Too Much Flow through sump?

audleon · 07/16/2007, 11:23 PM

Hello all,

I am running a 40 Breeder with a 20L sump. I am using an Ocean Runner 3500 Pump going into a SCWD for my return. Do you think this is too much flow for my sump? I have a CALFO style overflow with two bulkheads out of the back of the tank. One goes to feed the main drain on the right side of the sump where I have a Tunze 9010 Skimmer, and the left drain goes into a Tee connection where I have water being trickled into the left side of the sump where my Refugium is and the rest of the Tee also going into my sump / Skimmer side. My sump is basically divided into Left Side (Refugium) / Middle (Return Pump) / Right Side (Skimmer and Drains). I have baffles in place in between the skimmer and return pump.

I have a lot of mini bubbles. Not sure if I need to change my return pump for something smaller... or if my plumbing just sucks

. If I reduce the flow from my return pump using a ball valve, the bubbles get much better, but I don't want to restrict the pump that much. I also have put a Tee on the output side of the return that will try to feed back into the skimmer side of the sump when I restrict the pump some, but again, seems like there is too much flow. Also, I used flex PVC for my drains and I have the PVC submerged in the sump. Is there a way to lessen the air being brought in by the drains?

Any suggestions?

As always, thanks for you time and knowledge.

Danny

tonyf · 07/17/2007, 12:23 AM

Hi Danny,

The sump can take whatever you want to put through it so long as it exceeds the flow through your skimmer (assuming that you pump from the sump to the skimmer) ... refugium is a different story, maybe 1.5x to 3x the volume of the display /hr but not too fast that it washes away the contents.

Divide your drain into 2 tails and put a valve on each tail to regulate flow in each direction. One tail feeds the 'fuge and the other feeds the skimmer. At best your flow will never exceed the ability of the return pump to pump it back to the display -- that is assuming that you utilise the principles of the 'weir'.

HTH,

Tone

melev · 07/17/2007, 02:17 AM

How long has this been set up? It can take up to 14 days for microbubbles to cease in new plumbing.

Putting extra water back into the skimmer section isn't a good option because that section already has microbubbles. You're increasing the flow through that section and the bubble trap, thus slingshotting the microbubbles back into the return section.

Can you raise the return section water level some? That may help. And redirect the water from the pump back into the return instead of the skimmer section. As long as you don't see microbubbles in that zone, you shouldn't see any in the display.

audleon · 07/17/2007, 10:36 AM

This is a new setup. Tank has only been running for about a week and a half and the sump has only been going for a couple days. I just need more patience

. I have added all the necessary T's and I have now move the one T-off into the pump section instead of the skimmer section. Makes great sense and also I'm assuming that the less flow through the skimmer area will also help in skimming.

Thanks again for your help and happy reefing!

Danny

oct2274 · 07/17/2007, 11:02 AM

rule of thumb for a return pump is 3-5x the displays volume.

07/16/2007, 11:23 PM	#1
audleon Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 61	Too Much Flow through sump? Hello all, I am running a 40 Breeder with a 20L sump. I am using an Ocean Runner 3500 Pump going into a SCWD for my return. Do you think this is too much flow for my sump? I have a CALFO style overflow with two bulkheads out of the back of the tank. One goes to feed the main drain on the right side of the sump where I have a Tunze 9010 Skimmer, and the left drain goes into a Tee connection where I have water being trickled into the left side of the sump where my Refugium is and the rest of the Tee also going into my sump / Skimmer side. My sump is basically divided into Left Side (Refugium) / Middle (Return Pump) / Right Side (Skimmer and Drains). I have baffles in place in between the skimmer and return pump. I have a lot of mini bubbles. Not sure if I need to change my return pump for something smaller... or if my plumbing just sucks . If I reduce the flow from my return pump using a ball valve, the bubbles get much better, but I don't want to restrict the pump that much. I also have put a Tee on the output side of the return that will try to feed back into the skimmer side of the sump when I restrict the pump some, but again, seems like there is too much flow. Also, I used flex PVC for my drains and I have the PVC submerged in the sump. Is there a way to lessen the air being brought in by the drains? Any suggestions? As always, thanks for you time and knowledge. Danny

07/17/2007, 12:23 AM	#2
tonyf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 524	Hi Danny, The sump can take whatever you want to put through it so long as it exceeds the flow through your skimmer (assuming that you pump from the sump to the skimmer) ... refugium is a different story, maybe 1.5x to 3x the volume of the display /hr but not too fast that it washes away the contents. Divide your drain into 2 tails and put a valve on each tail to regulate flow in each direction. One tail feeds the 'fuge and the other feeds the skimmer. At best your flow will never exceed the ability of the return pump to pump it back to the display -- that is assuming that you utilise the principles of the 'weir'. HTH, Tone __________________ These are my Principles ... If you don't like them, I have others -- Graucho Marx http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1650727 Current Tank Info: 500 gal reef

07/17/2007, 02:17 AM	#3
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	How long has this been set up? It can take up to 14 days for microbubbles to cease in new plumbing. Putting extra water back into the skimmer section isn't a good option because that section already has microbubbles. You're increasing the flow through that section and the bubble trap, thus slingshotting the microbubbles back into the return section. Can you raise the return section water level some? That may help. And redirect the water from the pump back into the return instead of the skimmer section. As long as you don't see microbubbles in that zone, you shouldn't see any in the display.

07/17/2007, 10:36 AM	#4
audleon Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 61	This is a new setup. Tank has only been running for about a week and a half and the sump has only been going for a couple days. I just need more patience . I have added all the necessary T's and I have now move the one T-off into the pump section instead of the skimmer section. Makes great sense and also I'm assuming that the less flow through the skimmer area will also help in skimming. Thanks again for your help and happy reefing! Danny

07/17/2007, 11:02 AM	#5
oct2274 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,347	rule of thumb for a return pump is 3-5x the displays volume.