New Tank - Triton Method Question

[Fisherman Joe]

Hi all.

Moved from my 250L tank to a new 600L beast.

Setting up the triton method with the new tank. Got two Vortech M2 pumps on with two GHL flow detector sensors.

When I turn the pumps up to about 70% power the flow rate sensors say 2500l/h flow rate (5000 combined).

It’s struggling to get up to the 10x turn over without turning the pumps up full and having a really noisy tank. Any advice?

 

[Jay Z]

Pics of plumbing and pipe size?

 

[Fisherman Joe]

I’ve got 50mm (1.5 inch) down pipes and I think it’s 19 or 22mm return pipes.

I also have a central external weir and a bend to the left to get the pipes to the refugium.

 

[Jay Z]

1 22mm return per each m2? For 2 total?

 

[DarthSimon]

You shouldn’t be concerned with flow rates of your main returns pumps getting way past 4-5 times the overall tank volume per hour. Instead trying adding some power heads like MP40 ‘s from EccoTech and accomplish your flow that way. With additional power heads, we strive for 20-50x flow rate depending on livestock. You won’t be able to measure exact flow with power heads but you can get a rough idea with power percentages and pump specs.

 

[Jay Z]

Based on the info you gave I'm going to say you have the 19mm returns? 3/4" would match up with 1.5" drains.

At 5000Lh thats 1320 gph, so 660 gph per pump.

1.5" return rate max is around 2100 gph gravity fed. So you can handle up to 4200 gph on the drains.

Max feed for the return would be 1400gph or so per 3/4" return, but with head pressure and running off a pump designed for 1.25" your losing gph.

In theory bumping up to 1" return lines (25mm) will get you more gph.

Like Darth said, you can also add flow with power heads for total turn over rate.

 

[DarthSimon]

The most I ever get with 3/4 inch which is what he has in metrics (22mm) is 500 gph. Tons of variables of course.

 

[Jay Z]

Forgot your other option.

M2 pumps are known for low head performance. Not to knock them, I run 2 of them also. (sub $500 pump)

You could bump up to a Abyss return pump (around $2k). Ive also heard red dragons have great head pressure, you would need to research that. That would allow you to keep the 19mm return lines and increase the flow.

So what you can do as of now
- bigger return lines (3/4 to 1") which if you have to re drill that becomes a real bad option
- bigger/better pump, keep existing returns (increased head pressure to deliver more flow)
- add power heads

 

[DarthSimon]

Here for example are the (2) Cor 20’s I’m running with 3/4 inch pvc. The first one powers all my control room tanks and gear and seconds pumps water about 8-10 feet up to the display tank in my living room. All of my tanks have Vortech Power Heads for flow...

 

[Fisherman Joe]

Some pictures to help.

 

[Fisherman Joe]

I have two MP40s also.

I don’t know what to set each pump/power head at.

The return pumps are at 50% power at the minute. The MP40’s are the same.

 

[Scurvy]

As it relates to the Triton suggested 10x turnover through sump the program still works quite well getting a 5x turnover rate.
Thats about all I get using my COR15 and 3/4” returns.

 

[Fisherman Joe]

I do have 1” pipe.