How to increase return flow?

[Ian Baxter]

How do I increase the flow to the sump from the overflow? My return pump, varios 4, is on the lowest setting and every time I increase it, the sump drains faster than the water can enter. Here is the plumbing that came with the tank when I bought it.

I did fix the left side plumbing and added a valve. I also put on a new overflow, Eshopps M, and new tubes to the sump.

 

[Miami Reef]

There should be a gate valve in the overflow pipe to allow more water to flow through.

 

[Troylee]

How’s the drain pipes in the overflow box? Are you running one a full siphon? That will get you some good flow.

 

[FUNGI]

Which version pump? Looks like the pump is rated at 792 gph (vers. 2) and the ehopps is rated for 800 gph.......

 

[twentyleagues]

is that an old pic of the overflow box? maybe before it was hooked up?
an eshopps m is rated for up to 800gph your varios 4 is 1050gph. What is the pump set at?

 

[FUNGI]

sorry didnt see vers4 ....so yeah, mismatch between pump and overflow

 

[Ian Baxter]

There should be a gate valve in the overflow pipe to allow more water to flow through.

Since the overflow flex pipe doesn’t have one shouldn't it have max flow already?

 

[twentyleagues]

Since the overflow flex pipe doesn’t have one shouldn't it have max flow already?

never used it but have heard that flexable pipe will/can cut down on max flow through it. try hard pipe with gate valve. Actually gate valve can increase flow rates because you can set it to make a complete syphon instead of mixing air and water.

 

[exnisstech]

If in fact the pump is too strong for the overflow you could add a valve on the return to throttle the pump down. It's OK to restrict the output of a pump using a valve.
I've never had a valve on the overflow pipe. I've only run durso.

 

[Ian Baxter]

How’s the drain pipes in the overflow box? Are you running one a full siphon? That will get you some good flow.

The two flex pipe go straight to the sump, but one is the emergency drain.

 

[Ian Baxter]

is that an old pic of the overflow box? maybe before it was hooked up?
an eshopps m is rated for up to 800gph your varios 4 is 1050gph. What is the pump set at?

Yes, that is the old pic. I put on a new one with new flex drain pipes. It's the same one though. I currently have the pump set at the lowest level, so not exactly sure what GPH that is.

 

[Ian Baxter]

never used it but have heard that flexable pipe will/can cut down on max flow through it. try hard pipe with gate valve. Actually gate valve can increase flow rates because you can set it to make a complete syphon instead of mixing air and water.

That's what I may end up having to do.

 

[workhz]

sorry didnt see vers4 ....so yeah, mismatch between pump and overflow

What’s the mismatch? Pump at highest setting is 10-20% more than overflow without counting elbows and head height. OP is saying anything above lowest setting creates issues.

 

[Ian Baxter]

If in fact the pump is too strong for the overflow you could add a valve on the return to throttle the pump down. It's OK to restrict the output of a pump using a valve.
I've never had a valve on the overflow pipe. I've only run durso.

I haven't tried that yet.

 

[twentyleagues]

That's what I may end up having to do.

Dont use a ball valve get a gate valve. Gate valves are more adjustable and in reality should be the only valve type for this application.

 

[workhz]

If in fact the pump is too strong for the overflow you could add a valve on the return to throttle the pump down. It's OK to restrict the output of a pump using a valve.
I've never had a valve on the overflow pipe. I've only run durso.

Pump has multiple settings according to OP. Google search says pump has 5 settings. OP states it works at lowest setting. What do you want him to throttle back?

 

[FUNGI]

What’s the mismatch? Pump at highest setting is 10-20% more than overflow without counting elbows and head height. OP is saying anything above lowest setting creates issues.

I believe OP said to increase from overflow to sump......unless I misread....

 

[FUNGI]

I believe OP said to increase from overflow to sump......unless I misread....

Yup......thats what he said...
How do I increase the flow to the sump from the overflow?

 

[workhz]

I believe OP said to increase from overflow to sump......unless I misread....

As in where’s the mismatch. Pump appears to be appropriately rated if not under rated when head height is taken into account. It should not overwhelm the overflow so what’s the mismatch?

 

[FUNGI]

If overflow is rated for 800 GPH, and pump is rated for 1000+ how does OP increase flow into sump?
1) replace with new overflow rated for 1000+GPH
2) throttle pump down (as he has done) and live with 800GPH.