less c02 and deliver more to my plants.
Questions:
1. My sump capacity is about 5 gallons at a level where it will not overflow if power is lost. Can I just get a bigger sump or does it have to match the size of the tank (180 gal)?
I have a trickle filter with both 1" intakes into the trickle column and pumps sitting in the sump. Has worked well for years but if an upgrade would help....
Also, I could get bigger pumps (currently use two 500 gph) and get a better turnover/flow rate.
2. I currently have a high fish load and do not fertilize AT ALL. I want to switch to EI, but wanted to know if I can dose in incremental stages, e.g dose only 25% of normal for a week or two, then increase slowly until I hit normal dosing levels.
I have many stable cryptocoryne (%90 of plant species) but do not want to experience a meltdown with many water chemistry (due to fert routine) changes at once. However, I have started weekly %50 water changes, so this should help even if I do nothing else.
Or does EI need to be all in?
What do you folks think?
Thanks again for all of your help,
