Pump for 65G setup

[tonep]

Well I finished the piping for my new 65G with lifereef system.
I used a Gen X PCX-40 external pump.
It seems like the pump is to powerfull.
If I don't dial it back it drains the sump.
Am I missing something?
Should I just use a smaller pump?
I didn't connect the chiller yet though.

 

[KathyC]

You'll need to dial back the pump by adding a ball (or gate ) valve to the output from the pump until you get the right balance between the drain and the return. You should never adjust the input to a pump as it makes them wear out faster.

Where do you plan to add the chiller into?

 

[tonep]

Cathy,
Actually I have a ball valve on input and the output in order to be able to service the pump without having to drain the sump.
I did dial back the output of the pump (the valve on the top of the picture), but in order to not have the tank overflow I had to dial that valve back almost 40%.
It does not take into account that I also have a return loop for carbon that I turned up full to releive some of the pressure.
I will run the chiller off a 1/2" connection at the top elbow (you can't see it from the photo because it face the back).
I am basically woundering if I am wasting energy.
Why use this size pump if I have to dial it back?
Right now it is working but seems inefficient.

 

[NYreefNoob]

that is a low watt pump and same one i plan to use as well. once you get the rest of the stuff hooked up it wont be as much to the return. but you do have to find the sweet spot between drain and return

 

[dubs]

a ball valve should do the trick u need to put out the same amount water ur talking

 

[pecan2phat]

If you plumb the chiller inline, that will kill your flow rate about 20% due to the restriction.

 

[tonep]

Actually I didn't pump the chiller in-line.
It tees off the main return line so it won't restrict the flow.
I tried to reduce the restriction of the main flow.
Actually I should have checked the flow rate through the chiller.

 

[pecan2phat]

Tee off is probably what I meant to say. As an example, I also use a PCX-40 as a return pump on my 120g. From the pump there is just one tee fitting. Vertical goes into a Pacific Coast 1/4 hp chiller then to a 3/4" Sea Swirl. Horizontal part of the tee goes to a 40w Aqua UV then to another Sea Swirl. I need to restrict the Aqua UV side in order to have an equal amount of flow exiting both Sea Swirls. This shows how restrictive the chiller can be. The PCX-40 is a pressure rated pump for about 1000 gph but with the chiller inline, I'm lucky to get 350 - 400 gph out of each Sea Swirl.