Too Much Water From My Pump

Tasher80 · 03-06-2004, 10:46 PM

I turned on my Mag 12 pump today to test all my plumbing. The plumbing was all tight and no leaks

. My problem is the pump is too powerful. I have a maxi reef 100 sump which has a 1 inch inlet and a 1 in outlet. Then I have a 1 inch tube to a 1 inch valve and then into the pump. Then I have a 3/4 inch back to the tank. The pump is pushing so much water the sump cant keep up and the water overflows the drip plate. How can I lower the water flow it puts out without damaging the pump?

adrianleewelch · 03-07-2004, 12:35 AM

a gate valve should work, I have 2 pumps that are too large and have them throttled back this way, no damage so far but they have only been running 6 months. Im pretty sure most people on this forum would suggest the same, I think its here that I got the info to start with. I just have a simple 3 dollar home depot 1 inch valve between the pump and tank. Some people also have a 3 way type diverter that puts the extra water back into the sump, this would probably be easier on the pump..

MiddletonMark · 03-07-2004, 04:08 AM

What she said

I'd go with the diverter route [T-off on the return to a ball valve that runs back into the sump. Easier on the pump [by far] than restricting the output of it .... you just run water thru the pump/sump.

grazhopr · 03-07-2004, 07:50 AM

Does your sump look like this ?

Can you remove the drip plate ? You may not want to cut back in flow rate...

grazhopr · 03-07-2004, 07:52 AM

With the Mag 12 you have an approximate turnover of ~ 16 times your tank volume or less (if you discount head losses, etc). That is +/- what much people recommend for reef tanks.
Did you remove the bioballs ?

Tasher80 · 03-07-2004, 01:52 PM

I like having the drip plate because it disperses the water and it has a filter to trap any crap that may go through. I have a 1 in ball valve that I turned closed slightly and just didn't want it to hurt the pump. It seems like the flow is just a little lower than at full but it now doesnt overflow. The picture above is exactly wat I have. was even thinking about making the holes bigger in the drip plate to get more water flow.

jesspaul · 03-07-2004, 02:46 PM

I can't think of anything on the outlet of the pump causing damage to the pump unless you stop the flow completely which will cause the pump to overheat. You shouldn't block the inlet flow since that causes cavatition and damages the pump. You didn't say if you used PVC or flexable tubing. You can throtle the flex tubed with a simple clamp. I use one on the outlet of the tank back to the sump to reduce the 'flushing' sounds.

Phishnoob · 03-07-2004, 03:00 PM

They make little tiny quick clamps (think it is a Handyclamp, not sure posting from work)..black and yellow ones that you can use. I have a couple of six footers that I use to make furniture and two six inch ones for little stuff. One of them worked perfect for the drip acclimation on some tubing, and you just squeeze it down to what you want.

Phishnoob

Tasher80 · 03-07-2004, 08:22 PM

I will check the hardware store. That sounds like a great Idea of just clamping the tube just a little. I don't think it needs much because if I turn the valve off just a little bit it is much better. Thanks for the great ideas guys.

Tasher80 · 03-08-2004, 08:20 PM

I got a clamp today and put it on the output line. It slowed the water down. I removed my bio balls because all I read is bad things about them. How do I get the noise of the water falling into the sump to stop. I like the drip plate with teh filter but if I have to I will take it out. Should I put a tub from teh top of the lid into the water? That would stop the sound but not sure if it would work correctly.

Tasher80 · 03-08-2004, 08:28 PM

I did take the drip plate out to check and it made the sound of water falling even louder. When I eventually do get LR should I put a piece where the BIO balls were?

Geoff · 03-08-2004, 08:34 PM

only put LR in where the bio-balls were if they will be completely covered in water. if not completely covered in water then the LR will act exactly like the bio-balls and become nitrate factories.

G~

Tasher80 · 03-08-2004, 10:47 PM

Could I get some kind of pad or another filter to put in the water under the drip pan so that when the water hits the pad it won't make noise like water hitting water? I don't mind some noise and I know its expected but it sound like I have a waterfall in my living room.

beach bum · 03-08-2004, 11:11 PM

FYI, the drip plate is probably not the flow limiter UNLESS you have your filter pad sitting 'in' or 'on' the plate. Put any filter floss or padding UNDER the plate to maintain the most unrestricted flow rate.

hth

Tasher80 · 03-08-2004, 11:49 PM

If I take the filter out of the drip plate the flow is fine at full force. Im going to go to the LFS and get a filter to place under the drip plate instead and see how that works. Then I might get less noise and more flow of water without having to limit it.