Flow meter

[MarineREEFpassion]

Ok I need help from any of you that have and use a flow meter for flow rate. Besides Apex, what are you guys using and how good is it?

 

[lapin]

Read the reviews for ideas
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/1-flow-sensor-fs100-neptune-systems.html
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/flow-meters.157736/

 

[MarineREEFpassion]

Read the reviews for ideas
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/1-flow-sensor-fs100-neptune-systems.html
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/flow-meters.157736/

Apex flow meters I heard aren’t very reliable and break quickly. Plus I don’t want to have to buy all of their expensive equipment just to read a flow meter.

 

[JoshH]

Apex flow meters I heard aren’t very reliable and break quickly. Plus I don’t want to have to buy all of their expensive equipment just to read a flow meter.

I'm trying to scrounge up the thread where I saw some mechanical ones that looked really nice but they weren't digital

 

[MarineREEFpassion]

I'm trying to scrounge up the thread where I saw some mechanical ones that looked really nice but they weren't digital

Doesn’t have to be digital just accurate and reliable. I might just go back to the apex just for the flow meter. Ugh lol

 

[Plecosam]

Why do you want or need a flow meter?

 

[MarineREEFpassion]

Why do you want or need a flow meter?

Because I have a rollermat that needs a flow no greater than 700 GPH and to disk in my UV light so it’s good for bacterial prevention. I don’t like trying to guess flow for two things that require accuracy for optimal performance.

 

[Plecosam]

Fair enough, I use a bucket, a stop watch and maths to calculate but whatever works, food for thought. What technology does Apex use in their flow meters, i.e. orrifce restriction, vortex, mag flow etc?

 

[MarineREEFpassion]

Fair enough, I use a bucket, a stop watch and maths to calculate but whatever works, food for thought. What technology does Apex use in their flow meters, i.e. orrifce restriction, vortex, mag flow etc?

I’m not 100% sure. It says FS flow sensor.

 

[JoshH]

Fair enough, I use a bucket, a stop watch and maths to calculate but whatever works, food for thought. What technology does Apex use in their flow meters, i.e. orrifce restriction, vortex, mag flow etc?

Apex uses a paddle wheel which is why they are considered unreliable. GHL uses the vortex method

 

[Boochika]

I tend to agree with plecosam. Try to isolate the outlet you want to measure and setup a measurable bucket or beaker with a stop watch. Repeat it a few times to determine repeatability if need be. I did this for my reactor I had coming off a T fitting in my sump. Measure the inlet to the reactor and the output of the reactor.

 

[lapin]

Apex flow meters I heard aren’t very reliable and break quickly. Plus I don’t want to have to buy all of their expensive equipment just to read a flow meter.

I did want to say it........ *-)
I guess you all ready knew it

 

[((FORDTECH))]

A bucket a stop watch

 

[((FORDTECH))]

And I will add for everyone who keeps saying apex flow is unreliable been running mine 6 months now and no issues. But most of all wanna add how accurate it actually is. I compared both my 1inch and half inch flow sensor to a manual test with bucket and was within +- 2to4 gph on every test I made. 1 inch I measured 405 and bucket was 403 and half I measure 26 with sensor and 27 bucket On average. This is pretty darn good in my book.

 

[MarineREEFpassion]

I did want to say it........ *-)
I guess you all ready knew it

That I did lol

 

[Jaebster]

I have no experience with this... I bookmarked the website from someone else's post...
http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Product/Flow/Flowmeters/VariableArea/SeriesLFM

 

[MarineREEFpassion]

I have no experience with this... I bookmarked the website from someone else's post...
http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Product/Flow/Flowmeters/VariableArea/SeriesLFM

Awesome thanks!

 

[JoshH]

I have no experience with this... I bookmarked the website from someone else's post...
http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Product/Flow/Flowmeters/VariableArea/SeriesLFM

Awesome thanks!

Same ones I was trying to dig up, thanks @Jaebster

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I use my eyes and see

 

[K7BMG]

There are .any flow meters.
Just make sure they are suitable for our reef tanks.
Some use metals that will .ake contact with the water.

I have a Apex flow meter on my return line.
For nothing other than to see when I need to clean the pump and know what my return flow actally is from the start.

If you want to use a bucket and stopwatch thats fine.
But you need to do it with the plumbing compleated in place.

If you put your pump in a bucket and have 5 feet of hose to another bucket thats cool but not accurate.
Especially if your plumbing goes from the basement to the first floor.

I have seen this mistake made many times.