Can you test flow off manifold gear?

nim6us · May 25, 2019

I have two reactors running off a manifold in my tank. This is great because it saves me needing two extra pumps, however it comes with a downside. I can’t measure the flow that’s coming out of my reactors.

Up till now after I switch out the media I just hold my hand under the return pipe of the reactor and turn the valve on my manifold until I feel a good steady flow.

However lately I’ve been trying to be more precise and consistent with my reef keeping. With that in mind I want to monitor the flow coming out of the reactors so it stays the same after each time I empty the reactor. Everything is hard plumbed so without cutting pipes up I’m not sure how to monitor the flow.

Anyone have any ideas?

JoshH · May 25, 2019

Do you have a picture of your setup? If you have a controller like GHL or an apex you could put a flow sensor on the outlet of your reactors. Which would involve adding pipes but not cutting them :)

nim6us · May 25, 2019

Currently I’ve got a lot of equipment blocking the reactors. Here’s a shot of my sump area before I filled the tank. There’s now a second reactor plumbed in that’s identical to the one you see.

And no unfortunately no Apex... yet ;)

JoshH · May 25, 2019

nim6us said:
Currently I’ve got a lot of equipment blocking the reactors. Here’s a shot of my sump area before I filled the tank. There’s now a second reactor plumbed in that’s identical to the one you see.

And no unfortunately no Apex... yet ;)

That's good you have the aquamaxx reactors, you can definately hard plumb a couple flow sensors in the back after the reactors. Whether you go Apex or GHL or even DIY a flow meter in there they all would work, although keep in mind Apex flow sensors dont seem to have the hottest reviews.

Brett S · May 25, 2019

Obviously the easy (and expensive) way to measure flow is with a flow sensor, but the poor man’s tried and true method is to time how long it takes to fill a bucket. If you get a one gallon bucket and hold it under the outlet you can time how long it takes to fill the bucket. If it fills it in one minute then you have a one gallon/minute flow rate. If it fills it in 15 seconds then it’s four gallons per minute. Using a five gallon bucket is even better, especially for high flow rates as little inconsistencies in starting and stopping the timer will be minimized, but if it’s something you’re doing frequently for your manifold a one gallon bucket would probably be more convenient.

Another very cheap option would be to leave the gate valves as they are and simply shut off the return pump entirely to change out the media. Then the flow will be exactly the same when you turn it back on.

And finally you could add another inexpensive ball valve before or after the gate valves. Leave the gate valves set with the flow you want and use the ball valves to turn the water on and off for each device. Again, since you aren’t touching the gate valves you won’t need to worry about readjusting them each time.