Opinions on filtration setup

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

Do you have any kind of ball valve on those Mag12's Donald?

I find it odd cause my PC400 has the dual overflows which are rated to handle 1600gph but yet my Mag12 is too powerful for it....when it was un valved and with a single outlet I would find that my water level in the sump would rise slowly. I have my 125g AGA on a custom Oceanic stand so it sits a bit higher then normal stands.

[NDsuperduty]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

wouldnt it be better to run a stronger pump (mag12) and slow it down with a ball valve, than to have a smaller pump and it not be powerful enough?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

I would think so....I replied in experience with mine....the one I have on my tank is about 2x the handling capabilities as the PC200 and I find that the Mag12 is just a tad too powerful for it which is fine cause I have the ball valve on it.

Donald on the other hand states that he uses the Mag12 on his PC200's with no problems so either I got a really well built Mag12 or vice versa for Donald. I think having to limit the pump too much would cause wear and tear since it forcing the pump to work harder against the restriction.

[ddaquaria]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

No ball valve on mine at all.  The hose extends from the pump to the top of the tank.  I have a 90º there and a 90º back into the tank (which are slowdown spots) but that is it.

By the way, I have this setup on all 4 of my 120s with no issues.  I like the new PC 200 more due to these ease of changing the filter pad.

D

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

Hmmm....


Mine has a ball valve which I would say is about 10% closed, a T fitting to split the return and then 2x output spouts which do the double 90deg turns as well...

[armthehomeless]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

Ek - are you an Donald working at different heights? It could just be a difference in taste...

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

Here is how mine is setup.....

Right on the output there is a ball valve
2' above that is a T splitter
The first outlet has 3x90deg turns before being it spouts which is 4.6' from the pump itself
The second oulet has the same 3x90deg turns at the spout but is on the other side of the tank which is about 5-6' from the pump.


According to Donald's post his tank is about the same height as mine....my tank is a bit shorter then his but my stand is taller making them somewhat equivalent in height. Only difference is Donald says his single output does fine but mine has dual outlets and a ball valve and it's too much....if I had only one outlet and let it go full blast by the end of the week I would have about a inch and a half more water in my wet/dry.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

I understand some wanting more flow but IMO this is not the case with me cause I would greatly prefer to have a ton of flow but the sump filling up is not an option since that leads to flooding eventually.

[NDsuperduty]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

well, i got a PC200 for just over $200 new and it should be here next week.  Now I have to decide on the pump.

One thing to consider EK is the level you have your overflow set at.  If it is set high, you will get less water going into the sump making it seem like your pump is pushing too much water.

[ddaquaria]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

Well, finally got home and took a look at this.

My 200 looks like this:



I have 2 old designs and 2 new designs.  The distance from the pump to the top of the tank is about 54".  Then it hits a 1/2" pipe to 90º bend to another 90º bend, then travel about 6" to a 90º with a lock split.  Spraying to the left and right of the tank.  The overflow is a double that I have modified the intake pipes on to get rid of most of the noise.  I keep the water level at a maximum about 50-60% of the reservoir.  Basically if the pump is turned off after a water change (when the sump is filled to where I want it with no time for evaporation), the water rises to about 2" from the spill edge.

[NDsuperduty]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

that is the same wet/dry that I just bought.  I was considering getting the 300, but it was going to cost me over a $100 more.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

The thing with the overflow box is that the return pump is what controls that....if it's high the return pump will raise the water level till it clears.... that still doesn't make sense for the increase in water level in the sump cause if it's high my then my water level in the sump would be low. Either that or it would level itself out.