Pump help, PLEASE

WingnutSr · 08/29/2006, 07:11 PM

I am setting up a 125 AGA, will be FOWLR. I have a Little Giant MDQX-SC external return pump in the sump. It is spewing tiny bubbles into the main tank. I have verified no leaks in piping, no bubbles in return sump at all.
Could this be a bad impeller? I have also tried using the ball valves in the return line to throttle down the flow. The bubbles do slow down, but so does the flow.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
John

Billybeau1 · 08/29/2006, 07:15 PM

To Reef Central

You gotta have a leak somewhere. Something is sucking air. Make sure the water level where your return line is above the hole.

Keep looking.

prugs · 08/29/2006, 07:27 PM

The pump could be cavitating.
A restriction to the inlet of the pump/long plumbing run to the inlet compared to head pressure.
Do you have a picture of the pump plumbing?

WingnutSr · 08/30/2006, 08:19 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. Found the problem! All is good now.

08/29/2006, 07:11 PM	#1
WingnutSr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clermont Florida Posts: 463	Pump help, PLEASE I am setting up a 125 AGA, will be FOWLR. I have a Little Giant MDQX-SC external return pump in the sump. It is spewing tiny bubbles into the main tank. I have verified no leaks in piping, no bubbles in return sump at all. Could this be a bad impeller? I have also tried using the ball valves in the return line to throttle down the flow. The bubbles do slow down, but so does the flow. Any suggestions would be appreciated! John

08/29/2006, 07:27 PM	#3
prugs Moving Out Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 Posts: 4,898	The pump could be cavitating. A restriction to the inlet of the pump/long plumbing run to the inlet compared to head pressure. Do you have a picture of the pump plumbing? __________________ A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words. Current Tank Info: Getting rid of the last equipment :{

08/30/2006, 08:19 AM	#4
WingnutSr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clermont Florida Posts: 463	Thanks for the suggestions. Found the problem! All is good now. __________________ Nobody saw me do it. You can't prove a thing! Current Tank Info: 125 AGA Mixed Reef, 55 AGA sump/fuge. 160 lbs LR, Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC, Rio 2100, Seio M1500. Tunze DOC 9010 skimmer. 6 X 96watts PC lighting.

08/29/2006, 07:15 PM	#2
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	*To Reef Central* You gotta have a leak somewhere. Something is sucking air. Make sure the water level where your return line is above the hole. Keep looking.