flow through the sump

[kwirky]

Ok, so now I'm trying to guestimate what kind of turnover I'm really getting through my sump and how to throttle it back if I can.

It's a 120g (48x24x24) with a mag 7 for the return. The pump's output is 3/4", which first goes to a 1" adapter. Then it's two 1" 45's (sweep 90), then a 1" check valve and a 1" ball valve, finally adapted back to 3/4" for the gasket, then back to 1" for the pipe that rises to the upper regions of the tank, then out a 1" 90.

Basically it's going through two 1" 45's and a 1" 90, a 1" check valve and a 1" ball valve. I'm guessing I'm getting about 500gph through it so about 4x water turnover.

Would turning down the ball valve (on the output of the pump, no ball valve exists on the input) shorten the life of the pump/impeller in any way? I'm thinking that would be my simple solution to eliminating some noise.

I think I have microbubbles because ****loads of 1/4" sized bubbles cling to the nasty fiber-like that grows on the various plastic things in the tank and when I blow off the rocks with the turkey baster bubbles get blown out from the undersides of the rocks. I have no baffles in my sump unfortunately. I'm planning on getting some eventually but I'd rather upgrade to a larger sump at the same time if possible (when $$ happens).

[Delphinus]

RC has a head loss calculator if you really want to check the loss, but I'm thinking 500gph is a reasonable guesstimate anyhow.

Putting a ball valve on the output of a pump is totally fine. It's just additional head pressure. Interestingly most pumps seem to draw less power when throttled back this way, basically it's the speed of the water that seems to be directly related to consumption, not how high the water is being lifted. I'm not sure if this is true for all pumps but most pump curves that I've looked at seem to indicate this.

If the issue is noise though, I'm curious how you have the overflow setup (Durso, Stockman, etc. ?) and how the pipe enters into the sump. If the pipe comes straight down, you get this splashing effect. Sometimes lowering the pipe so that it exits just under the water surface can help. One thing I've found that makes a big difference is if you can have the pipe come in at an angle, then the water "slides" into the sump as opposed to "falls/splashes" into the sump.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

You can limit the output of your pump with no ill effects. It's only when you limit the input that you start creating problems for the pump.

[kwirky]

Originally Posted by Der_Iron_Chef

You can limit the output of your pump with no ill effects. It's only when you limit the input that you start creating problems for the pump.

thanks. gonna turn it down a bit right now.

and about those filter socks for the returns, how often should they be changed?

[Pescador]

Originally Posted by kwirky

thanks. gonna turn it down a bit right now.

and about those filter socks for the returns, how often should they be changed?

My turnover is about 4.5x per hour and my return is split into two 7" dia. filter socks (the output of the two skimmers share one as well). My turnover seems to keep the cheato happy and the socks take care of the bubbles.
I throw the 3 filters into the washer once a week and change them out with a fresh set.

[danny zubot]

My turnover seems to keep the cheato happy and the socks take care of the bubbles.

Does lower turn over create a better environment for growing chaeto?

[Pescador]

Originally Posted by danny zubot

Does lower turn over create a better environment for growing chaeto?

I know people recommend having it tumbling in a faster flow but I turn it over by hand once in while and I'm taking out about a grocery bag full a month.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Originally Posted by Pescador

My turnover is about 4.5x per hour and my return is split into two 7" dia. filter socks (the output of the two skimmers share one as well). My turnover seems to keep the cheato happy and the socks take care of the bubbles.
I throw the 3 filters into the washer once a week and change them out with a fresh set.

Do you use detergent when you wash them? I would think that you shouldn't.

[Delphinus]

Nope, no detergent. I do use bleach though. And I run them through another cycle without the bleach just to make sure they are really good and rinsed.

[danny zubot]

Mags aren't pressure rated so putting them under additional load would shorten their life shouldn't it? I killed a mag 18 in pretty short time using on a becket skimmer. Personally, I'd get baffles or upgrade the sump like you said. Another trick I use to cut down on micro bubbles is placing LR rubble around my return pump. Then I place my carbon bag on top of that.