return pump question

[melev]

A Mag 12 is plenty. A Mag 9.5 or even a Mag 7 would suffice. Restricting the Mag 12 doesn't do much for energy consumption (24/7) nor lessen the heat that pump puts off. Btw, what size pipe is connected to that Mag 12? 3/4" or 1.5" plumbing?

The drain line should be submerged about 1/2" under the water.

Do you have a Durso standpipe on the drainline? Is the vent hole unobstructed by salt creep?

Less flow through your sump (you said refugium? ) will quiet things down.

 

[melev]

@acat1976 wrote:

It is important to clarify what you are talking about when you say sump/fuge. The sump is the entire acrylic box, typically designed to hold your equipment.

A refugium is a predator-free zone that usually contains sand, live rock rubble and macro algae, lighted from above to encourage plant growth.

The return line is too small for that pump, but the pump is too big as well. You could swap it out with a smaller pump with larger plumbing - Mag 5 or Mag 7 with 1" plumbing going up to the tank. You'll reduce the flow going through the sump, you'll reduce heat from the pump, and you'll use less electricity.

Another thing you can do if you want to help silence the drainline, once you've gotten a smaller/slower return pump:

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[737mech]

I built one like that and the end is capped off.

 

[melev]

@acat1976 wrote:

Yes, you'll need a 3/4" to 1" (or 1.5") bushing. Normally, the inside of the bushing is threaded to screw onto the pump, and the other side is a slip fitting, to glue into the next PVC fitting.

Still, I'd recommend you get a smaller pump first.

 

[melev]

@acat1976 wrote:

Here's one more picture:

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