Slow Drainage (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

I have a Quiet One 3000 pump on my 50 gal system, and the pump is overflowing the aquarium. :-o I bought the tank used and it was drilled with a 3/4" drain (stand pipe). The stand pipe has a couple of slots cut into it for the water to drain through. I have 1" plumbing from the pump. What I want to know is can I cut some more slots and get more flow or should I enlarge the drain hole in the glass? :? The aquarium was running fine with a 3/4" output from the pump, but I did not want to decrease the flow, so I used 1" pvc. (The pump hase 1" connections). I really don't want to decrease the output from 1", but I will if I need to.

 

[ShaneV]

Can you get a pic of the standpipe?

Is it shaped like a durso or a stockman?

Is the durso 3/4" or the bulkhead?

 

[ShaneV]

I forgot to say that I believe 3/4" tubing has a max flow rate of around 900 GPH, but I could be remembering incorrectly.

 

[Guest]

The stand pipe is just a 3/4" pvc, nothing special. The pump is rated at 780gph at 0 head. Heres a pic of the stand pipe. I have not changed anything on the stand pipe, this is the way it came. I filled the aquarium with fresh water to test for leaks, that's why you see water in the pic.

 

[Guest]

You might want to contact incysor and get him to send you a pic of the drain pipe that he made. I kwon he used 1" drain pipe but then topped it with a 1" to 2" adapter and topped that with a 2" to 4" that had the slots cut across the top of the 4" side. There is a formula for how many linear inches of overflow area you need to support a certain GPH but I dont remember exactly where I saw it? Seems like it was on the web site of one of the club members that makes/sells overflow boxes.

 

[Guest]

I don't know if this works yet, I have to wait for the silicone to dry. Here is what I did. I took apart the stand pipe and found that the hole was only large enough for 1/2" drain. :x I went to HD and found a tungsten carbide cutter for my dremel #9903. This bit cuts metal, tile and other hard materials. I enlaged the hole in order to fit a 3/4" inch drain. The bit is more of a grinder on glass, but it worked. I guess I will see tommorrow if 3/4" drain will be good enough.

 

[ShaneV]

Are you trying to silicone it in place? If so I would recommend against it. You need a good bulkhead., expecially with no box around the standpipe.

 

[Guest]

yea the weight of all that water would rip the silicone loose at some point -- likely in the middle of the night or while you are on vacation (thanks murphy). Buying a new bulkhead that fits correctly is cheap insurance. By the way Shane, thanks for the GSP it seems to like its new home.

 

[ShaneV]

The other thing to worry about would be any rockslide would easily tear it apart. The closets place youll find a bulkhead near Conroe is Fish R Us on 242.

highestbid, your welcome, glad to help out.

 

[Guest]

I went and got a bulkhead today. I don't have the tools to drill the tank for the bulkhead, and I don't want it to crack. Is there a place around that drills tanks?

 

[ShaneV]

Not in Conroe. The dremel bit you have wont cut it? I know Nick has had some success with a dremel glass cutting bit, but I wouldnt be comfortable doing it myself.

In Houston John at global will do it.

 

[Guest]

Ok. I don't mind the drive. I'll talk to John about it. Thanks for all the help.