2 inch Overflow Question
 

Does anyone know how many GPH can a single 2 inch overflow accomodate?

I am thinking of using a Ampmaster 4700 (4700GPH) or Sequence 4300 (4300 GPH) as a return. Would this be possible with a 2 inch overflow?

Thanks
Tyler

a friend of mine uses 2 2" overflows for 6000gph

I was wanting to use a ampmaster 3000, for about 2800gph(after head pressure and stuff), but reefcentral says minimum size is 2.06" so I decided to go with 2 1.5" :D

so in theory, it should do around the 3000gph mark. you might have to turn down the pump a little

I am just wondering, why do you want to run that much water through your overflow? :eek: Unless it is a huge tank I would run a much smaller overflow rate through your sump and hook a big pump like that to a closed loop or something. Otherwise you will have a veritable water fall for an overflow, and a torrent in your sump.

I have even though of toning down my return pump which puts 750GPH at the head into my 150G tank.

JMO. :biggrin:

reply
 

Minimum overflow size for 6000gph is 3.2 inches. Here's the calculator.
http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php

not a "tim the toolman" fan?

Yes I think bigger is better :razz: ... I must have not been thinking right when I wrote that post! Maybe "Binford" makes a water pump....

haha with a 5hp honda engine on it!

Danny Zubot, can you explain the linear overflow size from that calculator please. I have no idea what that means.

I wouldn't put more than 2000 gph through a 2" bulkhead.

Keep in mind your sump will be a raging river with too much flow.. you'll probably end up with micro-bubbles returning to the main tank.

I may be wrong but I think it means the length of the overflow siphon box, if that is what is being used.

Cheers,

Oh, right. Guess that is one of those terminology questions. So that would be the total length of the surface of the overflow box, including sides?

Not sure what you mean by "including sides".

Perimeter of the whole box? Hmmm. Good question. I'm not sure but I think so. If it meant just the length, like I thought, then you'd be lookin' at a 71" long overflow box for 4,700 GPH. Seems kinda big, but 4,700 GPH is big too.

I'm sorry. I'm gonna have to plead "I don't know" on this.
:redface:
Danny?......

Cheers,

So if it is perimeter why wouldn't they just say overflow surface area instead of linear overflow size. You're right. It is very ambigous. I think I'll shut up on this one now and let some who hopefully knows the answer help ya out. :redface:

Cheers,

Linear size is the total length of the area water flows over. So a 6"x6" corner overflow box is 12" linear length. How they calculate for tooth size escapes me though.

Ok thanks. Time for me to do more research on closed loops, sumps, ect as I plan out my system.