Wet/Dry Flow Rate

[stevew14]

I have a 75 Gal. freshwater tank stocked with Tanganykans and I am using an Eheim Cannister (2215 I think). I also have a wet dry filter and have been using an Aquaclear 802 power head for several years as the return pump. I am thinking of changing to a pump that would increase the flow rate, but I've heard different opinions on what the ideal rate is.

Today someone told me that the whole idea of a wet dry is to let the water slowly trickle over the media, and that having too much flow can actually be bad. This contradicts what I have always thought. I know that I am limited to how much the OFB can handle without overflowing onto the floor, but I thought that by increasing circulation to more than the 802 powerhead is pushing would certainly be a good thing.

I know there are many here more experienced than I, and would appreciate any input. Also with that setup in mind, what would any of you use in the Eheim as far as media goes? Right now I have some of those ceramic noodles, thick filter pad, floss, carbon, and more floss bottom to top.

Thanks for any help.

[CichlidFan]

Re: Wet/Dry Flow Rate

Welcome to the box there steveo.....

I'm fairly new with WD's myself, but I think if you went with a 1" U tube on your overflow box, and a pump that is rated for up to 800 gpm, you might find a compatible mixture.

I'm sure there will be more information forthcoming...

Good Luck

CF

[fshfrk]

Re: Wet/Dry Flow Rate

you need more flow! get a mag 7. Jesper has a mag 12 on a 110 gal. WOW 8O

[stevew14]

Re: Wet/Dry Flow Rate

I have seen a couple different pumps named "mag". One is made by Pond master, and the other by Danner. What is the difference and which are you referring to?

[fshfrk]

Re: Wet/Dry Flow Rate

they are the same pump. just different labels. pond master has a longer cord for ponds. other than that they are identical.

[Zulaab]

Re: Wet/Dry Flow Rate

The company is Danner Mfg.,Inc.  

They make PondMaster, ProLine and Supreme products....
Pondmaster products are made for outdoor, ProLine are the commercial style pond stuff, and supreme is the aquarium world.

When FshFrk says I have a Mag12 on my wet/dry he forgot to add the following.
Tank is a 110g reef ready tank..  Its running on a 1" down pipe and 3/4" return.
Its connected to a Proclear 175 using a Danner Mfg, Supreme Mag12 pump.  With the head I am prolly pushing 1000 gallons an our out of it.  John (Fshfrk) can attest to how awesome that setup is.
If you used the overflow box, you would be limited to a Mag9.5 as the overflow box could only handle about 800 gallons an hour... there are reasons for why drilled tanks just works better :)

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Wet/Dry Flow Rate

There are some 1" u-tube overflow boxes that are rated at only 3-400gph.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: Wet/Dry Flow Rate

I have seen a couple different pumps named "mag". One is made by Pond master, and the other by Danner. What is the difference and which are you referring to?

Mag refers to the type of drive the motor uses to turn the pump.  The comon motor-pump coupling was a rigid shaft and if the pump could not rotate due to back pressure or bad berrings or whatever the motor was stalled and the electric current over heated the coiled wires and burned off the insulation & shorted out.  This was commonly called burning up the motor.   The new pumps now on the market are not driven by a direct coupled shaft.  The motor creats a magnetic field and the field turns a fixed magnet that is connected to the pump impeller.   If the impeller can not turn for any reason, the magnet does not turn but the motor does not overheat and burn up.  Great if you dead head your pump (don't leave a place for the water to go)   Another benifit is that the magnetic coupling does not have any bearings and there by has less friction and is more efficient.   (uses less electricity)