Originally Posted by
Photobug
Thanks Johnny,
Yep both drains are 1". The return pump will be 3/4". I have a quiet one 3000 for my return pump. The pump has a way to dial down the return. Not sure how precise it is though.
JAT: You don't want to use the pump's small orifice to dial down the flow. It's not accurate enough. At minimum, use an inline ball valve. A gate valve is more accurate then a ball valve if you want pinpoint accuracy.
I want to be able to make the tank fairy quiet, thus the reason for the valve to insure there is no air entering the system causing gurgling.
JAT: The valve won't control gurgling or air... it'll mostly restrict flow. That's what you don't want. The drain, going through a vented overflow (as shown in your picture) will create more sound then a simple durso or open ended pipe. Simply because it's breaking up the water as it flows through. It's best to vent the drain, and be able to control the airflow (for lack of a better term) on the back of the tank via a PVC T. You can cap the vent, and drill holes in the cap to control the venting and noise.
You think with both drains wide open they will be running full and quiet, I just need to regulate the return? If I am relying on both drains to work what happens if one of them clogs?
JAT: Yes and No. If both drains are running "wide open", they have to be made to be quiet. No drain is quiet... it's in how you devise the drain, that makes it quiet. Water flow... isn't the main reason (IMHO) for noise. None of my tanks are noisy, and all use different styles of "wide open" drain flow. Some passing 1500gph or more. You should set your drains by manually clogging one, and setting your return flow. Then, you'll know if one clogs... the other (solo) drain can handle the flow.
One other concern I have is the overflow drains are threaded but the bottom of the screened overflow is about 3 1/2 inches below the top of the tank. Would the adjusting of the return flow allow me to bring the water to a level I want or do I need to figure out how to get the return screen higher?
JAT: You'll move the screen to adjust water drain flow.