Grrrrr, sumps are a pain, need some advice

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by JeremyW, Oct 25, 2011.

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  1. JeremyW

    JeremyW Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I got my new 210 gallon tank and the owner of the fish store drilled overflows exactly like he has in his main display tank. They are 2 holes drilled in the back of the tank. Then using 1 1/2 pvc pipe is plumed down to his sump, and in the display side a elbow then more pvc to take the pipe just under the water level. He has 2 pumps pumping the water back in.
    I am trying to do something just a little different using my 2 wet/dry filters as my sumps. I have one on each side with a rio 2400 pump on each side pushing the water back up. I also put a shut off valve on each side for emergency and I also can adjust the speed of the water coming down.
    My issue is I cannot get an even balance of water coming down, one of my filters keeps on blowing air. If one side blows air I open up the valve a little more, then the other side and I just cant get it right. My first thought is that maybe the 1 1/2 inch pipe is to big? I could get a reducer and put it on the top to stop so much water coming down? would that help? what else could I do?
     
    JeremyW, Oct 25, 2011
    JeremyW, Oct 25, 2011
    #1

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  2. Jodah

    Jodah Feather Duster

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    1-1/2" I would think would be just fine for a 210G. I mean, I've seen 1" and 1-1/4" used all the way up to 180G tanks. Maybe someone else would be able to chime in, so, back up to the top.
     
    Jodah, Oct 25, 2011
    Jodah, Oct 25, 2011
    #2
  3. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    The easiest solution is to plumb a crossover between the two sump tanks so they can maintain the same water level (as if they were one). You'll never get it adjusted right any other way.
     
    Mr. Bill, Oct 25, 2011
    Mr. Bill, Oct 25, 2011
    #3
  4. insanespain

    insanespain Ocellaris Clown

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    Yep he is right. You will fight it no matter what unless you tie them together.
     
    insanespain, Oct 25, 2011
    insanespain, Oct 25, 2011
    #4
  5. JeremyW

    JeremyW Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    What exactly is that? Maybe i would be better abandoning the 2 wet dry filters and just use one bigger sump than?
     
    JeremyW, Oct 25, 2011
    JeremyW, Oct 25, 2011
    #5
  6. insanespain

    insanespain Ocellaris Clown

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    That is what I would recommend doing.
     
    insanespain, Oct 25, 2011
    insanespain, Oct 25, 2011
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  7. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    Whichever is cheaper/easier for you, but a crossover is just a pipeline between them so they will act as one unit so you're not constantly fighting the variance between two separate drains and pumps.
     
    Mr. Bill, Oct 25, 2011
    Mr. Bill, Oct 25, 2011
    #7
  8. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

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    Just a quick clarification.... Are your valves on the output side of the pump, or on the overflow pipes themselves? The way you worded it has me wondering...
     
    jonjonwells, Oct 25, 2011
    jonjonwells, Oct 25, 2011
    #8
  9. JeremyW

    JeremyW Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    my shut off valves are under my tank, right above my sump.
     
    JeremyW, Oct 26, 2011
    JeremyW, Oct 26, 2011
    #9
  10. AZDesertRat

    AZDesertRat Giant Squid

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    Never, ever restrict the overflow from the display to the sump!!! Wide open and unrestricted always.
    Install valves on the discharge side of the pump if you want or need to adjust flows. Its the return rate that creates the balance in the system not the overflow.
     
    AZDesertRat, Oct 26, 2011
    AZDesertRat, Oct 26, 2011
    #10
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