Too much pump / how do I cut back

Xubar · 04/03/2008, 09:11 AM

I bought this setup used and he had the pump in the basement. I now have the pump about 8-10 higher than he had it so it's really blasting away.

The pump is an Iwaki 70 and it's plumbed to a couple 1/2" sea swirls on top of the tank. When it's plugged in, it really pushes a lot of water back to the display and it seems like the overflows can't keep up.

Is there anything obvious that I'm missing to correct this?

cdbias2 · 04/03/2008, 09:16 AM

You've got the valves, use them and turn down that pump down till flow is at an aceptable level.

nauticac4 · 04/03/2008, 09:17 AM

How big are the overflows? If you do need the throttle the pump back you can put a gate valve in that will allow you to adjust. It will put back pressure on the pump which isn't ideal but its what I have done with me Eheim 1262 and haven't seen any ill effects

DrBDC · 04/03/2008, 09:29 AM

You already have the valves on the output of the Iwaki 40(?) and the Iwaki 70 that I see in the pic, just turn them down a little. Don't cut back the input to the pumps. The Iwaki's will just think they have a little higher head pressure which they respond very well to.

Xubar · 04/03/2008, 09:33 AM

Yes, I can certainly partially shut the valve just above the pump and cut it back, but have read that's not good for the pump.

Overflows are 1.5"

DrBDC · 04/03/2008, 09:35 AM

You can restrict the output, just not the input. It has the same effect as having higher head pressure.

Xubar · 04/03/2008, 09:35 AM

The Iwaki 50 is running the closed loop. I guess I can close the valve a little on the 70 until it all equals out.

Xubar · 04/03/2008, 09:39 AM

Thanks for the quick advice, and yes, it was obvious - that's what I was looking for!

04/03/2008, 09:11 AM	#1
Xubar Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 301	Too much pump / how do I cut back I bought this setup used and he had the pump in the basement. I now have the pump about 8-10 higher than he had it so it's really blasting away. The pump is an Iwaki 70 and it's plumbed to a couple 1/2" sea swirls on top of the tank. When it's plugged in, it really pushes a lot of water back to the display and it seems like the overflows can't keep up. Is there anything obvious that I'm missing to correct this?

04/03/2008, 09:17 AM	#3
nauticac4 Baby Fish Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,237	How big are the overflows? If you do need the throttle the pump back you can put a gate valve in that will allow you to adjust. It will put back pressure on the pump which isn't ideal but its what I have done with me Eheim 1262 and haven't seen any ill effects __________________ Put Wings on it and Let it Fly!!! PBITAWA !!! Current Tank Info: 180 Cube 3x3x3. 29Gallon Sump 20 Gallon Fuge (1) Lumenarc Reflector w. 250W ARO Ballast and - Modded GS1 Skimmer - Eheim 1262 Return - Vortech MP40W and Swirler Stein

04/03/2008, 09:29 AM	#4
DrBDC Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ballwin, Missouri Posts: 10,358	You already have the valves on the output of the Iwaki 40(?) and the Iwaki 70 that I see in the pic, just turn them down a little. Don't cut back the input to the pumps. The Iwaki's will just think they have a little higher head pressure which they respond very well to. __________________ Some drink at the fountain of knowledge, some just gargle, but most are rabid. Current Tank Info: 180g sps+75 softy/lps on one system tunze's, seio's, mjmods, aquacontroller w/add ons, 2X400 XM10000 and 3X160 vho actinic, 110g sump, 110 frag tank, Geo Beckett and other stuff

04/03/2008, 09:35 AM	#6
DrBDC Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ballwin, Missouri Posts: 10,358	You can restrict the output, just not the input. It has the same effect as having higher head pressure. __________________ Some drink at the fountain of knowledge, some just gargle, but most are rabid. Current Tank Info: 180g sps+75 softy/lps on one system tunze's, seio's, mjmods, aquacontroller w/add ons, 2X400 XM10000 and 3X160 vho actinic, 110g sump, 110 frag tank, Geo Beckett and other stuff

04/03/2008, 09:16 AM	#2
cdbias2 Appalachian Reef Society Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alum Creek, WV (No more) Posts: 1,433	You've got the valves, use them and turn down that pump down till flow is at an aceptable level.

04/03/2008, 09:33 AM	#5
Xubar Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 301	Yes, I can certainly partially shut the valve just above the pump and cut it back, but have read that's not good for the pump. Overflows are 1.5"

04/03/2008, 09:39 AM	#8
Xubar Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 301	Thanks for the quick advice, and yes, it was obvious - that's what I was looking for!