Fluval Evo 13.5 stock pump ... THAT weak?

Dave Clark · Jan 21, 2023

I just set up a Fluval Evo 13.5g tank. I'm wondering if there's something wrong with my pump. I've heard that this pump is pretty weak and many people replace it with a more powerful pump, but I'm still surprised at how weak it is. If I move my fingers more than two inches from the outlet, I can't feel the flow. Is it really that bad? Or maybe there's something wrong with my pump? Thanks in advance.

Dave Clark · Jan 21, 2023

Dave Clark said:
I just set up a Fluval Evo 13.5g tank. I'm wondering if there's something wrong with my pump. I've heard that this pump is pretty weak and many people replace it with a more powerful pump, but I'm still surprised at how weak it is. If I move my fingers more than two inches from the outlet, I can't feel the flow. Is it really that bad? Or maybe there's something wrong with my pump? Thanks in advance.

One thing I should add is that I have a 3Docean media basket in chamber one. Not sure if that would affect the pump’s performance.

Reef Psychology · Jan 22, 2023

I don't know which pump that may be, but many pumps have a flow regulator. I'd also take it apart and back together again. Sometimes they are assembled incorrectly too. You should definitely be able to feel the flow. 132GPH isn't great, but it isn't that weak either. A media basket won't have anything to do with the pump's GPH.

Dave Clark · Jan 22, 2023

Reef Psychology said:
I don't know which pump that may be, but many pumps have a flow regulator. I'd also take it apart and back together again. Sometimes they are assembled incorrectly too. You should definitely be able to feel the flow. 132GPH isn't great, but it isn't that weak either. A media basket won't have anything to do with the pump's GPH.

It doesn't have a flow regulator. I took it apart and reassembled it, no change. I guess I got a bad one.

uhgster1 · Jan 22, 2023

I run the stock pump on mine. It’s weak but it does the job of circulation for the tank. If you want better flow get a small wave maker.

Dave Clark · Jan 22, 2023

uhgster1 said:
I run the stock pump on mine. It’s weak but it does the job of circulation for the tank. If you want better flow get a small wave maker.

Understood, but I'm just wondering if there's something wrong with my pump. Like I said, I can't feel the flow if I move my finger two inches from the outlet. That seems wrong. Maybe not?

uhgster1 · Jan 22, 2023

Dave Clark said:
Understood, but I'm just wondering if there's something wrong with my pump. Like I said, I can't feel the flow if I move my finger two inches from the outlet. That seems wrong. Maybe not?

It might be. Pull it out and see if the housing cover is too tight. Sometimes if it gets dirty it will slow down too. As long as you’re getting circulation through the filtration area you’ll be ok. I rely on the wave maker for flow in my tank.

Dave Clark · Jan 23, 2023

uhgster1 said:
It might be. Pull it out and see if the housing cover is too tight. Sometimes if it gets dirty it will slow down too. As long as you’re getting circulation through the filtration area you’ll be ok. I rely on the wave maker for flow in my tank.

Housing cover is fine, pump is clean. Understanding it's not a scientific test ;-) ... can you feel the flow from your stock pump on your fingers from 2" away?

Crazeh · Jan 23, 2023

It is really weak, but does the job for filtration. The majority add a wavemaker or upgrade the return pump, for adequate flow.

Sorry I can't do your 2" test as I've since upgraded the return pump after my wavemaker died. To give an idea though, when I ran the stock pump (wavemaker off), the movement on my coral was totally stagnant.

Try pointing the nozzles at the water surface; you should still be able to get a good ripple across the surface. If not, then something would appear wrong to me. There will be little 'power' behind it though.

The stock pump does have a sponge, which many people remove, as it just gets clogged and needs routinely cleaning. Just make sure you have good mechanical filtration in a prior chamber.

You should also check there is not a kink in the return pump tube connecting it to the duckbill nozzle.

Dave1993 · Jan 23, 2023

i went with the TMC compact 500 cause its dead silent

elm03 · Jan 23, 2023

Dave Clark said:
I just set up a Fluval Evo 13.5g tank. I'm wondering if there's something wrong with my pump. I've heard that this pump is pretty weak and many people replace it with a more powerful pump, but I'm still surprised at how weak it is. If I move my fingers more than two inches from the outlet, I can't feel the flow. Is it really that bad? Or maybe there's something wrong with my pump? Thanks in advance.

I have the same one, I haven’t really tested how strong it was but the current of mine is good. I’m eventually going to replace it but I feel mine is ok for now. I’m not sure about if it’s weak or not though…

Dave Clark · Jan 23, 2023

Crazeh said:
It is really weak, but does the job for filtration. The majority add a wavemaker or upgrade the return pump, for adequate flow.

Sorry I can't do your 2" test as I've since upgraded the return pump after my wavemaker died. To give an idea though, when I ran the stock pump (wavemaker off), the movement on my coral was totally stagnant.

Try pointing the nozzles at the water surface; you should still be able to get a good ripple across the surface. If not, then something would appear wrong to me. There will be little 'power' behind it though.

The stock pump does have a sponge, which many people remove, as it just gets clogged and needs routinely cleaning. Just make sure you have good mechanical filtration in a prior chamber.

You should also check there is not a kink in the return pump tube connecting it to the duckbill nozzle.

Thanks, good info. I'll try removing the sponge but from you've said, I guess it's Just That Weak. ;-) I'm going to upgrade the pump.

Riven60 · Feb 9, 2023

The best upgrade I made was a VCA random flow generator. 1/2 inch attachment I believe. I connected straight to the outlet from the pump. My tank flows well

Dave Clark · Feb 9, 2023

Thanks everybody. I upgraded to a Tunze pump and added the VCA random flow generator. All is well.

SDReefer77 · Mar 10, 2023

Hey Dave, just realized you were the OP on the post I responded to the other day when I joined. Serendipity lol. Anyway came across this one yesterday searching "3DOcean" but got sidetracked and forgot to post, glad you upgraded the pump, I went with a Sicce .5 (185gph) and it works great.

I also ended up going with Doc Tiki's design instead of the InTank baskets. Did the full deal, Basket 1 & 2, the plug, plus the rfg's and filter covers. Nice to see someone else here with the same upgrade. I could have sworn his directions mentioned the need to upgrade your pump when using his Baskets (and the plug specifically) but I just tracked them down, read them twice, and don't see it. It's also 4am but I know I read it somewhere, maybe Etsy when I ordered it from him. That was definitely the issue and relates to the other post about the plug. Since the basket and plug redirect flow in the filter it needs more power to efficiently drive the system.

What model/gph is the Tunze?

Dave Clark · Mar 10, 2023

SDReefer77 said:
Hey Dave, just realized you were the OP on the post I responded to the other day when I joined. Serendipity lol. Anyway came across this one yesterday searching "3DOcean" but got sidetracked and forgot to post, glad you upgraded the pump, I went with a Sicce .5 (185gph) and it works great.

I also ended up going with Doc Tiki's design instead of the InTank baskets. Did the full deal, Basket 1 & 2, the plug, plus the rfg's and filter covers. Nice to see someone else here with the same upgrade. I could have sworn his directions mentioned the need to upgrade your pump when using his Baskets (and the plug specifically) but I just tracked them down, read them twice, and don't see it. It's also 4am but I know I read it somewhere, maybe Etsy when I ordered it from him. That was definitely the issue and relates to the other post about the plug. Since the basket and plug redirect flow in the filter it needs more power to efficiently drive the system.

What model/gph is the Tunze?

Howdy. It's a Tunze Silent 1073.008. https://www.tunze.com/en/details/1073.008-recirculation-pump-silence.html

I have a 3DOcean basket in chamber 1, works great.

SDReefer77 · Mar 11, 2023

Dave Clark said:
Howdy. It's a Tunze Silent 1073.008. https://www.tunze.com/en/details/1073.008-recirculation-pump-silence.html

I have a 3DOcean basket in chamber 1, works great.

The 210 GPH should help a lot. I definitely think the 3DO basket 1 is a superior design to the InTank, especially the overflow. The InTank water director leaks on the sides whereas the fixed height on the 3DO is perfect.

I like his mini RFG's too since they fit on the stock dual return and utilize both arms to pinpoint flow in more than one direction. I was running the VCA my first 2 weeks before I upgraded to the 3DO stuff, nothing wrong with it other than only being able to point it in one direction.