Couple PVC and sump questions?

danb73 · 09/12/2012, 01:38 PM

I picked up some PVC pipe from HD last night and it had red and black lettering all over it and I was just wondering if this might be an issue when submerged in the sump and overflow box.

My other question is the return line. I am using a Mag 7 pump for the return and the outlet diameter is 1/2". If I use a converter to 3/4" pipe do you think I will have any issues with resistance. The display is a 40 breeder and the sump is a 29 G do you think I will have to much flow through the sump?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

billdogg · 09/12/2012, 02:51 PM

The writing on the pipes won't hurt a thing. If it bugs you, it will come right off with a little pvc cleaner. Is for the flow through the sump - regardless of the pump used or the diameter of the pipe, you should have a valve (gate or ball) on the return line from the sump to contorl the flow anyway. Dial it in to whatever works best. Restricting the flow will not damage the pump in any way.

CarlitosReef · 09/13/2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

The writing on the pipes won't hurt a thing. If it bugs you, it will come right off with a little pvc cleaner. Is for the flow through the sump - regardless of the pump used or the diameter of the pipe, you should have a valve (gate or ball) on the return line from the sump to contorl the flow anyway. Dial it in to whatever works best. Restricting the flow will not damage the pump in any way.

I thought this would strain the pump having back flow?

Utah Fatman · 09/14/2012, 01:40 AM

Open the pump all the way and control your flow at the return with gate or true-union ball valves.

A little denatured alcohol should handle the writing on the PVC.

Raceimage · 09/14/2012, 04:16 AM

The only way you would hurt the pump is if you put the valve on the input side of the pump instead of the output side.

CarlitosReef · 09/14/2012, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raceimage

The only way you would hurt the pump is if you put the valve on the input side of the pump instead of the output side.

I seeee now, this really clears everything up. But there's a lot of folks out there stating that having a control gate valve on your return line strains the pump. But they never stated exactly where or how so I'm sure there's a confusion going on that.

Sent from my private Jet.

Snakebyt · 09/14/2012, 05:30 AM

i had a mag5 with a 1/2 outlet and i used a threaded bushing to run 1" pipe, you will be fine going to 3/4

SWKustoms · 09/14/2012, 08:45 AM

Someone on one of these forums did a test a while back on restricting return pumps with ball or gate valves. The pumps lasted just as if they were not restricted. They noticed no temp change but the best part was the watts used. As they restricted the flow they thought it would draw more electricity but they found the opposite as the draw was less. So restricting is not an issue and it saves you electricity.

CarlitosReef · 09/14/2012, 05:41 PM

Wow a lot of great info here so far! Very interesting, OP you better be taking notes here!

Sent from my private Jet.

barjam · 09/15/2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlitosReef

I thought this would strain the pump having back flow?

Nope you can close them off completely without issue. They actually use less energy as you close them off.

09/12/2012, 01:38 PM	#1
danb73 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 64	Couple PVC and sump questions? I picked up some PVC pipe from HD last night and it had red and black lettering all over it and I was just wondering if this might be an issue when submerged in the sump and overflow box. My other question is the return line. I am using a Mag 7 pump for the return and the outlet diameter is 1/2". If I use a converter to 3/4" pipe do you think I will have any issues with resistance. The display is a 40 breeder and the sump is a 29 G do you think I will have to much flow through the sump? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

09/12/2012, 02:51 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	The writing on the pipes won't hurt a thing. If it bugs you, it will come right off with a little pvc cleaner. Is for the flow through the sump - regardless of the pump used or the diameter of the pipe, you should have a valve (gate or ball) on the return line from the sump to contorl the flow anyway. Dial it in to whatever works best. Restricting the flow will not damage the pump in any way. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

09/14/2012, 04:16 AM	#5
Raceimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sarver, Pa Posts: 296	The only way you would hurt the pump is if you put the valve on the input side of the pump instead of the output side. __________________ Gary Current Tank Info: 120 gal reef with 50 gal breeder sump, Reeflow Wahoo pump, Sea Swirl for motion in the mini ocean, AGM G2 skimmer, 2 Ecotec Radions LED fixtures, and 2 Ecotech vortechs, 90 Gal discus tank with fluval 404 and 4 lamp T5 fixture

09/14/2012, 08:45 AM	#8
SWKustoms Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Naugatuck, Ct Posts: 97	Someone on one of these forums did a test a while back on restricting return pumps with ball or gate valves. The pumps lasted just as if they were not restricted. They noticed no temp change but the best part was the watts used. As they restricted the flow they thought it would draw more electricity but they found the opposite as the draw was less. So restricting is not an issue and it saves you electricity. __________________ 80 Gallon DB Current Tank Info: 80 gallon Deep Blue Mixed Reef

09/14/2012, 01:40 AM	#4
Utah Fatman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 119	Open the pump all the way and control your flow at the return with gate or true-union ball valves. A little denatured alcohol should handle the writing on the PVC.

09/14/2012, 05:30 AM	#7
Snakebyt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lubbock Tx Posts: 2,141	i had a mag5 with a 1/2 outlet and i used a threaded bushing to run 1" pipe, you will be fine going to 3/4

09/14/2012, 05:41 PM	#9
CarlitosReef Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 488	Wow a lot of great info here so far! Very interesting, OP you better be taking notes here! Sent from my private Jet.