Eductors

[MuddyTench]

I have just stumbled across these while researching how to re-plumb my system by uprgrading my circulating pump from an Aquabee 2000 to an OR 6500 with the aim of removing the PH's from my display.

These eductors Tank Eductors
Increase Circulation by Three Times
Without Increasing Pump Size!

Install our Tank Eductors on submerged water returns and triple your beneficial water circulation – without increasing pump size. Here’s how they work. The Eductor is installed at the discharge of the submerged pipe. Water enters the Eductor through the nozzle creating water pressure that in turn develops a vacuum, drawing additional water into its body for increased circulation.

Use Tank Eductors to create additional current that will suspend solids in aquariums, livestock tanks or ponds. Available in three sizes and made of heavy-duty plastic; very durable and easy to install.

http://www.emperoraquatics.com/images/Tank_Eductor.jpg

sounds too good to be true, they claim they can increase the flowrate of a pump by 5x! Has anyone used/tried them and if so were they as good as claimed?

If they are then maybe I don't need to upgrade my pump and can continue to use the Aquabee 2000 with an eductor on the outlet pipe?

Any advice on the pro's & con's of using these would be very much welcomed.
Cheers.

[mad pierre]

I can see the idea behind them. If you have ever watched particles of food or even bubbles go near the outlet of a fast moving water flow then you will have seen it get dragged into the flow and blasted along with the rest of the water.
The principle of these is the same with the extra water thats dragged in being directed down the funnel.
Only thing is that water would be moved anyway, just not so directional.
If you are considering putting them on your return pump then be aware they will probably have to create back pressure in order to genetare the turbine effect in the water, and that would mean reduced flow rates through your sump.

JMO

Peter

[Timo]

DIY Eductor

ok this may be one of the easiest DIY projects i have ever done. i have made 3 different sizes. 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. they seem to be working but i would like someone else to give them a try. i am running the 1/4 and 3/8 right now on a mag 12. i know this can pump out enough and they do seem to be working. the 1/2 is on my quiet one. this also seems to be working to some extent. the problem is i can not tell whether it is actually pumping more volume or just pushed the velocity way up.

they are only composed of 3 pieces. i was able to find all of them at Lowe's. no glue is required! only drilling some inlet holes for the water.

Parts list 1/4":
1/4"X1/2" nylon barb to MIP adaptor A-193B made by Watts
1/2"X1/2" slip to FPT coupler PVC
1/2"X3/4" MPT to slip adaptor PVC

Parts list 3/8":
3/8"X1/2" nylon barb to MIP adaptor A-300 made by Watts
1/2"X1/2" slip to FPT coupler PVC
1/2"X3/4" MPT to slip adaptor PVC

Parts list 1/2":
1/2"X1/2" nylon barb to MIP adaptor A-387 made by Watts
3/4"X3/4" slip to FPT coupler PVC
3/4"X3/4" MPT to slip adaptor PVC

i think the 3/8" works the best. i think the barb fits in the nozzle better.

i am curious on the 1/4". if it will work on smaller pumps. it should require less back pressure to be effective. this may be usefull for some smaller pumps that can not push a 10' pump height.

construction is simple, and the same for all 3. the coupler is the nozzle extension. this acts as a longer travel area so that the pumped water will pull more water from behind the barb. the non barb adaptor is drilled in order to allow the water be pulled in by the barb. i drilled 8 holes each 3/8" in diameter. this is the cool part. the barb adaptor fits perfectly inside the drilled adaptor. the barb sticks into the MPT part of the adaptor. i have tried cutting of a section of the barb to see if it helps and it seems to. right now i have it so the barb ends where the MPT part of the adaptor starts. that is it! just use whatever adaptors you need to get the 1/2"MPT part of the eductor into your system. i am pretty sure the total cost of each of these is under $2!

i would like some feedback on your experiences here. i am still trying to decide where the crossover point is between just increasing velocity of the water and actually drawing more flow. i know i am getting more total flow in the tank. all my stonies have opened up more!

the construction pics are of the 1/2" version.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l302/SiTimo/1-2together.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l302/SiTimo/1-2apart.jpg

Credits go to Geoff

[Timo]

the 3/8" one. this one is complete and seems to be working the best out of all of them. i have not tried the 1/2" though on the mag 12. the mag 12 can push more head pressure than the quiet one.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l302/SiTimo/3-8.jpg

[Timo]

the 1/2" one. the reason this one is on the Quiet One is this CL has a valve on it so i can adjust the two outlets. right now i have the valve almost completely closed. when the valve is completely closed i can pust some water through this eductor. this is the one i am having the hardest time decided if it is the eductor actually working or just an increase in water velocity. no coments please about the number of adaptors i had to use to get it connected to my CLS.http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/smilies/smile.gif

thanks for looking, please give feedback if you try it. i think it is well work the $2. considering a store bought eductor is $30! i can definately tell the fish are having to swim more in the tank!


http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l302/SiTimo/1-2.jpg

[Timo]

1/4" one without the nozzle extension. i forgot to buy an another coupler.http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/smilies/rolleyes.gif i removed 3 of the barbs on this one. this is how i decided it works best when the barb ends right where it enters the adaptor.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l302/SiTimo/1-4.jpg

[Timo]

I have been thinking about making one of these for a while but my flow pump broke so i ended up buying a koralia pump but by all accounts they do work and increase flow.

[moorish]

they seem to good to be true,i would like to see one working before i would use one.derek

[cl0wn]

cool project, think i may have to give this one a go.....

[cl0wn]

surely these parts could be found in the UK?

[Timo]

surely these parts could be found in the UK?Yeah plumbing places might be a good place to start looking or maybe search the net or ebay even. Sure someone will find them or similar :confused:.

Still its a cheapo style prodject :D i might try to make a mini one for my nano :).

[cl0wn]

gonna have a tinker tomorrow with some bit and pieces!!!

[MuddyTench]

Thanks for all the replies guys, these are obviously worth further investigation!

Is anyone out there actually using these or had first hand experience of them?

There must be a reason for there lack of take up in the hobby if they can increase water flow by upto to 5x then why are we all using expensive/ugly PH's in our displays?

Call me cynical but I have my doubts that they can perform as well as described.:confused:

[cl0wn]

right, after nipping over to the darkside to use their uploader :p (i've run out of room on here!!) finally managed to get the pics done!!!

had a bit of a tinker about with my box of bits, and have a go at making an eductor, see if i could get a bit of extra flow.

here's the parts i used

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/DSCF1709 (Small).JPG

large tubing drilled with a load of holes (don't want to baffle anyone with my technical terms!!) some spair adapter bits from a hydor flow, and a bit of pipe!!!

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/DSCF1711 (Small).JPG


this is how they fit together!! it does actually work!! you can feel the water being sucked into the holes. just stuck it on one of the outlet on the circulation chamber on the perc 90, and you can also see the 5h1te being kicked up fro the bottom. suggestions / comments appreciated

[Timo]

Nice work cl0wn if you flare the outlet side it will make the stream wider and if you made that part longer it should make it travel further.

[cl0wn]

cheers for the tip timo. have replace the whit pipe with a larger longer piece chopped off a 45 degree bend.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/DSCF1712 (Small).JPG

as it looks in the tank

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/DSCF1713 (Small).JPG

does indeed increase flow even more. i reckon it's increased flow from that pump by about 30 - 40% (ish!)

how far past the holes should the tip of the reducer be, do you reckon timo?

[cl0wn]

had a brain wave when i was getting a beer from the fridge. took the top off a water bottle and attached. slightly wider than the pipe and flared. forced the mrs to drink the full litre!!! clearer than the pipe also so is less noticable, can't get any in tank pics cos the halide has gone out, but works even better!!!

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/DSCF1715 (Small).JPG

[dollydip]

i have to say peter your the tank diy dude mate youu always do the job :D:D

[cl0wn]

lol its my magic bag of bits!!!

[MuddyTench]

Fantastic Cl0wn, that is a great effort, I will definitely have to have a go at making some myself if, as have you seem to have proved, they do exactly as they say on the tin!:)

[cl0wn]

will continue to tinker with it tomorrow, as adjustments may make it perform slightly better, but thanks for the kind words.

[Timo]

had a brain wave when i was getting a beer from the fridge. took the top off a water bottle and attached. slightly wider than the pipe and flared. forced the mrs to drink the full litre!!! clearer than the pipe also so is less noticable, can't get any in tank pics cos the halide has gone out, but works even better!!!

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/DSCF1715%20%28Small%29.JPGLooks spot on m8. Its great when you can use everyday stuff like your bottle idea. I have bottle of vittle min water cut in half in my Ratz skimmer been working great the past month.