Sump question

[JVH]

My skimmer is still breaking in but it seems t be finally working and the water flow in the skimmer box is good.. The small refrugiam and the return pump box both barley move! My hubby says is flowing because you can feel the water coming in the tank from the return pump but I feel the water should move some. It looks stagnant! There are partials that are barley moving if at all.
I guess the water is going inform the bottom of the compartment but the refrugiam water also stinks bad! I have cheto and pods in there on top of a small rubble pile. I feel I should be seeing water movement. Am I right? I am using the pump that came with my setup. Maybe a maxi 1200 would be better for the return?

 

[booth2010]

You could always add a small powerhead to the sump/fuge

 

[saltyphish]

I don't have a sump but have read 20-30 x's DT volume for return flow rate and supplement in the DT with powerheads. You probably lost most of your return pressure from head loss. You size your pump based on length, 90 degree bends and return nozzles. I doubt even a maxi 1200 would help you but I don't know your systems details nor tank size and sump location.

 

[redfishbluefish]

What size DT? And I'm assuming a sump BELOW the DT, so you have maybe a four foot rise in height. A Maxijet 1200 isn't going to pump much at that height. Also, what size overflow....that's what determines your maximum water volume that is returned to the DT.


EDIT TO ADD:

Just put Maxijet 1200 into a Head Loss Calculator with the following info:

4 foot vertical
0.5 feet horizontal
2 elbows
3/4 pipe

And it resulted in 0 (zero) flow rate.

So info above is needed to help in determining appropriate pump.

 

[Wiz]

In short for a planted sump, the more flow the better. As long as your not ripping things up;-) more flow = more growth. My opinion

 

[Khh27]

A maxijet is not a solid option in any return situation except for AIO systems. You need a designated return pump such as an ehiem or dc return a good dc6000 will solve all these problems mine eats up some water. I would imagine your water is trickling down your overflow or your you flooding you sump cause you can't pump it back in fast enough. If your thinking about upgrading to a 1200 then you definitely need something WAY stronger. Even at 4 feet of head and turns a 1200 is probably only pushing less then 100gph.

 

[Wiz]

My refugium is a stand alone 30 gal. The pump that feeds it is a maxijet 1200. It pushes ok. I don't want a crazy exchange because I want the macros to have time to soak up the nutrients. So I use a second maxijet insde the fuge. Works well for me. vid was when first setup. Second maxi was added 3 days later Pic is 2 months later.

 

[Khh27]

My refugium is a stand alone 30 gal. The pump that feeds it is a maxijet 1200. It pushes ok. I don't want a crazy exchange because I want the macros to have time to soak up the nutrients. So I use a second maxijet insde the fuge. Works well for me. vid was when first setup. Second maxi was added 3 days later Pic is 2 months later.

I think he is saying that he is using a return pump smaller than a 1200 to go from sump back to DT. Not to another standalone fuge or sump.

 

[Khh27]

More details would help dramatically but I can garentee it because you aren't using significant pump size.

 

[JVH]

Thank you everyone!
My tank is the Cad lights Versa 68g reef tank with 25g sump underneath. I'm using there Pl 100 pipe less skimmer and the pump that came with the system. If anyone knows Cad light you know you get no paperwork, labels, info or anything at all explaining what you have. There is no labels on anything so you cant even look up what you have.. Very weird. I got a great price for the set up at a show and the tank is very well made but that's it! all extras are cheesey! I believe the return pump is no better than a maxi. I will go over all the information posted here later and will probably get an additional pump for the sump.

 

[JVH]

More details would help dramatically but I can garentee it because you aren't using significant pump size.

I think your right...Now I need to figure out what pump is best. I knew it wasn't enough! Boy everything is trial and error

 

[Khh27]

I think your right...Now I need to figure out what pump is best. I knew it wasn't enough! Boy everything is trial and error

I would go for a DC pump. I really like my dct6000 @ 100$ you can't beat it. It is controllable and I have mine set to 50% and almost get sandstorm. I like the fact you don't need ball valves to control flow which helps eliminate back pressure thus saving you pumps and making them last longer. Also I like the fact it has soft start and 10m feed mode right on the controller. + you can't beat the low wattage/ heat for the flow you get.

 

[JVH]

What size DT? And I'm assuming a sump BELOW the DT, so you have maybe a four foot rise in height. A Maxijet 1200 isn't going to pump much at that height. Also, what size overflow....that's what determines your maximum water volume that is returned to the DT.

I don't have the dimensions off hand but its a 68g tank with a 25g sump under with about 10 to 12 g of water in sump.

 

[JVH]

A maxijet is not a solid option in any return situation except for AIO systems. You need a designated return pump such as an ehiem or dc return a good dc6000 will solve all these problems mine eats up some water. I would imagine your water is trickling down your overflow or your you flooding you sump cause you can't pump it back in fast enough. If your thinking about upgrading to a 1200 then you definitely need something WAY stronger. Even at 4 feet of head and turns a 1200 is probably only pushing less then 100gph.

Are you referring to the
Jebao DC6000 Water Pump?

 

[Wiz]

Im not sure it matters. In my opinion its the same thing. Isnt it? As long as you have enough flow. Exchange rate between the two tanks is debateable at best. The important question is flow for the macros and reef creatures. Imo

I think he is saying that he is using a return pump smaller than a 1200 to go from sump back to DT. Not to another standalone fuge or sump.

 

[Khh27]

Are you referring to the
Jebao DC6000 Water Pump?

Yes I am using the newer DCT version

Im not sure it matters. In my opinion its the same thing. Isnt it? As long as you have enough flow. Exchange rate between the two tanks is debateable at best. The important question is flow for the macros and reef creatures. Imo

I'm thinking his current setup isn't even giving him 1x turnover

 

[JVH]

Ok so a few clarifications... The pump I have is NOT a maxi. It has no info on it at all. I was thinking it was similar to a maxi and thought perhaps a maxi would be better but I see now that would not suffice. However, I will add a maxi to the return section with an external hose and we will see if that provides more flow. We tested the water returning into the tank and is about 1x.
Once we add the maxi and see what happens I may leave it or then just get a DC6000. Because my pump line is only 1/2" I think. Its small! The extra line will definitely help.
Thanks for all the responses..
Judith