bigger return pump to get more flow

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SeeFu

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How many % are you running your COR20? Under optimal conditions (and brand new and clean!) it has a nominated flow rate or 2,000 GPH if I remember correctly.

Are you using an Apex flow meter for measuring?
at 70%-100% there's no change, its always around 250. i'm using the neptune flow meter
 
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SeeFu

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Gives a nice flow, good suspension, temps stay better, dilutes my dosing quicker and prevents percipitation
diluting dosing is my only reason to do this. when i does, you the ph in my sump increases a good amount for about 5 min. otherwise my tank has awesome flow. 4x mp40 and 2 gyre 350.
 

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diluting dosing is my only reason to do this. when i does, you the ph in my sump increases a good amount for about 5 min. otherwise my tank has awesome flow. 4x mp40 and 2 gyre 350.
If this is your only concern, consider a small pump, where doses drip, to mix it better. Better than revamping your plumbing to accomplish the same thing.
 
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SeeFu

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If this is your only concern, consider a small pump, where doses drip, to mix it better. Better than revamping your plumbing to accomplish the same thing.
i already do that. it's not really a concern, it woudl just be a nice benefit.
 

CasperOe

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its the neptune 1" flow sensor. 150-1500 gph
Do you trust it? :) I wouldn't... Have seen three fail in my own tank! I use mine now mostly for some consistency and as a fail safe- and not to measure actual flow!

Give the good old bucket trick a go to verify!
 
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SeeFu

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5 gal bucket test shows closer to 200gph
 

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal

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High flow thru refugium is not necessary as the plants cannot strip nutrients that fast. More water passing will not grow chaeto faster.
Eshoppes sumps bypass 90% of flow around refugium.
High flow can move critters and algae out of the refigium.
What is the reason for high flow thru refugium?
Love, love, love my Eshopps sump!
 

jason2459

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I've ended up tossing all my Neptune flow meters. They all failed over the years. I had 4 or 5 can't remember. My return meter was the first to go.

Side note, I have about 900-1000gph with my return on a 120g tank and 40g breeder custom sump. DCT15000 with about 10' head height from my basement with 1" PVC, 3 90's, to a Y, to 2x 3/4 tubing, and a couple 90 degree barbs and locline inside the tank. The DCT15000 has 16.4' head height max and I'm running it at 70% power. Bought it in 2016.



Looking at the COR-20 it has an impressive 20' head height. At about 10' head height it's looking to get about 800gph. And at 15' about 400gph.

flow-graph.png


Your biggest enemy is the diameter. I would plug current 1/2" return and just run a 1" pipe up and over the tank rim. That's how I ran my 180g for many years using 1.5" PVC.

Either way I don't trust that flow meter.
 
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SeeFu

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i've already tried throwing out the 1/2" return and running a a 3/4 around the back of the tank. no change.
 
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SeeFu

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either way, it sounds like to much expense/work for to little gain on something that i dont really care to much about. i was just hoping it would be something simple to do with substantial gains.
 

Vivid Creative Aquatics

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5 gal bucket test shows closer to 200gph
Sounds to me like the pump is just under performing - that pump is definitely capable of more throughput , even with 1/2in plumbing

Not sure if you saw my previous response, but just in case you didn't, make sure the pump isn't somehow set to underperform as part of a calibration.

Find it in your dashboard and click it. Then locate the Speed Adjust button, and make sure the sliders are set to 1% and 100%

Maybe they are adjusted to sometime lower than 100% - if not, then at a minimum , you can then rule that out as the issue

1696434635707.png
 

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The problem is your plumbing is undersized. I would not expect a 3/4" line to carry much more than 300 gph with most any aquarium pump and the 1/2" connection is a further limitation. Replacing the pump with a larger pump will not help unless you go with much higher head (Iwaki - Pan World). You either need to open up another circuit - maybe over the top - or somehow increase your piping and connection to 1" if you want 500 gph.
 
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SeeFu

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Sounds to me like the pump is just under performing - that pump is definitely capable of more throughput , even with 1/2in plumbing

Not sure if you saw my previous response, but just in case you didn't, make sure the pump isn't somehow set to underperform as part of a calibration.

Find it in your dashboard and click it. Then locate the Speed Adjust button, and make sure the sliders are set to 1% and 100%

Maybe they are adjusted to sometime lower than 100% - if not, then at a minimum , you can then rule that out as the issue

1696434635707.png
i'm at 100%
 
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SeeFu

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The problem is your plumbing is undersized. I would not expect a 3/4" line to carry much more than 300 gph with most any aquarium pump and the 1/2" connection is a further limitation. Replacing the pump with a larger pump will not help unless you go with much higher head (Iwaki - Pan World). You either need to open up another circuit - maybe over the top - or somehow increase your piping and connection to 1" if you want 500 gph.
yea that's what i figured. i'm not going to worry about this anymore, my tank is doing just fine so just trying to nit pick at this point
 

SteveMM62Reef

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I push a Rubbermaid 2 quart container down in the Aquarium. Set my phone to Stopwatch. Have a helper push the button, When I say go, and setting the 2 quart below a nozzle. Stop when container hits 2 quart mark. Repeat 3 to 5 times, average the readings for my flow. Repeat for the other nozzles.
 

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