return pump

[kracker]

What is a good size return pump for a 55gal reef tank running a wet dry?

 

[cathy]

I SEEM TO BE HAVING THAT SITUATION MY PUMP SEEMS TO BE MORE POWERFUL THAT THE OVERFLOW, IS THERE A WAY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE A 75GAL WET/DRY SET UP WITH A MAG #7 <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[cathy]

WHERE CAN I FIND A BALL VALVE

 

[greggy]

any lowes or home depot etc, make sure it is NOT a metal one though

 

[cathy]

I TRIED THAT BUT IT'S NOT WORKING PROPERLY I HAVE THE VALVE ALMOST COMPLETLY SHUT. WHAT I DID WAS CUT THE PLASTIC TUBING & PUT THE CONNECTERS ON CLAMPED THE TUBING ON BOTH ENDS THE PUMP SOUNDS LIKE IT'S WORKING TO HARD & THE PLASTIC TUBING HAS SO MUCH PRESSURE BUILT UP IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BURST.

 

[rhomer]

So now you tell me. I already put in a ball valve.
I installed the ball valve before I completely figured out how to tweak my overflow box. I filled both sides of the overflow as much as possible. I made sure that the siphon tube was completely full of water, no air. Then I lowered the overflow in the aquarium until the sump was filling faster than the pump could pump out, I then slowly moved it back up.

 

[drkegel]

OK, putting a valve in the line is like putting a band-aid on a broken leg, IMO. The pump's not going to be happy with all that back pressure, and obviously the tubing isn't either. In fact, you will significantly affect the life of the pump by restricting its flow like that.
The proper solution here is to either:
1. get a new pump that runs fewer GPH.
2. get a new overflow that can handle the existing pumps throughput.
I know people use valves like this, but that's not what they were really intended to do.

 

[cathy]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU BUT I HAVE IT ALL UNDER CONTROL. THE OVERFLOW BOX WAS NOT ADJUSTED PROPERLY & WASN'T TAKEN ON ENOUGH WATER & NOW EVERYTHINGS FINE & I DON'T EVEN NEED A VALVE.

 

[lordofthereef]

LORDOFTHEREEF!!!!!
HE'S THE CAPS KING AROUND HERE!! THERE ISN'T ROOM ENOUGH FOR THE BOTH OF US!!!!!