How to connect Pumps, chiller & external CO2 reactor?

[windcharm]

Hi,

Would like to ask what is the best way to connect these equipment together with the least input/output pipes in the tank.

1 x eheim 2227 (flow rate of 1050 litre/hour)
1 x Aqua Bee 2000i (flow rate of 2000 litre/hour)
1 x Hailea 300A chiller
1 x CO2 external reactor

It is possible to connect the pumps in serial?
For example:
Input pipe -->AB2000i --> eheim 2227 --> chiller --> external CO2 reactor -->output to tank

The reason why I am using an additional pump is to drive the chiller but at the same time I am try to reduce the number of input and output pipes in the tank.

Just a thought, will I be able to switch off eheim 2227 and let is drive my ab2000i as I think it maybe/maybe not make too much different to the flow rate if they are connected in serial.

Please advise.

Million Thanks

With regards
Windcharm

[Shadow]

yes can if you don't care about the flow rate , make sure you remove the impeller on eheim 2227. My experience with this kind of setup is, the flow rate is reduced so much until there is not much different between AB2000i (2000 l/h) or eheim 2227 (1050 l/h). You can experiment with different setup and calculate the flow rate.

[Viper007]

yes can if you don't care about the flow rate , make sure you remove the impeller on eheim 2227. My experience with this kind of setup is, the flow rate is reduced so much until there is not much different between AB2000i (2000 l/h) or eheim 2227 (1050 l/h). You can experiment with different setup and calculate the flow rate.

Bro, how do you calculate the flowrate? Do you need a special equipment?

[Xianghao]

i think to measure you can take a container of definite volume, and channel the output into the container. measure the amount of time it takes to fill the container up and calculate based on the formula of volume/time and viola! you have your flow rate. this sounds like a science experiment..

[Viper007]

i think to measure you can take a container of definite volume, and channel the output into the container. measure the amount of time it takes to fill the container up and calculate based on the formula of volume/time and viola! you have your flow rate. this sounds like a science experiment..

Gee thanks didn't think of that!

[Shadow]

yup exactly. Use stopwatch and valve for more accurate reading, though not necessary

[windcharm]

yes can if you don't care about the flow rate , make sure you remove the impeller on eheim 2227. My experience with this kind of setup is, the flow rate is reduced so much until there is not much different between AB2000i (2000 l/h) or eheim 2227 (1050 l/h). You can experiment with different setup and calculate the flow rate.

Thanks. Which is better? If I place AB2000i before or after eheim 2227 in the the setup?

[Shadow]

Unfortunately it won't make any different.

This is what I did with mine:
Eheim 2217 (1000 l/h)
Hailea HX-6530 (1750 l/h)
Resun CL-280
External CO2 reactor

1st setup:
In -> Eheim 2217 -> Chiller -> CO2 reactor => flowrate = ~500 l/h

2nd setup
In -> Heilea HX-6530 -> Eheim 2217 -> Chiller -> CO2 => flowrate = ~560 l/h
Change the location of Heilea but flow rate still about the same. Something on the line become the bottle neck, in my case is the CO2 reactor.

In the end I separate the chiller and filter, more piping work but can't be help.

[inque]

Minimize Sharp Bends in the Hose at any point to minimize "stress"
to Pump. The Shorter the Hose the Better also.

The Chiller will actually kill the flow rate

Another "Solution" is not to use Reactors in your CO2 Setups.
Some might prefer Rector to Diffuser type

[BFG]

Place the co2 reactor 1st before the chiller. Reason being the longer length from the co2 reactor to the chiller to the tank will help the co2 to be well absorbed into the water column and the shorter length from the chiller to the tank will minimise the chilled water from absorbing heat and losing the 'coolness' of the water.

Hope this helps!

[Shadow]

How about CO2 reactor after the chiller? Reason is because cool water retain more CO2 my 2 cents, either way will do just pump more CO2 if needed, CO2 is cheap

[BFG]

You'll want the water in the tank to be cool, not the water in the reactor to be cooled.

[inque]

You'll want the water in the tank to be cool, not the water in the reactor to be cooled.

yes and no ..... Cold water retains CO2 more easily. .

putting the reactor after the chiller would in theory make the CO2
more easily absorb into your tank water.

But in the intrest of not rising the water temp
the method suggested by BFG would seem more
energy efficient

[Xianghao]

anybody connects their chiller directly to a high output pump? I am getting a chiller soon but my eheim 2213 canister filter has only 400l/h rating, whereas the chiller rating is 1200l/h. Buying a new filter with higher rating isnt really an option for me because of $$$, so is connecting the chiller directly to a pump a viable choice?

[BFG]

Xianghao, yes you can do that too but make sure that the intake pipe has a screen to prevent fish from being sucked into the pump. Run the filter on it's own.

[Xianghao]

Thanks for the advice BFG.

somehow i cannot imagine such a powerful pump in my 2 feet shrimp tank. Firstly it will be big and unsightly, and also i can imagine my shrimps being pertually sucked towards the pump. :S Too bad i am just a student.. if i had money and my own place i confirm buy a eheim pro2 filter to connect haha.