How to maximize my return pump

[grubsnaek]

i have a Mag12 for my sump return pump. i have a dual overflow box rated at 1200gph. i have the two 1" returns going to my sump.
my plumbing from the sump pump to the DT is 1" pvc pipe. i have two 1" u-tubes pulling the water into the overflow box.
heres my problem:
i know my Mag12 is rated at 1200gph but afte head loss (5ft) and elbows, using 1" plumbing. i should be getting about 1000gph out of it.
now with the overflow its rated and 1200gph but should not be maxed out. wich is good cause the return pump only pushes around 1000gph.
got me so far. now the doozzy.
i have to throttle my return pump back severly with a ball valve and cant figure it out. i was told to go with the Mag18 and went with the 12. i know for a fact that i should not be cutting this back at all. should i use 3/4 tubing cause that what the hook ups are on the return pump.
any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

[topofsteel]

I'm planing my overflow system and recently read the size and spacing of the teeth can be a limiting factor. There is Mod to remove the teeth and hot glue some plastic screen in their place to increase flow. Just one thought.

 

[grubsnaek]

where do i get the plasic screen

 

[backcountr]

its gutterguard any hardware store

 

[grubsnaek]

thank you.

 

[pete43]

if you dont have 3/4" tubing let me know I have some extra
and let me know when you want to meet up,I got some red mushrooms I found under my live rock.
pt43@comcast.net So long -Pete

 

[grubsnaek]

word you remembered me, pete43 just asking how old are you.

 

[crash&burn]

If I’m understanding you right? it sounds like your pump is sucking to much water out of the return chamber of your sump, so you need to throttle the return pump down to keep from sucking all the water out and from getting micro bubbles in the DT, right?
If this is the problem then you have a couple of choices.
One make a bigger sump with a bigger return chamber or the easier way is to plumb 3/4 pipe to the returns.
It has been my experience that if the sump is to small the return pump draws all the water out of the sump or makes it flow real fast and hectic.
What size tank do you have? What is your drainage and what is the return rate needed?
With any pump if you increase the size of the return pipe you maximize the pump.
Yes if you go and get gutter guard and cut the slots of the over flows and put gutter guard over the holes you will maximize the over flow rate.
Also raising and lowering the drain pipe will allow more water in the DT and lowing water in the sump.
For me, I found if I keep the return ¾ all the way to the loc-line with one “Tee” and two elbows I had no problems with my mag 12 on my 125 AGA over flows.
I have heard that some people use 1” plumbed up right from the return pump, even in my 125 with a 55 gallon sump I still have suction problems and have to throttle back my pump.
Just my two cents

 

[grubsnaek]

i have a 125DT and a 55g sump. the sump is already under the stand an going. i have a dual overflow box with two stockman standpipes. they are drained by 1" spaflex down into the sump. i've heard of making the return chamber bigger but i thought no matter how what is should for the most part even out. but my return pump is throttled way back.
to give you an idea. its rated for 1200gph and i say after head loss and ball valve throttled back, maybe just maybe im getting about 300-400gph. crazy.
i do have my return line set up with 1" from the return pump all the way back to the DT. u said that "Also raising and lowering the drain pipe will allow more water in the DT and lowing water in the sump." i will include a picture of the back of my overflow box. let me know if its to high.
i just bought a thing of that gutter guard. will be playing arts and crafts later.
WHAT ARE LOC-LINES????

 

[crash&burn]

Oh, ok. Your using H.O.T over flow. Maybe its me, I thought you had a 125 with built in over flows.
Re-plumb the returns to ¾” to choke back the pump. By using ¾ pipe you will most likely not need the ball valve to throttle back the pump.
Maybe the your stockman pipes are not draining 600 GPH as estimated?
Loc-line are modular piping returns that connect off the return line
If 1200 GPH is draining and more then 1200 GPH is being returned then simply one of two things are wrong, drain calculations are off or the pump is opened up fully and able to expel more then the drains can handle.
Does the tank over flow or bring the water right to the top of the tank when the pump sucks all the water out of the sump?
Like I said, I tried everything to max my pumps output but in the end the 1” pipe was allowing to much water to be returned to the DT with no more force/water movement. The ¾ returns allows my pump to run and not have to turn my valves down and throttle them back, while still achieving a nice water movement in my tank.
Not to knock anyone on the board who plumb up. I have found that while yes you can maximize the pump return by plumbing up to the next inch, You need to modify the drains to accept a faster volume of return water.
Maybe its me, but I have not figured out how to plumb up to maximize my pumps and keep a steady flow rate and smooth flowing sump.

 

[sharkbait9]

I thought you were running built in over flows. I now see you have a H.OT. Over flow. How many elbows are running?
Elbows really slow down the flow, and that could be the problem you are having with the noise and slow flow. On the bend of the 90degree elbows the water bounces around and air jostles making noise and slowing flow, not allowing a nice smooth flow.
You could try and maximize your return flow with “spa flex. Spa flex will contort a little so the bends are not as drastic as say a 90 or 45 degree elbow. Hence allowing a nice smooth flow straight down to the sump allowing the sump to fill as fast as the pump is returning with maybe a little turn of the ball valve.
I know the lowes over on 35 by the BJ’S sells it, that’s were I got mine at.
Loc-line is modular hose used for the return to help point/aim the flow of your return. If you are using pvc plumbed over the edge of the tank add a “X” size fpt X slip and add loc-line to help aim the flow to how you want it.

 

[grubsnaek]

my return lines from the overflow box is plumbed with spaflex. the only thing that has elbows is the return from the sump pump.

 

[sharkbait9]

check your stockman pipes. That's the only thing i can think of that would be giving you the problems. Are your stockmans joined together to make one drain line?or do you have two seperate lines running to the sump. Do you have the end of the drains under water to much causing back pressure on the lines? The lines need to end right at the water surface, giving a smooth out flow into the sump.

 

[grubsnaek]

no i currently have two retrns going down to the sump. the stockmans are alright. this is my first time giving it a go.