Need Help

[99DJ]

I am new to the reef world. I have a 55 gallon tank. I drilled two 2" outlets to a 25 gallon sump/refguium with 1" PVC pipe with a single return of the same size. I am using a 500GPH return pump. I am having trouble with getting balance/flow correct? I am running a test and can't get the levels right. Every line has a valve. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[edd]

i think your pump is too small. each 1" drain can drain 600gph x 2=1200gph.
500gph minus head pressure is too small.

 

[99DJ]

Ordered a 1200gph we will see how it works. Thanks for the help! Next week I should be starting the tank! I am going to cycle the tank with live rock. I have read this seems to popular and successful. Do I cycle with lights off or on? I have read it doesn't matter unless you start to have algae.

 

[jrobbins]

i am not sure i understand exactly what you mean by the levels not being right, but here is what i can add...

1. it is highly unlikely that your overflow drains 600gph in reality.

2. the durso will work whether you push 500 or 1000 gph through it. so i dont see what getting a bigger pump will do. if your drain isn't adequately handling 500 gph, how will it handle 1200??

3. if your return section in the sump keeps moving up and down the odds are you are getting a siphon in your durso. try making the hole on top bigger.

4. getting a 1200gph pump for your return will mostly likely just means that you will have to throttle it back or else you will overpower your drains and burn a lot more electricity than you need to. your return is probably one of the largest users of electricity and generators of heat in your tank.

5. cycle with the lights off unless you like paying ConEd and growing algae.

 

[99DJ]

I agree that the 500 should have worked but I wanted more flow as well.
Thanks for the help! I'm on the forth day of cycling and the levels are perfect.

 

[QueensRob]

Great posts from everyone bu I had the same problem. It all had to do with letting air in drain lines. l get more flow now by shoving a airline tube in the pipe.