Help!?

[Popain]

I recently upgraded to a 135 gallon. It has been almost 6 months. All of a sudden the return lines have slowed down to a point I can't keep a balance between sump and tank. There are no blockages. I took all pumps out and cleaned them. No change. I am officially stumped. Anybody have any ideas. Thank you

 

[Reefing Madness]

What pumps are you running? How old are they? You may just need to get new pumps. Are they at head loss max height? How are you not able to keep balance? The drains will only drain what water is going to them. ??

 

[trido]

Im not understanding the question clearly either. Has the return pump (or pumps) slowed causing the tank level to be lower and the sump level to be higher or have the overflows slowed causing the tank level to be too high?

 

[Popain]

The return pump is an off brand but it puts out around 1250 gph. Everything is brand new. The problem though isn't the return pump, I don't think because. It is actually draining my sump faster than gravity can pull it out of the display. I'm having to limit the pump just to keep it from running dry, which I don't like doing because it puts a lot of un-needed pressure. Don't want to burn it up. I have two overflows. 1 1/4 drains In each with a 3/4 return in each. Everything was perfect. And of course I am about to go on a anniversary trip. Bad timing!

 

[Popain]

As it sits, the pump is too powerful. Which I don't see how that could have changed

 

[TRex91]

If it's new it may have needed to break in,, i would t of your return plumbing Anne give it a release valve you could call it... That is I'd everything is clear and no blockages,,

 

[trido]

Are your overflows made of PVC or flexible pipe? If its flex pipe you could have a slight kink in the lines. I've also seen rigid pipe siphon differently depending on how deep they are under the water in the sump. Have you recently changed anything there? My overflows have also recently slowed down, or the return pump sped up after about five years. I solved it by choking the pump back a tiny bit.

 

[Popain]

They are PVC. The drain lines are about 2 inch below water line. Tried playing with it and dropped one side down about an inch and there is no difference. Should I try bringing it up higher say, only an inch down?

 

[Popain]

I might try putting a T and return some back to sump.

 

[robbrouse]

I think I lot of people will have a ball or gate valve on there return pump.. The only way I could see not doing it if you under sized your return pump... If you do put a TEE on it I think you will have to add a ball valve so you get enough flow to the DT.

 

[Popain]

Yeah. I just forgot to write that. Deffinitly using a ball valve

 

[trido]

Ya, If adjusting the depth of the overflows in the water doesn't make a difference and you're sure there isn't any blockages (which is extremely unlikely for both of them) then your only option is to choke back the return pump with a ball valve. Putting a "T" back to the sump is optional.

 

[Popain]

Ok thanks. I'll work on that tomorrow.

 

[TRex91]

Yes,, cooking it back would work for sure but i think he was worried about putting the extra strain on the pump,, which is a concern.. Imho i would t out off as i mentioned earlier.. I did forget to say add a ball valve or other valve to get it right.. This its just my humble opinion..

 

[larangcon]

The ball valve should solve your problem; I have installed a ball valve after the pump and on the return to the sump this way I would be able to control the flow, I ended up opening the return valve full open to prevent any over flow on the display tank. You might only need to install after the pump to control the flow going to the tank.