New return pump questions.....Need Help!!

capspath83 · 12/17/2013, 07:57 PM

Hey All,

So here is my question, right now I am running an Eheim Compact+ 5000 Pump as my return pump into the display and I have about 1.5" of empty space to play with from the top of the glass. The head height is a little over 6ft and I have the pump on its highest setting. It doesn't really look right to the eye because it is a rimless with alot of empty space at eye level. I want to get more waterflow in the display from the return nozzles. After writing to deep blue about this they informed me of the following: "Our reef ready models have a flow rating of up to 600-GPH, and we believe your pump is not providing enough supply to maintain a higher waterline. The data we have on the Eheim 5000C shows a max flow of 396-GPH at two meters (see below).

Eheim Compact+ Pumps

Eheim Compact+2000 - 32W 3m
Eheim Compact+3000 - 55W 3m
Eheim Compact+5000 - 86W 3m

With this said, I am looking to get a new return pump for Christmas and am looking for suggestions because I am not sure what I should do here. I like Eheims as they are quiet and efficient so I would like to stick with the brand.

Any assistance with this would be great!

Best,

Robert

Mark Bianco · 12/17/2013, 09:42 PM

Robert,

When dealing with centrifugal pumps it is always best to oversize and valve back the flow. I do not know the physics but I have read many times over these pumps will run more efficiently valved back. IMHO Get the 5000

Rbs07fxstc · 12/17/2013, 09:57 PM

I use the eheim compact 5000 pump on my 56g tank. I run it on a manifold with, fuge, skimmer & pellet reactor plus the return throttled back by a gate valve. It's rated from 660-1321 gph. It's an adjustable pump, do you have the valve opened up all the way? It's got a dial on the side to turn it up.

moondoggy4 · 12/17/2013, 10:04 PM

Eheim 1262 how big is this tank?

capspath83 · 12/18/2013, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rbs07fxstc

I use the eheim compact 5000 pump on my 56g tank. I run it on a manifold with, fuge, skimmer & pellet reactor plus the return throttled back by a gate valve. It's rated from 660-1321 gph. It's an adjustable pump, do you have the valve opened up all the way? It's got a dial on the side to turn it up.

Thanks Rbs...I do not have a gate valve on mine...because I thought that I got a pump that was overrated for my tank and that had a valve on it internally so if I needed to throttle it down, there would be no issues. I have the valve opened up to straight up and down (as far as it can go).

Here is a pic of the setup.....

Here is a pic of the outcome....

capspath83 · 12/18/2013, 07:48 AM

when looking at other rimless tanks, I see that the water level is significantly higher than mine

Rbs07fxstc · 12/18/2013, 11:32 AM

I would take front cover off of pump & check the sponge filter & just make sure nothing is blocked. Something isn't right. But a gate valve should be used on any over rated pump. Hate valve has much more precise tuning than the one on the pump. It doesn't even look like your tank is running.

Rbs07fxstc · 12/18/2013, 11:41 AM

How many gallons is this tank? You might need to contact eheim if you don't see anything wrong internally with the pump.

capspath83 · 12/18/2013, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rbs07fxstc

How many gallons is this tank? You might need to contact eheim if you don't see anything wrong internally with the pump.

I have cleaned the inside sponge with some water during a water change and it is as clean as it could be.

the tank is 75 gallons with a 29 gallon sump.

the only thing that I can think of is maybe cutting the hose a little more to get rid of some of the slack and reduce the head height but a few inches.

12/17/2013, 07:57 PM	#1
capspath83 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 80	New return pump questions.....Need Help!! Hey All, So here is my question, right now I am running an Eheim Compact+ 5000 Pump as my return pump into the display and I have about 1.5" of empty space to play with from the top of the glass. The head height is a little over 6ft and I have the pump on its highest setting. It doesn't really look right to the eye because it is a rimless with alot of empty space at eye level. I want to get more waterflow in the display from the return nozzles. After writing to deep blue about this they informed me of the following: "Our reef ready models have a flow rating of up to 600-GPH, and we believe your pump is not providing enough supply to maintain a higher waterline. The data we have on the Eheim 5000C shows a max flow of 396-GPH at two meters (see below). Eheim Compact+ Pumps Eheim Compact+2000 - 32W 3m Eheim Compact+3000 - 55W 3m Eheim Compact+5000 - 86W 3m With this said, I am looking to get a new return pump for Christmas and am looking for suggestions because I am not sure what I should do here. I like Eheims as they are quiet and efficient so I would like to stick with the brand. Any assistance with this would be great! Best, Robert

12/17/2013, 09:57 PM	#3
Rbs07fxstc Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Bartow, Fla Posts: 425	New return pump questions.....Need Help!! I use the eheim compact 5000 pump on my 56g tank. I run it on a manifold with, fuge, skimmer & pellet reactor plus the return throttled back by a gate valve. It's rated from 660-1321 gph. It's an adjustable pump, do you have the valve opened up all the way? It's got a dial on the side to turn it up. Last edited by Rbs07fxstc; 12/17/2013 at 10:03 PM.

12/17/2013, 09:42 PM	#2
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	Robert, When dealing with centrifugal pumps it is always best to oversize and valve back the flow. I do not know the physics but I have read many times over these pumps will run more efficiently valved back. IMHO Get the 5000

12/17/2013, 10:04 PM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Eheim 1262 how big is this tank?

12/18/2013, 07:48 AM	#6
capspath83 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 80	when looking at other rimless tanks, I see that the water level is significantly higher than mine

12/18/2013, 11:32 AM	#7
Rbs07fxstc Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Bartow, Fla Posts: 425	I would take front cover off of pump & check the sponge filter & just make sure nothing is blocked. Something isn't right. But a gate valve should be used on any over rated pump. Hate valve has much more precise tuning than the one on the pump. It doesn't even look like your tank is running.

12/18/2013, 11:41 AM	#8
Rbs07fxstc Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Bartow, Fla Posts: 425	How many gallons is this tank? You might need to contact eheim if you don't see anything wrong internally with the pump.