pump/overflow suggestions

[lwilliams8]

Just got our 120 up and pumping. the problem it seems is the overflows can't keep up with the pump. The pump is a 1200 gph external that came with the tank. It has 2 overflow boxes with 1'' drains. Should I get a smaller pump or put a inline valve on it? any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks

 

[jason.tammy]

I would put a inline ball vaulve.Even if it was'nt out running it I would.You never know when you may need to shut it down for some reason.I have shut offs on all our pumps.It also gives you control over the flow.
Jason

 

[H@rry]

+1 on the ball valve. You can choke the OUTPUT of the pump without any harm. It'll probably make your overflows a lot quieter too.

 

[lwilliams8]

cool i took my stand pipes out like yours were harry and it was the same. it's just the water running over the overflow boxes thats kinda loud. doesnt seem to matter if my stand pipes are in our out as far as gurgling because it doesnt gurgle at all. I know I have some tweaking to do and I will go to lowes tomorrow and get a ball valve and try thay. Thanks for the input.

 

[H@rry]

We have found that when the tanks were new the water was creating a waterfall in the overflows with a lot of splashing at the bottom. Now that they have a good coating of algae in the overflows it seems like the water just runs down the sheet of algae instead of splashing. I asked my wife if the overflows were quieter, I had more hearing loss than a few months ago, or whether I just got used to the noise. She agreed that they are quieter.

 

[lwilliams8]

o.k. guys everything is working great thanks for the advice. the only thing i have noticed is there are a lot of little air bubbles everywhere in the tank. maybe this will go away pretty soon. the bulbs are in finally. I could have ordered them myself but try to support the lfs store. anyways thanks.

 

[lwilliams8]

no bubbles in the sump so it has to be the pump. everything is glued up good and threads are taped so it has to be the pump. its a 1200 gph do ya'll think i need the same size if i order a new one?

 

[H@rry]

You may have a leak on the suction side of the pump. I found that teflon tape does not seal like this product. I got mine from Lowe's.

 

[lwilliams8]

i retaped and reglued everything and all is well. go connies corals swapped over and everything seems to love the hqi and t5 lights in her tank. looks better than i imagined! thanks for the input.