Skippy Filter Builders, HELP!

[don't ask]

One more important point. Use as few angles as possible, substitute 45's or 22.5 for 90's. Better yet use flex hose if in the budget, it is expensive though compared to PVC

 

[Shdwdrgn]

What you need to consider is the actual area of each pipe. For example a 1" pipe has an area of 0.78", where a 2" pipe has an area of 3.14". You don't have to automatically double the pipe size to get double the capacity, but it doesn't hurt anything to go too large. Also keep in mind that a single 4" pipe carries a MUCH larger volume than two 2" pipes.

What flow rate are you planning on using through your filter? Under pressure, you can push 3600gph through your 1.25" pipe, but once it loses pressure inside the filter, the water will not flow back out the outlet pipes at the same rate. If you want to push the full 3600gph through your filter (not recommended), then a 4" outlet pipe should work. If you cut the flow rate back to 2500gph or less, then a 3" outlet pipe would be fine.

 

[brandonsdad02]

I have a 100 skippy with a 1 1/4" inlet pipe with a 4" outlet. I have a 3600 gph pump and I'm having no problems at all. My water is crystal clear. I about 12 fish with 5 large koi and a 4" red ear slider turtle.

 

[DrCase]

I run around 600 gph through each of my 55 gal drums
They all have 2" outlets and 1 1/2 " inlets
I use a valve to control the water flow going in to each filter and set it so my 2" outlet is just under water in the filter

 

[27goldfish]

I have figured out the head and friction loss on the pump I am getting. I will be running 1500 - 1800 gpm through the pump. This is with those 2 losses already figured in. Here is the pump I am going to buy, unless someone has had past problems with them: It is the first one on the page.

http://www.webbsonline.com/littlegiant.html

In the original plan I had drawn up, most of the output 90's were 45's. I wasn't sure how that would work uot, thus the 90's. Sounds like 45's would be better. I have a consideral population in my pond. Around 25-30 fish (mostly comets and koi) with about 9 water lillies. MY pond is 1500 gallons. That is why I am trying to run so much through this filter. With the price of full whiskey barrels, I am wanting to be almost 100% confident with my design before I get out the hole saw and start on this!!

 

[Shdwdrgn]

My experience with using Little Giant pumps on large fish tanks is that they will run until they drop dead, and then run a little while longer. Appears to be a very solid pump for the money. However from what I have read online, and including the type of pumps I have, Little Giant external pumps run very hot... So hot that you will not want to put your hand on them. Apparently this is normal and does not affect their longevity. It looks like the pump you linked is a submersible, so this probably will not be an issue for you.

 

[27goldfish]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[Sheetmetalman]

I'm like Brandonsdad--I run a 3600 gph pump from my skimmer thru a 2" pipe to my 100 gallon skippy filter--I also did like Don't Ask and have as few 90 degree elbows as possible to prevent to much water pressure loss due to back pressure (although if you upsize your pump outlet pipeing like I did to 2" you should'nt have much backpressure losses on your pressure). Anyway I have clear water to the bottom(5+ foot deep) and it flows out of 2 shower drains( I used them as bulkheads) in the skippy filter, thru 2, 2" short pipes to my waterfall and back into the pond. I have 35 fish ranging from 3" to 7" and a 5000 gallon pond(14'x15'x 5+' deep) and the only problem I ever have is fighting ugly excessive string algae some times--usually on the waterfall and the big rocks under the waterfall, Tim