ahhhhh i hate my sump!!!!

[tst400]

okm seriously a sump should not be this much trouble... does anyone know where to get valve that actually work? i can not get my flow to work at all the only thing i can think is that because the valves are super stiff i cant really regulate between the overflow and return. so is there anywhere that sells good valves????

 

[Troylee]

Gate valves will make it very simple.... Ball valves tend to stick and be a pita to fine tune..

 

[Reef UP]

Get gate valves a little more money but much easier to adjust and use

 

[tst400]

thanx i will try that.. ready to tear it down at this point

 

[SethTheWineGuy]

I wish I would have gone gate valve instead of ball valve. Much more control.

 

[tst400]

ok so seriously i got the gate valves and still cannot get this thing to just work....u barely open a valve a touch and it drains the overflow, barely close it and fill the tank... is there something im missing? thought evap could be the problem but now i have a ato on it so i have no idea what to do with this thing.

 

[143gadgets]

Can you provide more details on your setup? What return pump are you using? What tank? Overflows? Plumbing size? Seems there is more going on than just a valve.

 

[SaltyReefs]

Did you check for obstructions in the drain line? Sometimes snails can get in there ans restrict flow.

+1 - 143gadgets

 

[ToXIc]

check for obstructions;

also what are the sizes of your drains; size of you return pump..

 

[nater]

U have a valve on your drain ? What size tank? Are u using an overflow box or is the tank reef ready? What return pump are u using? More info is needed I think.

 

[tst400]

Tank is 180 sump 60g. It has an eternal overflow with 2 1 inch drains that plumb into inch and a half into the sump. I have a mag 12 return and have valves on drains and returns


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[BHHOWARD]

Do the 1" drains connect to a single 1.5" that connects to the sump or individual 1.5" lines that connect to the sump? How long are the drain lines?

 

[mainereefer]

why have valves on the drains? I am at the moment setting up a 180 with corner overflows. and using a 26hf for a return pump which returns more than a mag 12 with no problems. I also went from 1" to 1 1/2"on the drain

did you glue pvc for drains? if so did you use to much glue and shrink or clog the drain? (I did the first time) are u using a megaflow kit or something similar?

 

[tst400]

They connect to a single 1.5. Also I used the glue sparingly. I put the valves on all the lines so I would have more adjustability then I changed from ball yo gate valves, got better but still not working properly. I went to the sump because they are supposed to be great but other than hiding stuff I hate it


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[mainereefer]

I would say if they both connect into a 1.5" drain that is your problem 1"+1" =2" so you would need at least a 2" pipe but I would go bigger than that to reduce friction the reason your tank isnt draining properly

on my tank I went from 1" at the bulkhead to 1.5" to the sump each drain has its own 1.5" pipe to the sump

 

[_Alex_]

I think the 2 drains going into the 1 before the sump is causing back pressure and slowing your drains down. A single 1" drain on full flow can handle over a 1000 gph. Seperate the 2 drains and I think you will have better control.

 

[tst400]

If one drain will do a 1000 should I try closing the second???


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[_Alex_]

No because they are not set up for full syphon. You need to make them 2 individual drains. Going down to one at the bottom is limiting the amount you can drain.

 

[boehm742]

Connecting the 2 - 1" pipes to a 1.5" then going to the sump dosent make much sense. Your restricting alot of flow by doing that. This is your problem IMO. I have no valves on my overflow. Just an external overflow on my 180 with 2- 1" drains to the 40 sump

 

[tst400]

Boe so how is it plumbed? I only have one bulkheadq


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