Sump problem

[ivandrago]

Guys i am not sure but my return pump i am thinking might have something to do with this there is no enough flow going through my sump refugium it used to be better also the flow used to be a lot better from the returns now it very slow. I am thinking i might need a new return pump. Please let me know your insight .

 

[KDon]

If you can, I would remove the pump and run it in a vinegar and water mix for a few hours. That may clean it up and increase its flow.

 

[jvu61]

If you can, I would remove the pump and run it in a vinegar and water mix for a few hours. That may clean it up and increase its flow.

+1
when in doubt clean it. if that don't work replace it

 

[greg 45]

If you own a small or large tank I always recommend having spare pumps .
Not only returns !!!!!
You never know when they will fail and a back up is nice to have.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

if you own a small or large tank i always recommend having spare pumps .
Not only returns !!!!!
You never know when they will fail and a back up is nice to have.

+1

 

[ivandrago]

guys thank you for the information but i still didn't really get my answer is it possible for the flow in the sump to be reduced due to the malfunctioning of the return pump. like its not doing the same amount of GPH.

 

[Loose tenticle]

Do you have a strainer on your piping by your over flowntonthe sump? Had that problem and found out strainer was the caulpret.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Can you post a picture of your overflow in the tank and your return section in you sump. Help us help you.

 

[CleanYourTank11]

Yes the pump can absolutely slow down your gph. You should be able to remove the faceplate on the pump and check out the impeller and impeller shaft. Make sure there is no algae build up,hair algae,any thing slowing it the impeller down from spinning. Be careful with the impeller and shaft more so the shaft they are usually ceramic and crack pretty easily.

 

[ivandrago]

Do you have a strainer on your piping by your over flowntonthe sump? Had that problem and found out strainer was the caulpret.

What do you men by strainer

 

[CleanYourTank11]

Look and double check anything and everything that water passes. Teeth on overflow,baffles in sump,sponges on pumps or between baffles,strainers on bulkheads or pumps(plastic cone shape with spaces to allow water to pass but keep large objects from passing). Post pictures if possible of your overflow,sump,plumbing maybe one of us can see something and or explain to you where exactly to look and what to check for.

 

[Loose tenticle]

You know like the things that prevent debris from going into hob filter

 

[ivandrago]

Can you post a picture of your overflow in the tank and your return section in you sump. Help us help you.

Please take a look at some of the pictures

 

[ivandrago]

i checked everything i mean i ran the sump with no sock its stilts samei took out all he sponges and its still not giving me a ny flow, and the only reason i know this is because the cheato thats in my sump when i let it float it doesn't tumble so i came to the conclusion that my mag drive 12 is lost its power and not drawing the usual water hence for the less of the flow in the sump. Also the other reason why i don't think the return pump isn't quite working the same is because i am starting to get alot of detritus build up very fast on the glass.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Did you take out the pump and clean it completely? You got a really nice setup and looks well done. Have you checked the teeth of the overflow and brushed them. Also if you put your hand near the inlet of the mag pump you should feel the force of suction.

One other thing i do not like is that you have shut off valves on your return that looks like you are utilizing. Not a great idea at all to have those even a little bit closed.

also check the holes on top of the overflows and make sure they are clear of salt creep...

 

[ivandrago]

I mean everything is clean I alays clean the teeth when I do water changes religiously every 2 weeks. Sump is cleaned as well. I disagree with the shutoff vales as those are again prevention and easier acces to he bottom the are like unions also another way to control the flow I used to have to have to turn them down as the flow was very fast through the sump. I will check the intake like you suggested with the finger on the return pump. The return pump was cleaned a week ago he reason being is because this has been going on for a while with the flow. I think I will just go in and spend $100 on a new dinner mag 12 and see how it does. I really appreciate the invite.

 

[edd]

how much water drains down when pump is off?
when pump is running, how far up on over flow teeth does water line go.
could be your pump isn't returning enough water to dt to get good flow through sump.
when you put a gate valve on pump [if its over sized] you can adjust the water level in dt by opening or closing valve, giving sump more flow.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

i can see where you are coming from. But the safer approach to dialing water flow down would be to put a ball valve on the return pipe not the drain.

If you don't have the suction as you should just replace it (i would replace it with a eheim 1262 not a mag.)

Why are you skimming so wet?

 

[ivandrago]

how much water drains down when pump is off?
when pump is running, how far up on over flow teeth does water line go.
could be your pump isn't returning enough water to dt to get good flow through sump.
when you put a gate valve on pump [if its over sized] you can adjust the water level in dt by opening or closing valve, giving sump more flow.

The water is half way up on the teeth, even when the ball valves open all the way. I Don't know how much water drains all I can say it's a lot.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

1" drains should be about 600gph if i remember correctly....