Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Ok to build an SLO out of 1" pvc in a 150 gallon FT? Is there a good reason to go larger diameter?

Probably, going up to 1 1/4 inch might help with a potential blockage and buy you some piece of mine (at a cost though) but the 1" can handle the flow of one tank exchange per hour unless you're having quite a few turns. You should also look at some sort of cover to prevent the pipe blocking since it wouldn't take a lot for a pipe this size.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/pipe-sizing-charts-and-flow-rates.205645/

It should be based on the flow rate through your tank so that solids don't collect in the pipe and the flow rate is maintained...

so i made it w/ 1" pvc but discovered it maxed out at about 150gph. after that and it was overflowing my FT. Just an FYI for anyone considering an SLO. Ive since upped the SLO to 2" pvc so i dont have to worry about the slightest SLO restriction overflowing my FT.

Sounds like a pain IA. Sorry I got you off on the wrong foot, makes me wonder if the tables over at fish keepers are right. I suppose an air lock could have been partially blocking the pipe too . Glad the 2" is working for you and you got it squared away though.

Im running an 1 1/4" slo with a 525gph pump. It is pushing about a 1' head. No overflow or blockage to date

Bit different with gravity flow or horizontal flow without pumping superdave50. Makes a big difference in flow rates you can achieve.

Sorry if I wasn't clear Scotty, my System is a CF Chift-pist. My pump is pumping against the head to the FT and then gravity through the SLO to the GBs. I included the head height because it (obviously) affects gph, since then I checked the chart that came with the pump and it is rated 470 gph@1'. I only wanted to post my slo size for reference. while oversizing the plumbing isn't a bad idea, I don't think it's necessary.

No worries Scotty, it was an interesting exercise.