Peterpiper

I have been looking at ways to increase the total water volume for a nano tank, but without using a overflow sump system.
This is what I have been thinking, it is a closed system.
A power head pumps the water from the tank to a 8" PVC pipe located below the tank ( or behind ). The 8" pipe is around 24" long and is capped at both ends, the end caps have fittings to take the 3/8 or 1/2" tubing from the power head. From the 8" PVC pipe the water is returned back to the tank.
You will not have any issues with head height as the system is closed ( air tight ), so you can us a smaller pump.
A 8" pipe about 24" long will increase the water volume by 5g, or you could get 10g by using 2 pipes.
Any thoughts on this?

pepetj

Interesting, hope it works. I do have a couple of questions, 5gal of water weights around 40lbs. If placed behind the tank, what would sustain that weight?.

I figure that the closer to the tank top it is placed, the requirements in GPH for the pump diminish since the lift against gravity would be minimized that way. Maybe a small sized submersible heater could be placed inside the closed "PVC tank volume enhancer" if additional thermostat is used to ease its control?

Please post some pics if you manage to build it.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Peterpiper

Hi Pepi,
No loss of flow if the PVC pipe tank is below the DT.
Head pressure is measured in PSI above the pump.

pepetj

What is DT? (excuse my English, it's my second language).

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Wyphy

Perhaps I'm wrong, but isn't the 'head height' caused by gravity?
If the extra tubing has the same height for intake and outlet then I can understand that pressure wouldn't be different, but if the output is higher, then the pump would have to compensate.

Again, maybe I'm wrong, but doesn't gravity affect things (more or less) equally regardless of atmosphere?

Tavel

there's little head weight if the system is closed because the weight of the water column on the intake keeps the output from backflowing...essentially counterbalancing the pump. Think of it like a ferris wheel, the falling side helps push the rising side, so the motor doesn't have to LIFT anything.

Head weight only applies when the PUMP has to keep the water column from backflowing.

Peterpiper

Hi Pepe,
Sorry,
DT Display Tank ( main tank )
Pete