Pump question

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by Pjgiantsfan, Oct 25, 2010.

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  1. Pjgiantsfan

    Pjgiantsfan Astrea Snail

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    I want to replace the return pump. It is quite loud and i have seen tanks with much quieter pumps. I had my system set up by a private company which was a mistake I suppose because i did not learn how to install and uninstall the pump. My question is, when i disconnect the old pump to install the new one, will the tank flood my house or wiil just the water in the return pipes expend themselves?
     
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  3. AZDesertRat

    AZDesertRat Giant Squid

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    Describe your plumbing or post a few photos for reference.
    If it is designed correctly it should have isolation valves so they can be shut off and the pump removed either for service which is a normal function or for replacement.

    Usually if you have a sump you have an overflow box which will drain back to the sump then break suction so the flow quits and the fump can be removed even without a valve.

    Photos would really help.
     
  4. cbs3315

    cbs3315 Ritteri Anemone

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    agree with photos, but if you do not have some sort of shut off valve you will need to break the syphon or you could flood your house. hard to say without pics a lot of things could be factors in this.
     
  5. Pjgiantsfan

    Pjgiantsfan Astrea Snail

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    Yes i do have a shutoff valve. I try to upload photos but i am prompted that they are too large :) I have to figure out how to shrink them. I also noticed that the hose just after the shut off valve was cut a little to fit on the the pipe that enters the bulk head. There is a clamp on it but anytime i see a split in a hose like that I get scared. So if the suction is broke when I remove that hose not much water will be lost? Again I had the tank set up by the store where I purchased all the equipment. They probably rushed to set it up. Oh well It seems like an easy fix.
     
  6. AZDesertRat

    AZDesertRat Giant Squid

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    Post your photos to someplace like Photo Bucket then link to them, its easy once you do it a time or two and it does not limit your photo size.
     
  7. Pjgiantsfan

    Pjgiantsfan Astrea Snail

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    ok put up a couple of photos
     
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  9. cbs3315

    cbs3315 Ritteri Anemone

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    you should have no problems if you shut off the valves. if your overflow does not have a shut off valve you might want to make sure that your sump can hold the extra water from your tank. i would assume it will. good luck.
     
  10. AZDesertRat

    AZDesertRat Giant Squid

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    Looking at your photos, I assume the clear tubing is the discharge for your return pump and is connected to a bulkhead in the bottom of an internal overflow box which leads up to your return?
    If so the flow will stop once the water level in the tank exposes the return to atmosphere.

    Unfortunately the valve on your retrun pump is on the wrong side of the union fitting so does you no good. Even so the flow should quit once the above happens.
    Is that a check valve above the ball valve? I hope not as they lead to trouble and have no place in a saltwater tank.
     
  11. Pjgiantsfan

    Pjgiantsfan Astrea Snail

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    Yup its a check valve. It was put in by the installers when they put it all together. Well i guess when i change the pump I will have to build it better. Any threads with suggestions?
     
  12. AZDesertRat

    AZDesertRat Giant Squid

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