Vincerama2
Guest
I bought an ATS filter and am puzzling over the best way to add it to the system. The simplest would be to add yet another pump to the system, but that costs power, however, I do have pumps I can use. Then I could use either the return pump and put a T in the line to steal flow from it, or tee off a drain line. At first I thought I would direct a drain line into it, but if it clogs, thats a lot of trouble Adding a Tee would allow adding a line without fear of slowing the drains or clogging them. Teeing to the return pump would be less risky, it would of course slow circulation flow back to the tank, but it would also probably increase slightly the time that the water contacts the filter since it's recirculating sump water if I'm stealing flow from the return pump.
Here's what I think;
Separate pump
============
Pros:
- Easy to plumb without disturbing current return or drain lines
- Easier maintenance ... can remove pump and filter without disturbing any thing else
- No added risk of overflowing tank
- not dependant on return pump flow
- still works if return pump is off
Cons:
- Adds to the power consumption of the tank
- Clutters sump with another pump
Tee off Drain line
=============
Pros:
- No extra pump to add
Cons:
- Have to cut into current drain line (hard PVC pipe) to add another branch
- Might add point of leaking
- A clog may or may not cause a leak, though it it's a T I don't see this happening
- flow depends on drain speed/return pump
Tee off Return pump
===============
Pros:
- Currently pump is connected to vinyl hose so adding a branch is just cutting hose, and sticking on barbed T
- No extra pump to add
- More or less equivalent to a using a smaller return pump and filter pump sort of
Cons:
- Reduces circulation flow from sump to main display
- If the return pump is off, so is the filter supply
- Possibility maybe of the line to the filter actually acting as a venturi and sucking air into the line versus pushing water out the line ?? The Tee would have to run with the pump on the center part of Tee I guess.
Having written it out, I'm now sort of leaning to adding a pump for now.
Is there anything I've forgotten? Well, I'm sure there is, but any other thoughts?
V
Here's what I think;
Separate pump
============
Pros:
- Easy to plumb without disturbing current return or drain lines
- Easier maintenance ... can remove pump and filter without disturbing any thing else
- No added risk of overflowing tank
- not dependant on return pump flow
- still works if return pump is off
Cons:
- Adds to the power consumption of the tank
- Clutters sump with another pump
Tee off Drain line
=============
Pros:
- No extra pump to add
Cons:
- Have to cut into current drain line (hard PVC pipe) to add another branch
- Might add point of leaking
- A clog may or may not cause a leak, though it it's a T I don't see this happening
- flow depends on drain speed/return pump
Tee off Return pump
===============
Pros:
- Currently pump is connected to vinyl hose so adding a branch is just cutting hose, and sticking on barbed T
- No extra pump to add
- More or less equivalent to a using a smaller return pump and filter pump sort of
Cons:
- Reduces circulation flow from sump to main display
- If the return pump is off, so is the filter supply
- Possibility maybe of the line to the filter actually acting as a venturi and sucking air into the line versus pushing water out the line ?? The Tee would have to run with the pump on the center part of Tee I guess.
Having written it out, I'm now sort of leaning to adding a pump for now.
Is there anything I've forgotten? Well, I'm sure there is, but any other thoughts?
V