Anybody ever had a clog within their return pipe?

JRoweNole · 05/26/2006, 04:54 PM

My 6 year system is now encountering a situation where my return pump is not pushing much water back into my tank. I switched to another pump and the same thing is happening (I have an AGA 92 gallon reef ready corner tank).

Can the return line/pipe get calcium encrusted? Any suggestions?

Thank you.

ROB2005 · 05/27/2006, 11:18 AM

it might be so that with the organisms that have settled in there it might have clogged. What kind of pipe are you using?

Blown 346 · 05/27/2006, 12:37 PM

Like said above, I would remove the pipe if you can andclean it out. If it is PVC and cant be removed, I would would disconect your return pump, and use a large bendable brush to get the crud out.

Sk8r · 05/27/2006, 12:59 PM

It's also possible that fine particulate is chewing up your impellers and reducing efficiency. Is that second pump an older one? Just another thing to check...if the thing doesn't turn out to be clogged.

JRoweNole · 05/27/2006, 05:02 PM

Thanks everyone.

The pumps are definitely not the problem. The long bendable brush idea (if I can find one) sounds like a good solution.

05/26/2006, 04:54 PM	#1
JRoweNole Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kennesaw, Georgia Posts: 324	Anybody ever had a clog within their return pipe? My 6 year system is now encountering a situation where my return pump is not pushing much water back into my tank. I switched to another pump and the same thing is happening (I have an AGA 92 gallon reef ready corner tank). Can the return line/pipe get calcium encrusted? Any suggestions? Thank you.

05/27/2006, 11:18 AM	#2
ROB2005 Reefing Is My Passion! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 719	it might be so that with the organisms that have settled in there it might have clogged. What kind of pipe are you using? __________________ If at first you don't succeed at reefing, break it down and set back up😁 Current Tank Info: 75 gallon corner overflow, 4-54W T-5 , dozen blue hermits, tiger pistol/yellow watchman goby, royal gramma, banghai and pajama cardinals

05/27/2006, 12:59 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	It's also possible that fine particulate is chewing up your impellers and reducing efficiency. Is that second pump an older one? Just another thing to check...if the thing doesn't turn out to be clogged. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

05/27/2006, 12:37 PM	#3
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	Like said above, I would remove the pipe if you can andclean it out. If it is PVC and cant be removed, I would would disconect your return pump, and use a large bendable brush to get the crud out.

05/27/2006, 05:02 PM	#5
JRoweNole Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kennesaw, Georgia Posts: 324	Thanks everyone. The pumps are definitely not the problem. The long bendable brush idea (if I can find one) sounds like a good solution.