Pumps

JohnnyRedd · 01/13/2014, 04:31 PM

Howdy,

Bought a 180 with a 38 gallon sump about 6 months ago. Running like a champ but there is something driving me nuts.

It has two Mak40 A40XL pumps coming out of the sump. They are both cut down with ball valves to less than a quarter capacity. Open them up a little and micro bubbles become a problem.

I am thinking if I put in an H pipe I can unplug one pump. Shut off it's ball valve and I have a back up. It's obvious that they each have the capacity to feel the entire tank but before I went this route I thought I would throw it out there and see if anyone had any advice as to why I may not want to do this.

I see it as a win/win. Cut some power consumption and instantly add a back up to the tank.

Thanks

mcgyvr · 01/13/2014, 06:02 PM

Sure..... could work just fine.

Except where/why do micro bubbles become a problem?
If straight from the output of a pump means its cavitating which is not a good thing.
If from your drain pipes then you might/will still have problems if you increase the flow more than now with a single pump.

JohnnyRedd · 01/13/2014, 08:11 PM

When we were buying the tank the gentleman said much more flow would result in micro bubbles and he is right.

Everything is pvc.

In the sump the lines are pointed down. Bulkheads to the pumps. From there it is a short run and it starts up to the overflows. Then of course to the diffusers.

Where could it be picking up air? It was not pulling the sump dry.

JohnnyRedd · 01/14/2014, 06:07 PM

Anyone have any insight on the air bubbles?

Is unifying the pipes a bad idea? I believe I should be able to tune flow to at least maintain the flow I have while only using one pump.

viggen · 01/14/2014, 09:12 PM

Can you take and post pics?

If both pumps are cut back to 1/4 or so of max output and you want to mess around with flow turn one pump off and see how much flow you can get out of the other pump. If you can run it half to full throttle then yes there is no need having two pumps running, you will save on your electric bill yanking a pump.

What is your sump? Is it a fuge, wet dry etc? Do you have a bubble trap in there?

Is it glass or acrylic?

01/13/2014, 04:31 PM	#1
JohnnyRedd Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Southaven, MS Posts: 267	Pumps Howdy, Bought a 180 with a 38 gallon sump about 6 months ago. Running like a champ but there is something driving me nuts. It has two Mak40 A40XL pumps coming out of the sump. They are both cut down with ball valves to less than a quarter capacity. Open them up a little and micro bubbles become a problem. I am thinking if I put in an H pipe I can unplug one pump. Shut off it's ball valve and I have a back up. It's obvious that they each have the capacity to feel the entire tank but before I went this route I thought I would throw it out there and see if anyone had any advice as to why I may not want to do this. I see it as a win/win. Cut some power consumption and instantly add a back up to the tank. Thanks

01/13/2014, 06:02 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Sure..... could work just fine. Except where/why do micro bubbles become a problem? If straight from the output of a pump means its cavitating which is not a good thing. If from your drain pipes then you might/will still have problems if you increase the flow more than now with a single pump. __________________ Who me?

01/14/2014, 09:12 PM	#5
viggen Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,213	Can you take and post pics? If both pumps are cut back to 1/4 or so of max output and you want to mess around with flow turn one pump off and see how much flow you can get out of the other pump. If you can run it half to full throttle then yes there is no need having two pumps running, you will save on your electric bill yanking a pump. What is your sump? Is it a fuge, wet dry etc? Do you have a bubble trap in there? Is it glass or acrylic? __________________ A tub of fish

01/13/2014, 08:11 PM	#3
JohnnyRedd Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Southaven, MS Posts: 267	When we were buying the tank the gentleman said much more flow would result in micro bubbles and he is right. Everything is pvc. In the sump the lines are pointed down. Bulkheads to the pumps. From there it is a short run and it starts up to the overflows. Then of course to the diffusers. Where could it be picking up air? It was not pulling the sump dry.

01/14/2014, 06:07 PM	#4
JohnnyRedd Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Southaven, MS Posts: 267	Anyone have any insight on the air bubbles? Is unifying the pipes a bad idea? I believe I should be able to tune flow to at least maintain the flow I have while only using one pump.