Flow has diminished

Victor1046 · 01/26/2008, 07:20 AM

I have inserted a pic of my sump (old pic) but my question is how to clean out the plumbing (please dont laugh as I don't know the proper terminology) so that the flow is stronger. Can I turn off the whole system and how do clean these connections so that the flow is stronger?

thanks would sure appreciate the help!

http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w...t=DSCN0176.jpg

Kryptikhan · 01/26/2008, 07:29 AM

my guess would be shorten that flex tubing, that circular bend is hella slowing flow down. Or, you have the wrong overflow or pump sizes. or both

Victor1046 · 01/26/2008, 07:35 AM

Thanks kryptikhan but in 8 or so months the flow is not as strong and I know for sure it needs cleaning, I just don't know how.

dsn112 · 01/26/2008, 07:36 AM

You also need to put some hose clamps on for some safety.

Victor1046 · 01/26/2008, 08:06 AM

DSN112 hose clips on?????? the hose going up into the tank?

I apologize for my lack of plumbing knowledge,,,I think it's a girl thing!

Victor1046 · 01/26/2008, 08:09 AM

Hose clamps like this?

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~FT1513.html

Victor1046 · 01/26/2008, 08:25 AM

bump

zotzer · 01/26/2008, 08:35 AM

I agree that you probably want to get the loop out of that return hose.

Anyway, remove the pump and soak it in a bucket of vinegar solution for an hour. Some use straight white vinegar, I use 50% white vinegar/50% water.

Then plug it in and run it in this solution for another hour. You might even want to get a test tube brush and clean the insides out really well, although I find just running them in the vinegar solution cleans them out pretty well.

Then run it in some clean water for a few minutes, just to rinse it out, and reinstall.

Every six months is a good schedule for pump cleaning, to keep them running at their potential.

Tracy

Victor1046 · 01/26/2008, 06:12 PM

oh it's the pump? I thought it had something to do with inside the return in the tank .....
thanks so much!!!

zotzer · 01/27/2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Victor1046
oh it's the pump? I thought it had something to do with inside the return in the tank .....
thanks so much!!!

Doesn't hurt to do that too. You can get a long "test tube" style cleaner at most LFS. It is long, flexible (tight, spring-like), with a brush on the end, designed to clean out piping and hoses.

Tracy

bmrescort · 01/27/2008, 06:07 PM

well the first thing that you need to do is get rid of that loop in the line, just run it straight into that fitting and put a hose clamp on it.

As far as cleaning out the inside of the spa flex hose- If in the normal running of your tank gunked up the inside of that hose enough to need cleaned out your tank would look like a giant mid puddle. Trust me you do not need to clean out the inside of that hose.

01/26/2008, 07:20 AM	#1
Victor1046 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delray Beach FL Posts: 427	Flow has diminished I have inserted a pic of my sump (old pic) but my question is how to clean out the plumbing (please dont laugh as I don't know the proper terminology) so that the flow is stronger. Can I turn off the whole system and how do clean these connections so that the flow is stronger? thanks would sure appreciate the help! http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w...t=DSCN0176.jpg __________________ Victoria Current Tank Info: 110Gl, 2X250 MH 2X96W ACT , PS, 2 Tom Clowns, bi-color blennie,flame angel, brain, colt, BTA, Xenia, Red & Yellow Zoe, Green Boniopora, Red Cynarina, Trumpet, Hammer Coral, mushrooms, leather,

01/26/2008, 07:29 AM	#2
Kryptikhan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North East Posts: 272	my guess would be shorten that flex tubing, that circular bend is hella slowing flow down. Or, you have the wrong overflow or pump sizes. or both __________________ 72 Bow Reef, 75 FW Planted, 90 Acrylic tank being transformed to sump. Larger Reef in works. Current Tank Info: 72g AGA Bow (Current 4x54 T5, Super Skimmer 125, Mag 7, Hydor 3's x2, Kent Hi-S 60gph, 20G Acrylic Sump/Fuge, Dual Bulkhead Overflow, 80 lbs sand, 100 lb rock)

01/26/2008, 07:35 AM	#3
Victor1046 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delray Beach FL Posts: 427	Thanks kryptikhan but in 8 or so months the flow is not as strong and I know for sure it needs cleaning, I just don't know how. __________________ Victoria Current Tank Info: 110Gl, 2X250 MH 2X96W ACT , PS, 2 Tom Clowns, bi-color blennie,flame angel, brain, colt, BTA, Xenia, Red & Yellow Zoe, Green Boniopora, Red Cynarina, Trumpet, Hammer Coral, mushrooms, leather,

01/26/2008, 07:36 AM	#4
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	You also need to put some hose clamps on for some safety. __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon

01/26/2008, 08:06 AM	#5
Victor1046 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delray Beach FL Posts: 427	DSN112 hose clips on?????? the hose going up into the tank? I apologize for my lack of plumbing knowledge,,,I think it's a girl thing! __________________ Victoria Current Tank Info: 110Gl, 2X250 MH 2X96W ACT , PS, 2 Tom Clowns, bi-color blennie,flame angel, brain, colt, BTA, Xenia, Red & Yellow Zoe, Green Boniopora, Red Cynarina, Trumpet, Hammer Coral, mushrooms, leather,

01/26/2008, 08:09 AM	#6
Victor1046 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delray Beach FL Posts: 427	Hose clamps like this? http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~FT1513.html __________________ Victoria Current Tank Info: 110Gl, 2X250 MH 2X96W ACT , PS, 2 Tom Clowns, bi-color blennie,flame angel, brain, colt, BTA, Xenia, Red & Yellow Zoe, Green Boniopora, Red Cynarina, Trumpet, Hammer Coral, mushrooms, leather,

01/26/2008, 08:25 AM	#7
Victor1046 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delray Beach FL Posts: 427	bump __________________ Victoria Current Tank Info: 110Gl, 2X250 MH 2X96W ACT , PS, 2 Tom Clowns, bi-color blennie,flame angel, brain, colt, BTA, Xenia, Red & Yellow Zoe, Green Boniopora, Red Cynarina, Trumpet, Hammer Coral, mushrooms, leather,

01/26/2008, 08:35 AM	#8
zotzer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 346	I agree that you probably want to get the loop out of that return hose. Anyway, remove the pump and soak it in a bucket of vinegar solution for an hour. Some use straight white vinegar, I use 50% white vinegar/50% water. Then plug it in and run it in this solution for another hour. You might even want to get a test tube brush and clean the insides out really well, although I find just running them in the vinegar solution cleans them out pretty well. Then run it in some clean water for a few minutes, just to rinse it out, and reinstall. Every six months is a good schedule for pump cleaning, to keep them running at their potential. Tracy

01/26/2008, 06:12 PM	#9
Victor1046 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delray Beach FL Posts: 427	oh it's the pump? I thought it had something to do with inside the return in the tank ..... thanks so much!!! __________________ Victoria Current Tank Info: 110Gl, 2X250 MH 2X96W ACT , PS, 2 Tom Clowns, bi-color blennie,flame angel, brain, colt, BTA, Xenia, Red & Yellow Zoe, Green Boniopora, Red Cynarina, Trumpet, Hammer Coral, mushrooms, leather,

01/27/2008, 06:07 PM	#11
bmrescort Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: St. Charles Posts: 378	well the first thing that you need to do is get rid of that loop in the line, just run it straight into that fitting and put a hose clamp on it. As far as cleaning out the inside of the spa flex hose- If in the normal running of your tank gunked up the inside of that hose enough to need cleaned out your tank would look like a giant mid puddle. Trust me you do not need to clean out the inside of that hose. __________________ Jerry Current Tank Info: 125 aga dual built in overflows, cherry stand and canopy, 200LBS liverock,octopus 200nw skimmer( mods), 3x250 mh 14k hamiltons,barracuda pump, 100 gallon sump in basement w 80 lbs of live sand and cheato, GEO 618 Calcium reactor w/milwaukee ph meter.