Pump in tank idea.. Need Help!!

Chago09 · 02/13/2008, 02:25 PM

OK here is my thing. I need to add flow to my 75 gallon FOWLR. I don't want to drill it even more since it is a room divider. Plus PH everywhere is no good either since cables have to hang somewhere which again takes away from my room divider look.

So here is my idea. My tank has one end which is against the wall and is where my plumbing and powercords are. I have a quite one 3000 which is rated for 780 gph. I choose this one because for the amount of flow and its size it is great, plus I already have one not in use and don't want to have to buy something else. I would basically add the proper PVC fitting to attach this pump then basically put a T to split the water two ways and then just make a little tubing so that I can direct the flow where I want it.

Then I would put some live rock down against the glass on that side. Then place the pump. Then hide the pump and plumbing with more live rock stacked on top. Would this work???

Would fish get stuck and be killed by the pump?? would the pump get screwed up from sand going into it??( this is why I put it up on top of a piece of live rock, to keep it off the substrate)

capncapo · 02/13/2008, 02:31 PM

If there is any chance that sand can get into the pump, it will. Sand isn't good for the pump but can be cleaned out.

Your pump will also need occasional cleaning regardless of where it's located. Putting it in a rock pile will make it less than convenient to remove for cleaning. When things are easy to do, they get done. When they're not easy, for some reason they don't seem to get done as often as they should.

The idea will work in theory but may not be too convenient in practice.

R.W. · 02/13/2008, 02:45 PM

have u tried of placing the pump outside of the tank and using vinyl hose to suck water into the pump and then have your pvc outlet go back into the tank. It would make it much easier for cleaning and maintenance without taking up a lot of real estate in the tank.

Nanz · 02/13/2008, 03:07 PM

I thought of this same idea.. Your main reason for putting the pump inside the tank is because you have a QuietOne 3000 which must be submersed and you dont want to buy a new pump. I understand completely but it would make more sense to get an external pump like a gen-x or a sequence but they are $100 - $200. Run a closed loop with PVC. You can build one without drilling your tank.. Melev has an example of one on his site.

http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

Prometheus · 02/13/2008, 03:16 PM

The simplest solution would be to use something like this:

http://www.reefgeek.com/equipment/Pu...re_Flow_1600_w!_Maxi-Jet_1200_Pump_by_Algae_Free

I don't have one, but I've seen them in other tanks to good effect. It would still leave a bit of a footprint, but you could stick it in a corner. If you do go with the Quiet One 3000 in the tank, then just make sure you put something over the intake. Or you could stick it in it's own overflow box - nobody said the bottom had to be drilled, just stick it in the box and plumb the return back into the tank. Good luck!

Prometheus · 02/13/2008, 03:17 PM

that link didn't quite work...I was trying to link the Sure Flow 1600 w/ Maxi-Jet 1200 Pump.

02/13/2008, 02:25 PM	#1
Chago09 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Georgetown Posts: 1,132	Pump in tank idea.. Need Help!! OK here is my thing. I need to add flow to my 75 gallon FOWLR. I don't want to drill it even more since it is a room divider. Plus PH everywhere is no good either since cables have to hang somewhere which again takes away from my room divider look. So here is my idea. My tank has one end which is against the wall and is where my plumbing and powercords are. I have a quite one 3000 which is rated for 780 gph. I choose this one because for the amount of flow and its size it is great, plus I already have one not in use and don't want to have to buy something else. I would basically add the proper PVC fitting to attach this pump then basically put a T to split the water two ways and then just make a little tubing so that I can direct the flow where I want it. Then I would put some live rock down against the glass on that side. Then place the pump. Then hide the pump and plumbing with more live rock stacked on top. Would this work??? Would fish get stuck and be killed by the pump?? would the pump get screwed up from sand going into it??( this is why I put it up on top of a piece of live rock, to keep it off the substrate) __________________ Currently no tank!

02/13/2008, 02:31 PM	#2
capncapo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Florissant, MO Posts: 4,664	If there is any chance that sand can get into the pump, it will. Sand isn't good for the pump but can be cleaned out. Your pump will also need occasional cleaning regardless of where it's located. Putting it in a rock pile will make it less than convenient to remove for cleaning. When things are easy to do, they get done. When they're not easy, for some reason they don't seem to get done as often as they should. The idea will work in theory but may not be too convenient in practice. __________________ S.L.A.S.H. ............ Often imitated, never duplicated! Venture forth and enjoy life .... the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth. Current Tank Info: Which one?

02/13/2008, 02:45 PM	#3
R.W. Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 890	have u tried of placing the pump outside of the tank and using vinyl hose to suck water into the pump and then have your pvc outlet go back into the tank. It would make it much easier for cleaning and maintenance without taking up a lot of real estate in the tank. __________________ 180g FOWLR "Sun bathing on the floor next to your tank is not, in any way equivalent to spending time outdoors."

02/13/2008, 03:07 PM	#4
Nanz Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,389	I thought of this same idea.. Your main reason for putting the pump inside the tank is because you have a QuietOne 3000 which must be submersed and you dont want to buy a new pump. I understand completely but it would make more sense to get an external pump like a gen-x or a sequence but they are $100 - $200. Run a closed loop with PVC. You can build one without drilling your tank.. Melev has an example of one on his site. http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html __________________ S.G. = 1.025, Temp = 78.5, pH = 8.00 Ca = 550 ppm, Alk = 176 ppm (9.85 dKH), Mg = 1300 ppm NO3 = 0.97 ppm, PO4 = 0.07 ppm Nuvo 30, Razor Nano LED, Tunze ATO, Tunze 9004 skimmer, Vortec mp10,

02/13/2008, 03:16 PM	#5
Prometheus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 62	The simplest solution would be to use something like this: http://www.reefgeek.com/equipment/Pu...re_Flow_1600_w!_Maxi-Jet_1200_Pump_by_Algae_Free I don't have one, but I've seen them in other tanks to good effect. It would still leave a bit of a footprint, but you could stick it in a corner. If you do go with the Quiet One 3000 in the tank, then just make sure you put something over the intake. Or you could stick it in it's own overflow box - nobody said the bottom had to be drilled, just stick it in the box and plumb the return back into the tank. Good luck!

02/13/2008, 03:17 PM	#6
Prometheus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 62	that link didn't quite work...I was trying to link the Sure Flow 1600 w/ Maxi-Jet 1200 Pump.