How close to the surface can I have these. Currently I have it about 6 inches from the anticipated low water level. I would like to have it more like 3". Would I have issues with it sucking air that close to the surface?
I saw those for sale on a site I was at. What do they do? Are they water intakes for the overflow? Not sure I understand their purpose. Sorry I can't help with you question.
The are inductors. They use high velosity water to drag water along with it to "induce" additional flow. Venturis are a type of inductor that are designed to suck air.
The water comes from the return pump in to an orrice that increases the velosity of the water comming out of the pipe. This high velosity water will drag more water with it, approx 5 times the pumped volume, in through the large disk open area.
Ok I think I understand. You place these on your returns and they increase flow by dragging water into the stream created by the return pump right? Does it also creat a wider flow area? These sound like a great idea. Well worth looking into. Thanks.
If you don't want the "eyesore", you can go with Mazzei eductors, which look like nozzles and don't have any extensions beyond that. You can check them out at www.mazzei.net. They're called TurboMixers.
I've got them in and need a few new elbows before putting them in my tank.