Routing air

[GraphicGr8s]

So the fish house is 14' x 20'. There is a room inside on the back left that is about 5' x 13'. You can see that in the thread on the fish house. The main area has 14 tanks on the rack in the other picture and more tanks on the opposite wall. Can you do straight runs or is a loop best?

[BallAquatics]

It generally thought that a loop is best for even air distribution and wear & tear on your pump.

Dennis

[GraphicGr8s]

Dennis what is the reasoning behind that? No. For once I am not being smart. I want to know. I've not done a central pump before. I've also never had so many tanks (and filters) running My max was 20 back in a 3 room apartment.

[BallAquatics]

The primary benefit of a loop is that air pressure is maintained evenly in a system that does not have any dead ends.  With even pressure through out the loop, adjustments to one valve will not affect all the others.

You might also want to install a pressure gauge and a bleed-off valve in your loop.  If you bleed off any excess air, lowering the total system pressure, your pump will be much happier and live a longer life with less maintenance needed.

Dennis

[LizStreithorst]

A loop is recomemded but I don't use a loop and have no complaints.

[Mugwump]

Mine's not looped either....but it is "T"d in the middle where my pump is at....

[LizStreithorst]

Mine's like yours, Mug.

[GraphicGr8s]

Makes sense Dennis. Now to figure out how to get a loop in that room. Well that and buy the  pump.

[JC]

I've ran a loop before and now I have a straight shot. Only difference I notice between the two is like Dennis said if you adjust one valve you'll see a difference on another which only happened once to me. Other than that one instance I feel like there's no difference. I've always heard a loop is better for all the reasons Dennis mentioned but mine works like a charm

[BillT]

A loop will allow your air system to supply air to a valve from two directions.
This makes less of a pressure difference at the valve, if you change other valves (within limits).

You could probably get a very similar effect by using a larger supply valve.
The larger pipe size will reduce the pipe's resistance to air flow .
This will reduce the pressure drops from valve to valve.

You could also run a loop by having both sides of the loop running parallel to each other and have them join at the end.

[GraphicGr8s]

A loop will allow your air system to supply air to a valve from two directions.
This makes less of a pressure difference at the valve, if you change other valves (within limits).

You could probably get a very similar effect by using a larger supply valve.
The larger pipe size will reduce the pipe's resistance to air flow .
This will reduce the pressure drops from valve to valve.

You could also run a loop by having both sides of the loop running parallel to each other and have them join at the end.

That was along the lines I was thinking. A loop doesn't always have to be round.

[BallAquatics]

A loop doesn't always have to be round.

Ain't that the truth.....  You should see mine, it goes down one end of the racks across and then back up the other and off to the next rack to repeat the process.  LOL  But, if you straighten it all out, it's a continuous loop.

Dennis

[GraphicGr8s]

So last night I pulled the trigger on the AP100. Question now is what size pipe? 1/2 or 3/4 pvc?

[Mugwump]

I think that you'll find that most use at least 3/4" , with some using even 1"......I don't use PVC...I'm sure others will chime in....

[BallAquatics]

I use 3/4 in the whole fish room.  The pump has a 3/4 outlet.....



Dennis