Reutrn line from sump question

Manwolf · 10/26/2009, 08:16 PM

Hey guys, iv got a 30gallon reef that i just started friday with a 10g sump. Iv got a 296gph pump to return the water and a 300gph overflow, and when i put my hand on the return line where the water flows back in the tank i can hardly feel the pressure. Its very low. Is it suppose to be like this, or is there some problem if so what could be the problem? The aquarium is about 4feet above the pump...

AC2020x · 10/26/2009, 08:20 PM

What pump are you using? Different pumps are affected differently by how far they travel up. It is very possible due to those 4 feet, the 296 is dramatically cut down to much less. However even if it was 296 it should not be coming out very fast as thats is pretty low. I would think you should be able to feel it though.

T Man · 10/26/2009, 08:32 PM

Welcome to Reef Central Manwolf! that sounds normal, a 296gph pump with 4' of head pressure is not going to give a lot of flow. I would not rely on your return for circulation for the reef, if you don't have a powerhead, I recommend it - circulation is extremely important for a happy, healthy reef! T

Playa-1 · 10/26/2009, 08:37 PM

I suggest that you read up on headloss. There is a headloss calculator on the home page of Reef Central where you can plug in specific information about your situation. The headloss calculator will give you an idea of how much volume you can expect from your pump or a similar pump in your situation. The information on the pumps is a bit dated but It will should be able to point you in the right direction.

Manwolf · 10/26/2009, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the info guys, i do have 2 hydro koralia 1s and the flow is good, i was just wondering about the flow of the return line.

lordofthereef · 10/26/2009, 08:43 PM

Depending on the pump you are using my quess would be you are getting an actual 200-250gph return. That isn't going to feel like much at all, compared to some of the beefier pumps. You aren't using a 300gph powerhead as a return by chance are you? This can be done but it will drastically cut down the flow due to headloss.

Manwolf · 10/26/2009, 08:50 PM

No, im using Lifegard Quiet1one 1200. On the back it says the output at 4feet is 150gph. Is that too little, should i get a stronger pump?

Playa-1 · 10/26/2009, 10:23 PM

If you're getting roughly 150 gph then I would say that's about right for your return pump in that tank.

lordofthereef · 10/26/2009, 10:39 PM

agreed. That is a little more than 2 gallons per minute. What is the diameter of your return plumbing? The wider that is also the "weaker" it will feel.

Manwolf · 10/27/2009, 07:35 AM

"Quiet One 1200

* Application: Wet / Dry
* Flow Rate: 296 gph
* Inlet / Outlet: 1/2" MPT x 1/2" MPT
* Dimensions: 3.75" x 2.75" x 3.25"
* Max Head: 6.1 ft
* Power Consumption: 25.5W"

Will 2 Hydro Koralia 1s be enough flow?

Sugar Magnolia · 10/27/2009, 08:10 AM

Keep a close eye on that pump. Quiet One's are notorious for not restarting after a power loss. First hand knowledge here.

10/26/2009, 08:16 PM	#1
Manwolf Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buffalo Grove Posts: 391	Reutrn line from sump question Hey guys, iv got a 30gallon reef that i just started friday with a 10g sump. Iv got a 296gph pump to return the water and a 300gph overflow, and when i put my hand on the return line where the water flows back in the tank i can hardly feel the pressure. Its very low. Is it suppose to be like this, or is there some problem if so what could be the problem? The aquarium is about 4feet above the pump...

10/26/2009, 08:32 PM	#3
T Man ~PPPPPPP~ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Emerald City Posts: 1,045	Welcome to Reef Central Manwolf! that sounds normal, a 296gph pump with 4' of head pressure is not going to give a lot of flow. I would not rely on your return for circulation for the reef, if you don't have a powerhead, I recommend it - circulation is extremely important for a happy, healthy reef! T __________________ He that can have patience can have what he will. ~ Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: click the "TzFuture" folder in my profile

10/26/2009, 08:43 PM	#6
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Depending on the pump you are using my quess would be you are getting an actual 200-250gph return. That isn't going to feel like much at all, compared to some of the beefier pumps. You aren't using a 300gph powerhead as a return by chance are you? This can be done but it will drastically cut down the flow due to headloss. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/26/2009, 10:39 PM	#9
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	agreed. That is a little more than 2 gallons per minute. What is the diameter of your return plumbing? The wider that is also the "weaker" it will feel. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/27/2009, 08:10 AM	#11
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Keep a close eye on that pump. Quiet One's are notorious for not restarting after a power loss. First hand knowledge here. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

10/26/2009, 08:20 PM	#2
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	What pump are you using? Different pumps are affected differently by how far they travel up. It is very possible due to those 4 feet, the 296 is dramatically cut down to much less. However even if it was 296 it should not be coming out very fast as thats is pretty low. I would think you should be able to feel it though.

10/26/2009, 08:37 PM	#4
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I suggest that you read up on headloss. There is a headloss calculator on the home page of Reef Central where you can plug in specific information about your situation. The headloss calculator will give you an idea of how much volume you can expect from your pump or a similar pump in your situation. The information on the pumps is a bit dated but It will should be able to point you in the right direction.

10/26/2009, 08:42 PM	#5
Manwolf Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buffalo Grove Posts: 391	Thanks for the info guys, i do have 2 hydro koralia 1s and the flow is good, i was just wondering about the flow of the return line.

10/26/2009, 08:50 PM	#7
Manwolf Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buffalo Grove Posts: 391	No, im using Lifegard Quiet1one 1200. On the back it says the output at 4feet is 150gph. Is that too little, should i get a stronger pump?

10/26/2009, 10:23 PM	#8
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	If you're getting roughly 150 gph then I would say that's about right for your return pump in that tank.

10/27/2009, 07:35 AM	#10
Manwolf Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buffalo Grove Posts: 391	"Quiet One 1200 * Application: Wet / Dry * Flow Rate: 296 gph * Inlet / Outlet: 1/2" MPT x 1/2" MPT * Dimensions: 3.75" x 2.75" x 3.25" * Max Head: 6.1 ft * Power Consumption: 25.5W" Will 2 Hydro Koralia 1s be enough flow?