Aquarium Bulkhead Tests
Bonus content from the July 2009 FAMA magazine article Go With the Flow.
By
Mike Kirkman and Scott Vallembois
Results:
These results demonstrate that a:
2 inch bulkhead will flow approximately 1350 GPH
1 1/2 inch bulkhead will flow approximately 975 GPH
1 inch bulkhead will flow approximately 350 GPH
3/4 inch bulkhead will flow approximately 165 GPH
|
Bulkhead Test Data |
| Bulkhead Size (Inches) |
Time (Seconds) |
Flow (gph) |
Notes |
| 2 |
133 |
1353 |
|
| 2 |
132 |
1364 |
|
| 2 |
122 |
1475 |
A siphon effect occurred for a portion of the trial |
| 2 |
133 |
1353 |
|
| 2 |
130 |
1385 |
|
| 2 |
143 |
1259 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run |
| 2 |
142 |
1269 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run |
| 2 |
139 |
1295 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run |
| 2 |
142 |
1268 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run |
| 2 |
171 |
1052 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer |
| 2 |
169 |
1065 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer |
| 2 |
175 |
1029 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer |
| 2 |
171 |
1052 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer |
| 1 1/2 |
184 |
978 |
|
| 1 1/2 |
184 |
978 |
|
| 1 1/2 |
187 |
963 |
|
| 1 1/2 |
182 |
989 |
|
| 1 1/2 |
215 |
837 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run |
| 1 1/2 |
213 |
845 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run |
| 1 1/2 |
215 |
837 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run |
| 1 1/2 |
217 |
829 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run |
| 1 1/2 |
259 |
695 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer |
| 1 1/2 |
245 |
734 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer |
| 1 1/2 |
255 |
705 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer |
| 1 1/2 |
247 |
729 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer |
| 1 |
188 |
957 |
A siphon effect occurred for the entire trial |
| 1 |
535 |
336 |
|
| 1 |
489 |
368 |
|
| 1 |
371 |
485 |
A siphon effect occurred for a portion of the trial |
| 1 |
475 |
379 |
|
| 1 |
500 |
360 |
|
| 1 |
515 |
350 |
|
| 1 |
562 |
320 |
|
| 1 |
567 |
317 |
|
| 1 |
564 |
319 |
|
| 1 |
557 |
323 |
|
| 1 |
1120 |
159 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer |
| 1 |
1051 |
171 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer |
| 1 |
1110 |
162 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer |
| 1 |
1102 |
163 |
Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer |
| 3/4 |
489 |
368 |
A siphon effect occurred for a portion of the trial |
| 3/4 |
1084 |
166 |
|
| 3/4 |
368 |
489 |
A siphon effect occurred for the entire trial |
| 3/4 |
1094 |
165 |
|
| 3/4 |
1094 |
165 |
|
Want to read the full story? Pick up the July 2009 issue of Freshwater And Marine Aquarium, or subscribe to get 12 months of articles just like this.