Looking for advice on return pumps

[mcarroll]

Any idea why all the ups and downs? Looks like three times a day around noon, plus other random dips. (Not talking about the "fuzz" at the top of the chart......that's just sensor noise.)

 

[Engloid]

Any idea why all the ups and downs? Looks like three times a day around noon, plus other random dips. (Not talking about the "fuzz" at the top of the chart......that's just sensor noise.)

Yes. That's my AFS auto feeding. At 10am, 1pm, and 4pm, my return pump shuts off for feeding times.

 

[mcarroll]

Not a biggie, but a pause shouldn't be needed, depending on your sump setup...I have enough flow in my sump that nothing remotely food-like settles. If possible, this is what I'd recommend vs lowering flow. 2¢

 

[Engloid]

Not a biggie, but a pause shouldn't be needed, depending on your sump setup...I have enough flow in my sump that nothing remotely food-like settles. If possible, this is what I'd recommend vs lowering flow. 2¢

The fish can't eat the food in the sump though. I like to keep as much food in the tank as possible. If it goes in the sump, it can get stuck in the chaeto and rot there if not eaten by the pods. During fed times, my vortech goes into NTM so it keeps the food stirred up in the water, instead of letting it settle and fall into the rocks where they can't get it. Fish feed faster if they're swimming than if they're picking off the rocks.

 

[mcarroll]

Not saying you should, but I'd look at the chaeto as the cause of the "problem" in the sump and remove it. Then nothing to catch detritus, food just cycles back up to the tank for corals or fish to eat. Perfect.

(MP's aren't great at lifting detritus due to their ultra-soft flow, BTW. Verify their effectiveness in your setup by blasting the rocks and sand in a few places with a hand-held powerhead to see what happens. If you get a cloud of anything that looks like detritus, then at least you know. If it's all clean, then you know that too. )

 

[jda]

Having pumped from basements for years, here is my normal game. If 1000GPH or under, stick with the mag or get a larger laguna... submerging them will help your heaters run less, as well. Laguna 2900 up to the second story (about 11 feet) with a flex line was about 750 (ish) GPH and ran for years... Laguna are more reliable than a Mag. They also make larger pumps... 4200, I think.

If you need more than this, then Iwaki, GenX or Panworld in appropriate size are the best options.

I have used Dophins and they are monsters if you get the ones rated for head. They will use more wattage, but also probably last a decade, or two. The low wattage flow pumps can do OK, but they do shut off earlier.

I have never had a Sequence/Reeflo last more than two years without a seal failure, motor failure or catching on fire. They are on my no-use list, which kinda upsets me since they are local and I like to support local companies.

Whatever you do, get a new impeller for your mag and keep it around to mix/move water or for a backup. Mags are invaluable in emergencies.