1,000 GPH
- Thread starter SSalty
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Reef Sponger
In Memoriam
The Eheim 1250 would be a much better fit.
Re: 1,000 GPH
In my opinion, it's not too much flow.
Depending on if it's pressure rated or not, the head pressure will greatly decrease the output.
Even a pressure rated pump, you're looking at least 6' of head, your pump is realistically pushing more like 600 gph (on the high end).
Your pump isn't pushing more than 10x your tank volume, which is either just about right or even not enough depending on what you are stocking your tank with. Based on all this, it's not too much.
Now your sump may be too small. That might be something to look into. And what kind of baffle system do you have? I don't use them very often, but some of my friends use microfiber bags and they claim that the bags cut their microbubbles out.
In my opinion, it's not too much flow.
Depending on if it's pressure rated or not, the head pressure will greatly decrease the output.
Even a pressure rated pump, you're looking at least 6' of head, your pump is realistically pushing more like 600 gph (on the high end).
Your pump isn't pushing more than 10x your tank volume, which is either just about right or even not enough depending on what you are stocking your tank with. Based on all this, it's not too much.
Now your sump may be too small. That might be something to look into. And what kind of baffle system do you have? I don't use them very often, but some of my friends use microfiber bags and they claim that the bags cut their microbubbles out.
There isn't any 1000 GPH rated pump, pressure or otherwise, that is going to be putting 1000 out at 6' of head.
Even if it were, 1000 GPH is only 20x turnover for a 55 gallon tank, which is recommended by many for a number of different applications.
The pump isn't the problem, it's the "double" baffle holding the foam piece...which is in all probability only one bubble gate (a single baffle).
I'd say a minimum baffle system would be one up, one down, and one up >> output.
Even if it were, 1000 GPH is only 20x turnover for a 55 gallon tank, which is recommended by many for a number of different applications.
The pump isn't the problem, it's the "double" baffle holding the foam piece...which is in all probability only one bubble gate (a single baffle).
I'd say a minimum baffle system would be one up, one down, and one up >> output.
It is 3-5 times the system volume through the sump on recommendation, not 20x. That comes through the implementation of closed loops and quality powerheads. His headloss is likely closer to 4' depending on the set up and even 600gph is way too much through a 20 gallon sump. Why add band-aid if they are not needed. A flow of 150-250gph is plenty for his system and will make his skimming more efficient.
SSalty,
It's important to realize that what Hop implies, that there is an actual flow rate consensus, is not accurate in the sense that there are long-running debates on this forum alone about what is and what is not the right amount of flow to run through your sump. Even experts don't agree all the time on this subject. You might decide to read through those kinds of threads if you are inclined to do so. There are no definitive recommendations for tank or sump flow that make one answer more correct than another. Flow through your tank and/or sump is subjective and relates to desire and design.
In my opinion, it's silly to debate whether you have 6ft or 4ft of head. The point I was making by choosing that number is that you are not actually pushing the number on your pump's sticker. If you must know where I came up with that, a rule of thumb is to add a ft of pressure per 90 elbow and a few feet of vertical height since I'm assuming you use a normal height stand. I don't consider your pipe diameter, but I'm going to have to guess that it's not 2".
The point is, that you are not pushing 1000 GPH through your sump. It doesn't matter what the actual number is because it will decrease even further over the life of your pump due to organic build up and wear and tear. Furthermore, even if you were pushing that much flow through your sump, it wouldn't be too much because people do flow 20x their volume through their sumps all the time.
That said, I wasn't giving you a minimum flow rate recommendation.
What I was telling you is that a lot of people successfully push 20x the turnover volume through their sumps without issue. I don't know what Hon means by adding a band-aid to the problem. To me, that would be turning down flow unneccessarily. If you want to get rid of your microbubbles, add some means of catching the bubbles, right?
To do that, you'll need more than just one bubble barrier.
You need a bubble trap that directs the flow against a barrier, forces the water under it while the bubbles rise, pushes the water over a barrier, and under a barrier while any residual bubbles rise once again. Instead of or in addition to this type of bubble trap, you can use a microfiber bag. This bag will reduce bubbles, reduce noise, and catch larger debris from your tank. I don't see how any of those suggestions as a band-aid, the first is good sump design, the 2nd has more purposes than just catching bubbles that lots of people prefer to use anyway, but each person designs his or her tank differently.
EDIT: There is one other thing I can think of that will get rid of your microbubbles. You can encase your output with a box. For example, if you have a bulkhead for your output, then you can put a box around the bulkhead hole where the box only has openings in the bottom. That way, bubbles rising won't go into the bulkhead and water passes through the bottom and into your pump.
It's important to realize that what Hop implies, that there is an actual flow rate consensus, is not accurate in the sense that there are long-running debates on this forum alone about what is and what is not the right amount of flow to run through your sump. Even experts don't agree all the time on this subject. You might decide to read through those kinds of threads if you are inclined to do so. There are no definitive recommendations for tank or sump flow that make one answer more correct than another. Flow through your tank and/or sump is subjective and relates to desire and design.
In my opinion, it's silly to debate whether you have 6ft or 4ft of head. The point I was making by choosing that number is that you are not actually pushing the number on your pump's sticker. If you must know where I came up with that, a rule of thumb is to add a ft of pressure per 90 elbow and a few feet of vertical height since I'm assuming you use a normal height stand. I don't consider your pipe diameter, but I'm going to have to guess that it's not 2".
The point is, that you are not pushing 1000 GPH through your sump. It doesn't matter what the actual number is because it will decrease even further over the life of your pump due to organic build up and wear and tear. Furthermore, even if you were pushing that much flow through your sump, it wouldn't be too much because people do flow 20x their volume through their sumps all the time.
That said, I wasn't giving you a minimum flow rate recommendation.
What I was telling you is that a lot of people successfully push 20x the turnover volume through their sumps without issue. I don't know what Hon means by adding a band-aid to the problem. To me, that would be turning down flow unneccessarily. If you want to get rid of your microbubbles, add some means of catching the bubbles, right?
To do that, you'll need more than just one bubble barrier.
You need a bubble trap that directs the flow against a barrier, forces the water under it while the bubbles rise, pushes the water over a barrier, and under a barrier while any residual bubbles rise once again. Instead of or in addition to this type of bubble trap, you can use a microfiber bag. This bag will reduce bubbles, reduce noise, and catch larger debris from your tank. I don't see how any of those suggestions as a band-aid, the first is good sump design, the 2nd has more purposes than just catching bubbles that lots of people prefer to use anyway, but each person designs his or her tank differently.
EDIT: There is one other thing I can think of that will get rid of your microbubbles. You can encase your output with a box. For example, if you have a bulkhead for your output, then you can put a box around the bulkhead hole where the box only has openings in the bottom. That way, bubbles rising won't go into the bulkhead and water passes through the bottom and into your pump.
Last edited:
frank2926
Active member
Did the problem just start? or have they always been there?
if they have always been there the easy answer is a filter bag.
if the bubbles just started then its another issue. Pump has something in it algae etc. Or a fitting has come lose and is acting as a venturi. Are you using loc line, loc line is famous for leaking air.
if they have always been there the easy answer is a filter bag.
if the bubbles just started then its another issue. Pump has something in it algae etc. Or a fitting has come lose and is acting as a venturi. Are you using loc line, loc line is famous for leaking air.
SSalty
New member
Thanks for all of the replies, but I am more confused now with what I should do.
The bubbles are not coming from my sump, I checked with a flashlight and there are no micro bubbles to be found in the sump. They are definatly coming from somewhere between the pump and the plumbing going back to the tank.
The pump is a:
Aqua Euro Usa, Sub/pond pump series
Hmax 8.7 ft
Gmax 1,000 GPH
---I did not pick out this pump my LFS did.
IS THE PUMP TOO BIG OR NOT??????
Here are some pics....
The bubbles are not coming from my sump, I checked with a flashlight and there are no micro bubbles to be found in the sump. They are definatly coming from somewhere between the pump and the plumbing going back to the tank.
The pump is a:
Aqua Euro Usa, Sub/pond pump series
Hmax 8.7 ft
Gmax 1,000 GPH
---I did not pick out this pump my LFS did.
IS THE PUMP TOO BIG OR NOT??????
Here are some pics....
the pump is *fine*
the guy at your local shop helped you pick it out...he deals with a lot more systems than you do and a lot more than many of us.
the difference between pump models is probably like $5, so I really doubt he was just selling you some monstrous pump to make an extra buck.
it looks like your pump is too close to the surface of the sump water. if so, it'll pull air in while pulling water. Are there any little whirpools around the intake slits? Try pushing your pump further underwater and see whether that helps.
And if that's your return pump with the little black tubing going to it, then take the black tube and make sure it's completely submerged. It's a venturi and intended to introduce air into the system.
the guy at your local shop helped you pick it out...he deals with a lot more systems than you do and a lot more than many of us.
the difference between pump models is probably like $5, so I really doubt he was just selling you some monstrous pump to make an extra buck.
it looks like your pump is too close to the surface of the sump water. if so, it'll pull air in while pulling water. Are there any little whirpools around the intake slits? Try pushing your pump further underwater and see whether that helps.
And if that's your return pump with the little black tubing going to it, then take the black tube and make sure it's completely submerged. It's a venturi and intended to introduce air into the system.
it's hard to see from the pictures, but is the braided tubing your return line? If so, it's the one with the coupling, right? Check that for leaks.
Whatever the case, if you don't have any bubbles in your sump then the flow rate is obviously not too much. That's the answer to the question you keep asking. Check your plumbing.
Whatever the case, if you don't have any bubbles in your sump then the flow rate is obviously not too much. That's the answer to the question you keep asking. Check your plumbing.
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