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05-28-2004, 10:42 PM
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#1
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Automotive Paint Nerd
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Livonia, MI
Posts: 603
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Can my return pump be above my sump?
Ok I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to lay out my sump for my 30"x30" aquarium. I was thinking of tacking on a little shelf for my return pump to sit on which is right ABOVE the sump. So in essence the pump would be sucking water up from the sump about 2 feet, then the return part would push it up the rest of the way. The pump is a Little Giant 4MDQX-SC. Will this work? Will I be able to get the pump to start pumping? Basically I am doing this for space management.
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05-28-2004, 11:02 PM
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#2
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squid
Join Date: May 2002
Location: s.e. fla.
Posts: 6
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you'll need to figure out a way to prime the pump.
then figure out a way to keep it from back siphoning
without losing prime in the event of a power outage.
i don't trust check valves not to fail when you need it
to not fail. plus if the pump breaks prime, you run the
risk of burning it out when it comes back on. of course,
all this will happen when your away on vacation.   |
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05-28-2004, 11:26 PM
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#3
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too much monster garage
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 71
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Having it above the sump is going to be difficult. Even if you have an extra pipe to prime the pump, you will still need to have enough of that pipe below the water line in the sump to create a good siphon. The only think I can think of is putting a check valve right below the water light in your sump. Then make a prime tube above your tank level. Prime the pump up to the level of tank return. When you turn on the pump, the force of the water being pulled up might be enough to open the check valve and create a siphon from the sump. This MIGHT work 
__________________
125 gallon tank. 2x250 radium 20,000k, 1x400 10,000k, 2 55w 48" T5 actinic, 35 gallon custom 3 stage sump with mangrove/calurpa refugium, euroreef skimmer, 2 K2R calcium reactors, multiple species of SPS and LPS, multiple species of inverts and fish
My tank pics: http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost...t=7&thecat=500
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05-29-2004, 09:03 AM
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#4
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Automotive Paint Nerd
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Livonia, MI
Posts: 603
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Sounds like too many "mights" . Right now I have it go up and over the side sitting on the same level as the sump, I guess I will just have to do that again. Thanks for the info. |
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05-29-2004, 08:12 PM
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#5
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A goof
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Plymouth, MN USA
Posts: 2,923
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I also think there are not to many pumps that can suck well
Jon
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05-31-2004, 07:33 PM
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#6
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The Lone Reefer
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 146
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Up and over the side? Non drillable glass I assume? Dunno about that one. Has anyone ever tried to replace one side of a glass aquarium with acrylic so you can drill it?
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Dilution is the solution to pollution.
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05-31-2004, 07:43 PM
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#7
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too much monster garage
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 71
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I've done that but only on a 20 gallon. I'm not sure if I would even try doing it on a 50+ gallon. I wouldn't trust the seal with all that pressure.
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125 gallon tank. 2x250 radium 20,000k, 1x400 10,000k, 2 55w 48" T5 actinic, 35 gallon custom 3 stage sump with mangrove/calurpa refugium, euroreef skimmer, 2 K2R calcium reactors, multiple species of SPS and LPS, multiple species of inverts and fish
My tank pics: http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost...t=7&thecat=500
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05-31-2004, 07:48 PM
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#8
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The Lone Reefer
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 146
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Why does silicone bond diff to glass than acrylic?
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Dilution is the solution to pollution.
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06-01-2004, 05:12 AM
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#9
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Pretty In Pink
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: portland or
Posts: 3,262
Reviews: 6
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You can drill the tank - just takes a little longer. Why not a mag pump?
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06-01-2004, 08:04 AM
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#10
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Automotive Paint Nerd
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Livonia, MI
Posts: 603
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Sorry, when I mean up and over the side, I mean up over the side of the rubbermade sump. My return actually goes through the bottom of the glass aquarium. I should really take some pictures . |
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06-14-2004, 03:28 AM
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#11
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Officially insane...
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Chico, CA
Posts: 658
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Quote:
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I also think there are not to many pumps that can suck well
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Well... the old Rio's did a pretty good job of sucking...
I'd pretty much say that any gravity-fed magnetic-drive pump should be installed 'below' the waterline in the sump... otherwise you'll run into cavitation and other problems, that is if the pump will even 'pull' the water.
I already replied to your other thread on your return system as well, and judging by how you're going to have to do that system, this idea won't work... somewhere along the line you'll have to break siphon to keep your tank from draining entirely, yet you can't break siphon and expect the pump to start up again and start pumping... it'll have to be re-primed.
HTH.
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06-19-2004, 08:04 AM
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#12
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The Lone Reefer
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 146
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Unless you get a pump that is self priming, but they can run you allot more that standard pumps. Check out iwaki's website, they have pumps that can pull water up 13 feet or so. Anything is possible with the right equipment. But as others have stated here, you wil have a hard time with the coponents you are trying to use now IMO and from experience. I hope this helps.
Alan
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Dilution is the solution to pollution.
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