Is my pump too strong??

[Gabe]

I just purchased a mag-drive 9.5 that in optimal conditions works at rate of 950 gph, the dt is 75 g, and the sump is about 30 g, the problem is that the pumps sucks the water out of the chamber before it gets a chance to refill. Don't really know how to fix this, I played with it... (the pump) and the most that I got was 45 seconds before it sucked it dry.

 

[skene]

which chamber is being drained too quickly?
If what you are describing is that the return area is being drained, does that mean that you do not have enough water in your tank to compensate? Is your overflow slowed down by a valve?

 

[trinimaddness]

probably need a bigger overflow box in dt or a ball valve on your return line to tune the flow..i use a 9.5 on my 75 with 20 gal sump and it works fine without draining the chamber. I also have a ball valve but its fully open

 

[Gabe]

I have a ball valve fully open, the last chamber, and middle one, both.

 

[noelskii]

is this a reef ready tank? more info

 

[Gabe]

Yes it is.

 

[Gabe]

 

[Reef Fixations]

what happens when u open the B/V on your drain all the way?

 

[Buck0land]

It looks like your drain is 1" PVC which can handle about 600gph.

 

[Reef Fixations]

I've ran mag18's on a single 1" overflow without having to make adjustments so I dont think you should be having an issue.

The PVC on your drain.... how far is it from the bottom of the sump?

 

[Reef Fixations]

The B/V is only for servicing your system. You shouldn't have it partially closed in normal operating conditions.

 

[Gabe]

Iyes it's 1" the return is pretty fluid. It's the last chambers that get dry within seconds. I need to solve this soon it's been 3 days since I filled the tank and all I'm running is 2 skimmers to keep the water from going kaput!!

 

[House of Laughter]

The B/V is only for servicing your system. You shouldn't have it partially closed in normal operating conditions.

EVER!


Open the drain all the way and figure out a way to get the noise down or splash down.

950gph up in a drain pipe designed to handle 600gph down is a formula for disaster. I recommend dropping it down to a mag 7 and putting some internal current into the display via Koralia or Vortech or the like if needed.

FWIW

House

 

[Gabe]

The tube is about 16" but this is just a guesstimation, when I get home tonight I'll measure it.

 

[Reef Fixations]

nevermind....sorry i didnt realize u werent home

 

[Gabe]

Ok cooli was afraid that the pump was going to be too strong, but they recommend it to have a little more than : 75g ?10 or more...

 

[Gabe]

Thanks guys, you guys are the best.

 

[House of Laughter]

75gx10 = 750

1" drain capacity not at pressure is 600gph. I would be very careful.

House

 

[samksy]

Have you account for head loss for the return? What's the height of the return? Also, you can do a T on the return and return some water to the sump if your power head is too strOng.

 

[Gabe]

@ house, you are right I just got the wrong advise when I got the pump. @samsky I will definitely consider that.