Is my pump too strong??

[CristianD]

I don't know if you solved the problem or not but I was looking at this picture and can't tell for sure but do you have filter pads in between the two baffles b4 your return chamber? If so those get clogged pretty quickly especially in the small space. This will restrict flow into the return chamber.

Not sure if this is the case. Trying to help. Good luck

 

[BaaMNYC]

i agree with christianD. Also your return chamber is very small. i would get rid of or at least change the filter pads. its restricting the flow into that chamber.

 

[Gabe]

I wish it was running any type of media. No, that pic is from the former owner of the tank. I'm on my way home

 

[Gabe]

Hey will, yep I think so too, just putting the pump in there already takes all the space.

 

[mbg75]

Most likely not enough air getting in the Durso on the drain.

Do you get a gushing or flushing noise down the drain in the overflow box?

 

[Gabe]

Yes I do. It's kind of loud

 

[mbg75]

Most likely the air hole on the top of the drain is too small.

 

[Gabe]

. I got it running, it's a little too loud but ... It's ALIVE!!! It's alive!!! Oh man finally. Thanks guys.

 

[samksy]

. I got it running, it's a little too loud but ... It's ALIVE!!! It's alive!!! Oh man finally. Thanks guys.

What was the actual problem and what was the solution?

 

[Gabe]

Oh man where to begin ... First I played with the water levels for about an hour then I moved the level of the pump. Up, down, then I cleaned the air hole in the return pipe, then calibrated (kind of) the valve in return, and I saw the it was more fluid and finally I got to sleep for a few hours and now I'm at work tired but happy

 

[Gabe]

 

[Reef Fixations]

I don't know.how your return pump is setup but it may help.to.put an elbow on it facing down so that as your sump gets lower via evaporation, it is less likely to.suck in air with such a small return section.

Congrats Dr. Frankenstein!!! (In reference to your "It's ALIVE!" Reference)

 

[Gabe]

Ha ha, thanks, to you and everyone else.

 

[Reef Fixations]

I'm just glad it's running better for u

 

[Gabe]

My pump is out the water, so there's a hose that goes in the water.

 

[KathyC]

My pump is out the water, so there's a hose that goes in the water.

Mag Drive pumps should not be run out of the water. You will burn it out faster with your application.
Are you doing this because it won't fit into that chamber?
Any chance of removing that last baffle so that it will fit in there?

 

[KathyC]

...also...do you have a clamp on the hose we can't see attached to the Mag Drive? (the one you say is sticking in the water so the pump has less of a chance to run dry?)
If so, you need to change it to a plastic clamp. Even Stainless Steel clamps rust in our tanks, and that is not good

 

[Gabe]

Kathy c, thanks the reason I ran it like that is the heat factor, but I'm considering running it submerged. The clamp is plastic.

 

[KathyC]

Kathy c, thanks the reason I ran it like that is the heat factor, but I'm considering running it submerged. The clamp is plastic.

You really need to consider it soon before you need a new pump, they should only be run while submerged. The water in the sump will help keep the pump cool. They barely (if even) raise the temp of the tank by a single degree. Extenral pumps - which run much hotter tend to heat the water more.

Good that you have a plastic clamps on there

 

[Gabe]