Another return pump Question Please respond

[Reef Guy11]

Right now I have a Mag 7 in my sump returning to main tank. Now that is 700 gph @ 0 feet but @ 4 feet that 400 gph not good for a 135 gal tank right. Now if some one can tell me the best flow rate for 135 gal tanks that would be helpful i look at the Aqua Sea AMP Master 2100 now is that enough flow for my 135. I am doing this because my hang on overflows stop shiponing all the time and i think it is because the return pump is not pushing enough flow through the tank for the overflow correctly is true or do hang-on over flow just suck.

 

[mountainbiker619]

I would say that the best flow rate is whatever the highest your equipment can handle. Buy a big pump, but a valve on the return side and let it rip. Just use the valve to controll the outgoing flow and see what your overflow can handle.

David

 

[tinyreef]

could be your HOB overflow is crappie.

what is it and what's it rated for btw? the siphon could be continually broken from seeping bubbles from the overflow. a greater flow rate would not insure those bubbles are pushed thru. you'd still need a bleeder or siphon maintainer-whatchamacallits (i use a maxijet w/venturi to constantly suck out the trapped air bubbles)

 

[Reef Guy11]

hey there rc, i think my overflows boxes called Del Reys. There the ones that use the DLS filter roll. I orginally got it for a 100 gal tank, but went with a 90 gal tall tank. I now have a 135 gal. They worked fine in the 90 gal, but it seem that since i have this 135, and my mag 7 don't return all that much water. I feel that i need a more powerful pump. I felt where the water comes out from the PVC, and it is barely even pushing water through.

 

[tinyreef]

have you checked all the mechanical issues? any scaling, clogged prefilter (this is where most of my mag needs cleaning), organic buildup in the pvc input or output (i.e. vermetid snails, algae, etc.)?

if the 90g was the same height as the 125g and you have the same amount of elbows then the flow should be the same as before. especially since you're using the same overflow, right? and if you getting a different feel of pressure that would say to me mechanical prob.

mags are usually very reliable but they do eventually need a cleaning maintenance at least. you may want to get another pump anyway (mag or whatever) as a backup imo.

 

[Reef Guy11]

Yeah i have cleaned it out and all that stuff i actually on the 90 tall i had it as a single return. On the 135 long it has double returns i have tee it in the middle and that may have something to do with it but i want a higher flow pump anyways just because i think it will help the flow of water in my overflow boxes. My overflow boxes are the same that i used on the 90 tall. thanks for the help. oh how often should i clean out the back part of the overflow box

 

[tinyreef]

yeah, the tee would do it. you effectively cut the volume in half and then some because of the intro of at least one more right angle (+1' head).

i try to clean that out once a month. i guess it'd depend on your specific system's buildup. good luck!

 

[Reef Guy11]

Well i Cleaned off the prefilter sponge and actually i took it off for now but the flow is much faster i guess i need to clean it more than i do.