Too much pump?

reeferhabit · 02/04/2008, 04:15 PM

I just installed a new pump on my 54g cornertank, but the pump is causing the my sump to drain too fast. There is a wirlpool effect above the bulkhead, which is causing bubbles in my display.

I have even "T" off the return hose sending some of the flow back into the sump.

My pump is an external coralife (790gph) and I have about four feet of head.

What can I do to fix this?
If I put a ball valve before the pump, reducing the amount of water flowing back into the pump, would that help?

jubjub · 02/04/2008, 04:36 PM

wow first i would say probably not a problem with the pump i was running a mag 9.5(950gph) in my 55gallon with out a problem of draining out... maybe you need to fill your sump up a little higher then you normally would....

on a side note just thinking about it, its probably that your drain on the tank is to small for the amount of water your pump is pushing how big is the drain?

rbursek · 02/04/2008, 04:45 PM

You do not want to restrict the water to the pump suction, you need to balance the flow to the tank with what is coming back or add more water to your sump.
Bob

BlakDuc · 02/04/2008, 04:45 PM

Don't restrict the intake of the pump, this is a great way to burn it up. You can restrict the output of the pump to get a slower flow through your sump. I agree that you probably should raise your level in your sump along with slowing the flow some.

reeferhabit · 02/04/2008, 04:50 PM

jub- My drain hose is probably about 1.5. I am wondering if I used another Utube if that would help drain my display faster.

Unfortunately I can not add more water to my sump because after two minutes running the water goes to the brim of the display tank and the sump's water lever is at the bottom.

BlakDuc · 02/04/2008, 05:33 PM

Are you using an overflow box or is your tank drilled? If you are using a box, make sure that there is no air in it. Also make sure that there are no restrictions in the pipe.

reeferhabit · 02/04/2008, 06:14 PM

Blackduc- I have an overflow box on my display. Their is no air bubbles in the Utube and no restriction in the drain hose, which drip on top of my my bioballs.

How about using a 2nd Utube? has anyone heard of this done before.

DarG · 02/04/2008, 07:27 PM

If your Utube is the limiting factor in how much flow can drain to your sump then adding a second U tube could help. If the actual drain line down to the sump is too small to keep up with the pump, then a second U tube will not help.

What size is the drain to the sump, for sure?

What size is the u tube you have now?

Do you have room to add a sceond U tube right next to the one that is there? It needs to be in the same center area if your overflow is sectioned (U tube sits in its own divided center section) so that it does not lose siphon if the power fails.

reeferhabit · 02/04/2008, 09:17 PM

The drain to the sump is actuallly 1" and the Utube is the same.

I would actually have room to put another Utube, but my concern is that it would put too much water in the overflow box that It might flood.

I guess I will go and buy a Utube tomorrow and give it a try

02/04/2008, 04:15 PM	#1
reeferhabit Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boynton beach, FL Posts: 340	Too much pump? I just installed a new pump on my 54g cornertank, but the pump is causing the my sump to drain too fast. There is a wirlpool effect above the bulkhead, which is causing bubbles in my display. I have even "T" off the return hose sending some of the flow back into the sump. My pump is an external coralife (790gph) and I have about four feet of head. What can I do to fix this? If I put a ball valve before the pump, reducing the amount of water flowing back into the pump, would that help?

02/04/2008, 04:36 PM	#2
jubjub Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: vacaville, cali Posts: 2,698	wow first i would say probably not a problem with the pump i was running a mag 9.5(950gph) in my 55gallon with out a problem of draining out... maybe you need to fill your sump up a little higher then you normally would.... on a side note just thinking about it, its probably that your drain on the tank is to small for the amount of water your pump is pushing how big is the drain? __________________ "The world holds two classes of men - intelligent men without religion, and religious men without intelligence." - Abu Ala Al-Maari

02/04/2008, 04:45 PM	#4
BlakDuc Fragger Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Waldorf, MD Posts: 4,518	Don't restrict the intake of the pump, this is a great way to burn it up. You can restrict the output of the pump to get a slower flow through your sump. I agree that you probably should raise your level in your sump along with slowing the flow some. __________________ Joe Cude Current Tank Info: IM Fusion 40

02/04/2008, 05:33 PM	#6
BlakDuc Fragger Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Waldorf, MD Posts: 4,518	Are you using an overflow box or is your tank drilled? If you are using a box, make sure that there is no air in it. Also make sure that there are no restrictions in the pipe. __________________ Joe Cude Current Tank Info: IM Fusion 40

02/04/2008, 04:45 PM	#3
rbursek Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: germantown,wi Posts: 2,339	You do not want to restrict the water to the pump suction, you need to balance the flow to the tank with what is coming back or add more water to your sump. Bob

02/04/2008, 04:50 PM	#5
reeferhabit Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boynton beach, FL Posts: 340	jub- My drain hose is probably about 1.5. I am wondering if I used another Utube if that would help drain my display faster. Unfortunately I can not add more water to my sump because after two minutes running the water goes to the brim of the display tank and the sump's water lever is at the bottom.

02/04/2008, 06:14 PM	#7
reeferhabit Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boynton beach, FL Posts: 340	Blackduc- I have an overflow box on my display. Their is no air bubbles in the Utube and no restriction in the drain hose, which drip on top of my my bioballs. How about using a 2nd Utube? has anyone heard of this done before.

02/04/2008, 07:27 PM	#8
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	If your Utube is the limiting factor in how much flow can drain to your sump then adding a second U tube could help. If the actual drain line down to the sump is too small to keep up with the pump, then a second U tube will not help. What size is the drain to the sump, for sure? What size is the u tube you have now? Do you have room to add a sceond U tube right next to the one that is there? It needs to be in the same center area if your overflow is sectioned (U tube sits in its own divided center section) so that it does not lose siphon if the power fails.

02/04/2008, 09:17 PM	#9
reeferhabit Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boynton beach, FL Posts: 340	The drain to the sump is actuallly 1" and the Utube is the same. I would actually have room to put another Utube, but my concern is that it would put too much water in the overflow box that It might flood. I guess I will go and buy a Utube tomorrow and give it a try