Aquarium Science - Water Flow Management

Dennis Glaze, formerly with Oregon Sea Grant Extension's Aquatic Animal Health Program, shows how to manage water flow with proper bulk head size and placement.

[@pondguru]

Inlet flows in under pressure and outlet flows out under gravity so outlet always needs to be larger - good demonstration.

[@kenro624]

This is one of if not the most informative videos on drainage flow rates.

[@oceres]

Wonderful video, thanks for sharing with all of us!

[@MrKeithHoward]

A simple yet informative explanation on the basic principles of Aquarium to Sump/Refugium plumbing and flow. A hello and thanyou from the Rock of Gibraltar on the other side of the pond.

[@MrHappyMedium]

This video is fantastic. Thanks much for taking the time to post it.

[@Ab39able]

thanks dennis, this video will stop me from getting my carpet wet, great demo, great help, great presentation, thanks buddy.

[@Physics072]

Nice video, a video says it all. Very good in a trade where its the blind leading the blind in terms of good information.

[@camerondrummond8283]

Finally a clear understanding given! Thx so much.

[@rubenmeister5276]

Well said sir, ignore the ungrateful overtechnical idiots. These are basic ideas that helped me tremendously when building my custom reef tank. I would have had a major headache had I not listened to your video before I finalized ordering my plumbing parts. I now have a successfully piped, and safe tank!

[@johnirizarryjr6508]

Best feelings ever!! Enjoy

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[@charmango123]

thank you for this vid, the info was invaluable. I am currently in the middle of designing/researching my own filtration external sump/filter combo - I have been gearing for watching that the filter not overflow but never even occured to me I could overflow the tank itself so thanks for pointing that out and supplying the info!

[@dferr22]

first time posting a comment and for good reason. this guy explained it in such detail that I can stop watching u tube for designing my new filter. thank you

[@espeterson522]

Very informative! Another thing I like to do sometimes is sharing the load across multiple bulkheads. Instead of one 2", do two or three 1" bulkheads. That way you don't waste as much overhead space, and you have a little insurance in case one of the outlets gets blocked by debris.

[@ZsaZsaUmbra]

Where were you when I needed you lol! Excellent video, thanks a million.

[@margan59]

Thanks SO much. I have a 150 gal and am building a sump. The tank does not have easy access and I cannot fool around and experiment. This helped a lot.

[@jeinelson]

Incredible well said. So easy to inderstand. Thanks speaker.

[@MarthaMartinez-ez4vd]

just what i needed now that i am setting up my sump. great vid tks

[@emmanuelperez4830]

Great Video. Keep up the great work and keep these coming.

[@kevanbarnes5795]

gr8 video just the way u show the flow of the return and the overflow u rock mate

[@Mybitterreality]

I did a similar project and it took me a month to figure out the tricks, I wish I'dve seen this before

[@alex42884]

Excellent information for a newbie. Thank you!

[@rmhutchins7]

I enjoyed your video. It was very helpful. Thank you!

[@ROTTERtube]

awesome video thanks for making it!

[@Diosesdepapel]

Great video , nice way of presenting the information , Thank You

[@rick11201]

How many good hardwood floors have died for this info! Good video, nice, technical and short explanation!

[@mr.cliffordjohnson6304]

Good stuff, learned something......

[@prlexlatino]

good info, a lot of beginners miss this one step when setting up thier systems...

[@askvanita]

Nice information. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@ravindunanayakkara3221]

Well done.. Sir.. These ideas ara very usefull for people like us..thanks a lot

[@robertg.4823]

Excellent video, makes sense, plus well said....

[@Juancmanzanares]

Wow old video but it was what I need to hear. I had that exact problem with filter. I place it on top of my tank so i didn’t have to make holes on the tank but I run in that problem with the pump and the return pipe been the same size of the intake pipe. I did fix it by doing what you said of making the Size bugger in my case the return and it worked. But I always wonder why... know I know. Thanks man!!!

[@MEATSOMBRERO]

EXCELLENT Video! Thanks.

[@JeffMonfils]

Fantastic explanation!

[@johnyrajjohny2219]

I was going to fit a sensor for water control level Waste This is a good video for basic Thanks sir

[@photosbyjb007]

Thanks for your excellent video

[@koala20001]

great video. Short but very informative.

[@charlesng1535]

It is great. Very professional and factual.

[@TheHarly]

Good tips 👍this basic tips is very important

[@theman56]

hey Dennis great video loved how knowledgeable you are!

[@wunderschonenable]

That was excellent, thank you.

[@TheRoostCrew]

Thank you for the video, it was very instructive. I am curious on something you didn't address though and I was wondering if I might get your time to answer this. In your video example you start with a 1" outlet and increase it to 2" (then to 2.5" for your safety factor); would adding another 1" outlet have the same result as a single 2" outlet? So my question is, would dual 1" outlets have the same result as a single 2" outlet? Thank you very much for your time!

[@aaronbuchanan4633]

hi there I thought this was the best video ive watched as im currently in process of building my 8x2x2 aquarium. I was just wondering how far down from the top of the tank should I drill for both outlet and return bulkheads? thankyou

[@kentreichert7553]

So simple. Great! Thx!

[@takebacktheworld8090]

Glad I found this

[@Bills200]

Great video, thank you

[@Jackwagon]

Great vid!

[@Techdude52]

Great Video!

[@VacancyJB]

very informative, great video

[@thealbinoonenonly]

Pretty good demonstration.. A+

[@xhawkusmc]

ive seen a trick a long time ago where the jet in was piped directed to the piping of an under gravel filter. it spreads the current out underneath the gravel keeping it in place for the most part, while pushing waste out. its a thought, but sludge in gravel is a good thing just get some plants. anyways theres one solution for what you were describing, though a powerful pump may be too much for a small undergravel filter system

[@ronniet10]

Thanks for sharing the 1 in 2.5 out ratio

[@tjoslin53]

Hello, great vid! I have a question that no vid has spoken about but I have seen. If you have a large tank with a bottom drain that takes the fish waist to the filter and then the filter returns clean water back to the tank via another pipe. Question, do you simply try different pipe outlet sizes to find the out and in flow rate that works. I would think that the out flow at the bottom of the tank with all the water pressure above would be a problem. Hope I am being clear in my description. Thanks

[@excuseme4960]

Unknowingly, I did this exact setup for my first aquarium. 3/4 in and 1-1/2 out works great with a 800gph pump on my 75 gal tank with a 20 gal sump my question is how do i get the things that stay on the bottom to float up and get in the current that makes its way to the over flow? Seems there are some spots where the current cant reach, maybe a power head near the bottom to stir it up? Great video.

[@FashionBiff]

Good explanation of drain flow. Simple way to show what is or needs to happen for drainage as opposed to someone just saying use this and this. On a side note, your missing a fire extinguisher and GFCI protection on the pumps would be a good thing for safety.

[@stater3]

Good to know especially about circulation.

[@Edwinorellana2022]

Great video good info.

[@CrowntailHalfmoon]

Excellent tip. Very informative What if you use 2 bulkhead outlets for drainage?

[@desmondlarmond9698]

I wish i had seen this before i made my diy acrylic sump. I have some larger tank connectors to buy and two more holes to drill. Good grief. Thank for the video.

[@adrianmcdaid5082]

great help many thanks

[@sumalsebastian]

Super informative for my DIY project. But does controlling the water inlet cause the pump to work harder n cause heating? Also, do i need two outlets one for the overflow at slightly higher level as my tank is going to be huge(8'x2')?

[@rubenmartinez1281]

Wow great video

[@chandlerlabs2478]

Great video, thank you. Yes, carpets got wet;-)

[@saraabe1]

Hey steelo! Are you still using Fish Town USA? Or have you changed locations for your aquatic needs?

[@666cowboy69]

2:24 my aquaponics system utilizes both 6in and 8in bulkheads so you will be able to find them atleast 8in i think i saw them as large as 16in but only know ive seen a 12in, you will be forced to look online in multiple places if you go over 4in; if your working 3in or smaller start at homedepo, if your 4in or larger start at lowes.

[@REEMIKS]

i learned alot thanks

[@danielmccoy528]

Thankyou for the video Question: What size bulkhead would I need for 2inch piping? Please keep in mind this piping is strictly for connecting two aquariums into one and serves as a passage way for fish to travel to and from tanks, plus, all the filtration will be in one tank.*Unlike a sump tank, it’ll be an internal sump, taking up 10 percent of that tank, but have an output via water pump, of the combine volume of both tanks*. It’ll also double to help water flow between both tanks, so the water in the tank without the filtration can also get filtered by water circulation through these 2 inch pipes. Any advice on transferring waterflow between two tanks, that are connected via similar fashion, would also be appreciated :) Once again thankyou

[@nunomascarenhasribeiro]

At last....someone straight to the point...Thank You.

[@psyclinez5985]

Listening to this video while hearing comments and can see why people think that this video isnt complete,but to give credit to this man and video its simple really why tha video seems,and is not complete its this....whats tha basics and fastest Route from A to D with out making it complicated for simple minds,or tha beginner,its this video. I tried to explain to alot of people tha whole A to turn,elbow,up,down,sideways, twists,turns,flow rates,or START A),b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k(FINISH D and they got lost and could careless cause,They didn't understand and just wanted to know tha fastest and simplest way,and here u have it.And I am tha type of person to tell u tha same thing I just did but change tha wording to help u get it. No one just starting out wants to get slammed in tha head with everything at once,its to be fun not a pain in tha ass and head trauma lol, Once u got this,then u give them alittle more. only true hobbyist or some one BE ALL U CAN BE IN THA AQUA-ROOM WILL KEEP FOCUS EVEN IF THEY GOT STUCK OR LOST IN A FRACTION OF THA WAY SKIP IT,MOVED ON AND COME BACK TO FIGURED IT OUT LATER. So great video and simple way to start out. BE EASY ELBERT EINSTEINS AND AQUA-ESPN KILLERS...ALOT OF PEOPLE NEED BABY STEPS,U JUST KICKED THEM OUTTA THA BELLY HITTING THA FLOOR COLD,WET,SCREAMING AND,TELLING THEM TO RUN NOW!!! WHEN THEY DONT EVEN KNOW HOW TO WALK,LET ALONE CRAWL!!! LOL BLESSED BE...

[@newenglandfishkeeper2105]

on the outlet do u use a some sort of sreen so small fish dont get in the sump?

[@Jamesrneedham]

Are you available for a DM? I have some questions about the best location for a check valve with an external pump above the water line and most of the plumbing is buried. Should it be closer to the pump, closer to the water, and can it be horizontal as long as it is below the water line? Any help would be appreciated!!!

[@powerk2615]

Thanks buddy, however I already have my sunp fish tank drilled 1" out 1" in. If I reduce the amount of media in my filtration, would it help to flow out faster?

[@andrewr022488]

Great video but I have one arguement against this which is in a saltwater system, particularly a reef system, You’ll generally have a type of macro algae in Your Sump. It is preferred to have low flow in your sump when you have a refugium setup with macro algae. You’ll be getting the majority of Your display tank flow from powerheads so you aren’t relying on the return pump for anything other than returning the water from the sump/refugium back into the display. Great video though and very easy to understand.

[@sawankhokale84]

Very Informative, Could You Please Help In Suggesting As To How Much Ich Single Bulk Head Do I Have To Have As InFlow If I Intend To Have 2 Nos of 1 Inch OutFlows Pumping From One Single 10,000 Lt/hr Pump For An 150 Gallon Tank...

[@lNiX-iu6xl]

I used pvc 1/2 in and 3/4 out which is the minimal size difference you want. My setup only works cuz my water pump isn't as strong as the ones he used. I'm using a 290 gph water pump for reference and I have it set on half strength by turning the little knob that restricts waterflow.

[@MrSheppard84]

you could possibly put inlet on bottom of tank, which would stir up crap on the bottom. But then, there would be other considerations to take, such as syphon off during a power cut. Also, if you have substrates, gravel etc, you may end up blowing it down the other end of the tank.

[@uttamrao8836]

Great good night info thx:-)

[@icysteve46]

So with a 1" inny, could I get away with two 1.25" outies that merge into a 2.5" pipe somewhere outside the tank? that way I can keep the water level that much closer to the top.

[@carlosm6608]

this is gold

[@Songy23]

very informative thanks

[@gabrielbennett5162]

VERY useful information! Thank you! I'm currently building a large custom filter for my goldfish tank. My pump is rated at a max of 400 GPH and this is is just the kind of useful info was looking for!

[@frankcastle5128]

I'm trying to create water return and over flow for my 150 gallon aquarium. I want to use a hang-on style overflow and pump water from a 55 gallon drum in my basement. The drum is 20' away vert.and hor. collectively. what size piping do I need for the overflow and return? What pump would I need in order to supply water to the aquarium for the distance it will be from the aquarium?

[@alexcalabro8140]

I'm not sure if this is still active but I'm at a standstill and really need some direction for my tank. I have a 1in inlet with a 2in outlet and the 1in outlet pumps faster than the 2in will discharge, what can I do to increase how much the 2in discharges without cutting a bigger whole?

[@MilosStevanovic1]

The thing I don't like about this type of overflow is the water circulation itself. Since the water that comes out/in is on the top I was wondering if there is any circulation on the bottom of the tank?

[@johndowney8321]

Good vid.

[@alanhester1604]

Thank you

[@paulthomas5001]

how do you work out what size the pump inlet pipe needs to be for a 32mm tank out?

[@nazriusham]

Thanks you sir.

[@SpringfieldMa]

Finally I can fix my hydroponics system my A frame pvc system kept overflowing at the last pipe. I guess I need to make the exit bigger

[@gtariman03]

The surface area of 2inch outlet is bigger than two 1inch outlet. Formula for finding the area of a circle is A=3.14x(radiusxradius).Lets say using 10 as 1inch outlet and 20 as 2inch outlet. The surface area of two 10inch outlet would be 628inches. The surface area of 20inch outlet is 1,256inches. I'm not sure if I'm doing it right. It's been a few years since I was in geometry.

[@irelandeire1365]

Hi,is it a must have to put a cover over a sump?

[@TheSlacker64]

@randy12368 Totally makes a differance. You inlet is under presure from the pump, the outlet is only under gavity pressure. Pumping at max cap of a 1" inlet you will overrun the 1" outlet without the same presure.

[@garydsouza2335]

should i get 2 x 1" outlets when using a 1" return.. so i drill 3 hole at 1" 25mm uk

[@yomoseo]

Where do you get tanks with this kind of inlets?

[@carlosweinberguer8161]

what's better bulkhead or universal seal??

[@user-ys8mn3fc9s]

Is there any reason that use PVC for output but rubber?silicon hose for input with motor?

[@Physics072]

One error though is you are using a horizontal bulkhead which does not apply to a floor drain type. Horizontal rates are almost 1/2 lower than vertical flow rates. ie. A 1.5 inch pipe on the bottom can handle 1800 gph (depends on pipe length and amount of standing water above pipe. That same 1.5 inch pipe mounted on the side like this video probably can handle only 800 gph.

[@luthmhor]

If you want to simplify your sump setup, set your outlet at the level you want your water at, and then basically allow your return water line to act like an overflow, where water spills out but doesn’t siphon. Then as long as your pump isn’t overpowered you don’t have to worry about overflow issues in the tank or the sump.

[@DEXTER-TV-series]

Some link to see it ?

[@GarryThomassaltyreefers]

what type of drive? Prop? jet drive?

[@rocrulez]

I have the same design but need to know that how to reduse the noise in inlet pipe...???

[@frazelfernandes3082]

the outlet also depends on the pump thats gona pump the water to the aquraim, if pump flow rate is high then will need to increase the outlet size ....vice versa.

[@jflowers8913]

The only question I have is if I open the pump all the way up it speeds up the current so how do I open it up without making my fish really tired.