Return pump thoughts!

[19jonesy86]

So I have a herbie overflow setup, with main and emergency drain at 1" and return at 3/4" I'm currently bidding on a Jacod DCT-8000 return pump with a minimum flow of 1200 litres per hr (660gph) is this too powerful for the plumbing I have or will it be ok?

 

[sbash]

3/4" piping for the return line is going to create some back pressure, also, what is your head height?

Either way, a full siphon (on 1" piping) pulls at least 700gph, so you should be good to go... I cannot find the calculator I have used in the past...

 

[Ocelaris]

Not at all, in fact by the time you calculate head loss you'll probably get about half that flow. A 1" drain with little restrictions can flow somewhere north of 600 gallons an hour. I have a 1" drain and two 3/4 returns and a manifold, and my gate valve is mostly closed to even up the flow. If you don't have a gate valve on the drain yet, it's almost required. A regular ball valve is too coarse to adjust well.

 

[19jonesy86]

Not at all, in fact by the time you calculate head loss you'll probably get about half that flow. A 1" drain with little restrictions can flow somewhere north of 600 gallons an hour. I have a 1" drain and two 3/4 returns and a manifold, and my gate valve is mostly closed to even up the flow. If you don't have a gate valve on the drain yet, it's almost required. A regular ball valve is too coarse to adjust well.

How do I tell the difference between ball and gate valves?

 

[DSmithZ28]

How do I tell the difference between ball and gate valves?

Gate valve has a round adjustment knob. Trust me, get agates valve. Much better on a Herbie drain. Also, if you don't have an ATO expect some variance in your main siphon level on the stand pipe. You should have a 1 inch emergency drain pipe about 1 inch lower than your weir. You may hear some gurgling if you have just recently topped off your fresh water level in the sump. That's why a gates valve is better, you can fine tune the water level of your full siphon easier and make adjustments. Get an ATO if you haven't and keep your water levels consistent for better performance.

 

[19jonesy86]

I do want an ATO but my only issue is I have no room under where my sump goes and there's no way I can put it in another room as I'm in a military house.

 

[DSmithZ28]

I do want an ATO but my only issue is I have no room under where my sump goes and there's no way I can put it in another room as I'm in a military house.

You can use a 5 gallon jug or pail and sit it next to your DT. I am doing the same thing and covering it with wood to make it an end/coffee table. I have a 90 cube and no room under the DT either.

 

[19jonesy86]

You can use a 5 gallon jug or pail and sit it next to your DT. I am doing the same thing and covering it with wood to make it an end/coffee table. I have a 90 cube and no room under the DT either.

that's another issue I have no room either side, one side is a wall and the other is the sofa. I could possible have it about 8-9' away in another corner hidden behind the other sofa and use your idea of making it into a stand.

 

[DSmithZ28]

that's another issue I have no room either side, one side is a wall and the other is the sofa. I could possible have it about 8-9' away in another corner hidden behind the other sofa and use your idea of making it into a stand.

I wouldn't do that. It will increase the head pressure needed on your fresh water pump.All you need is a small pump like the aqualifter pump. All you need is something to hold water so that a float (auto top off) can be triggered to keep water levels consistent. It's also a great place to dose kalkwasser for your corals. Can you move the couch down 6 inches and slide something slimmer between? Or even in back. Closer is better.

 

[19jonesy86]

No it really is a tight squeeze with where it is, I can't even move it anywhere else as we just don't have the room.

 

[DSmithZ28]

No it really is a tight squeeze with where it is, I can't even move it anywhere else as we just don't have the room.

Can you send a picture of your setup? Perhaps we can brainstorm something. At the end of the day, a long run of hose will work, but it's just not the ideal way to handle if not necessary. Unless you have a fish room and in that case, your options are countless LOL

 

[19jonesy86]

Can you send a picture of your setup? Perhaps we can brainstorm something. At the end of the day, a long run of hose will work, but it's just not the ideal way to handle if not necessary. Unless you have a fish room and in that case, your options are countless LOL

I'll post one up when I finish work. A fish room is a dream, really is.

 

[Idoc]

Your pump is a DC pump, so no matter if it is too strong at its highest gph, you have the ability to dial the flow back. I have a Varios6 on my 75g tank with a 3/4" return...my head pressure is about 4-5 feet...at that height, my pump is rated to have a max output around 750pgh. I also use a Herbie style overflow with 1" full siphon line and 1" emergency line. I closed my full siphon line completely and turned my Varios6 pump up to full flow and the 1" emergency line handled the return flow to my sump without any flooding or problems! This was a good piece of mind to know that I won't have a flood even if something happened that caused my pump to go to max flow!

I also agree with @DSmithZ28 ... definitely use a gate valve on the full siphon line (but never put a valve on the emergency line). Gate valves give such easier control at the tiniest flow...I only have to give the gate valve a little "bump" to make small adjustments.

 

[Ocelaris]

If you can run a 1/4" hose, a diaphragm pump can send the water almost anywhere. My ato reservoir is probably 40 feet away.

 

[19jonesy86]

Can you send a picture of your setup? Perhaps we can brainstorm something. At the end of the day, a long run of hose will work, but it's just not the ideal way to handle if not necessary. Unless you have a fish room and in that case, your options are countless LOL

Sorry it's taken so long but here is the pic of my setup.

I have about 3 1/2 inches to the right of the sump but apart from that space is really limited for an ATO.

 

[Ocelaris]

If you have a closet nearby you could do a bucket with top off water and snake the 1/4"hose along the trim by the carpet, and into the sump.

 

[19jonesy86]

If you have a closet nearby you could do a bucket with top off water and snake the 1/4"hose along the trim by the carpet, and into the sump.

The only closet I have would mean the pipe would have to go over the hall carpet

 

[Ocelaris]

They do make slim containers, otherwise if there is a closet on the other side you could drill a small hole. They make grommets for cable TV wires about the right size. Here's a slim container

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/3-5l-sapphire-dosing-container-trigger-systems.html

 

[19jonesy86]

That could work under by the sump, what kind of pump could I use?

 

[Ocelaris]

You could use a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm pump, or a kit with a regular small pump. Peristaltic are slower, they can't siphon and can deal with caustic or fluids like kalkwasser. Diaphragm pumps are higher flow, but can't handle caustic fluids, and can siphon. In your case since everything sits in the sump area, siphon wouldn't be an issue. Since you probably need a sensor to know when to top off, I'd look at some of the kits, just make sure the pump is strong enough to pull water from whatever tubing you use, as 1/4 tubing is very restricted. Here's some kits to look at
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/auto-top-off/auto-top-off-systems.html