Variable Speed Return Pump Program = Gurgling

[nacl]

Waterbox 180.5 w/ a CORS-20, FOWLR

I really like the concept of having the return pump on a variable speed schedule, though admittedly this is likely just more for fun than anything else.

The issue I see is that you can tune the overflow for the top end GPH to remove the gurgling, but then as the flow decreases, you won't keep your main overflow drain full and it gurgles. If you tune it for somewhere below the top end, your emergency overflow will kick in at full GPH and that's not great either.

Looking for input on what other people have done to solve for this in a way that keep the tank reasonably quiet and takes advantage of the variable return pump programming.

Thanks!

 

[Biglew11]

The purpose of a variable pump is to tune to your tanks needs. And to slow it down during feeding. If you turn it up and down during normal operation your tank level will change, your sump level will change causing skimmer issues, and if you run an ato, it will have no idea what's going on with water level. If you top off manually how will you know how much water to add?
Nope we don't turn our return pumps up and down, if you want variable flow in display tank you need some kind of variable powerhead.

 

[Biglew11]

By the way welcome to R2R.

 

[nacl]

Thanks! So, for the return pump, specifically the CORS and Apex, the whole profile thing is more for looks then (at least when only used for a return pump)? I get the whole slowing down the water column for feedings and maintenance. I do have a pair of WAVs for modifying the flow in the DT. That said, sounds like for the return pump, keep that going at "high level" for normal operations and "low level" for feeding or other maintenance and don't mess with it otherwise?

You leapt to my next (unasked) question about handling ATO and other tuning with this. I think I got what I needed here and appreciate the support from the community!

 

[Biglew11]

For return pump the variable speed is largely unused except fo feeding. However some still created a closed loop system. Where the pump takes water directly from the display and pumps it back into the display. Used in this manner the variable speed is of tremendous use.