Help with return?

[Daniel.DWUW]

So I've done my own plumbing from my sump to my tank (first time ever doing it). I've just gone to test it doesn't leak and well my pump doesn't seem powerful enough? :s
I have the Eheim Compact+ 2000 which is attached to 1 check valve, 1 ball valve, 2 unions, 3 90 degrees, my locline, and obviously the pipes in between... When the pump is on full there's only a little trickle coming out the other end?
My tank is a 33 Gal and the piping is 1 inch, do I need a bigger pump? Do I get rid of the check valve? (which I think is causing the problem), do I go down a size on my piping? What do I do? lol.

 

[Daniel.DWUW]

I've just used the Head loss calculator and it says I have a loss of 2.36 feet... The pump does 2.3 meters so what's my problem? Do I have a dodgy pump that I cant take back because I've had it to long? :/

 

[billdogg]

Get rid of the check valve regardless. It will fail. At the worst possible time. If it is to prevent your sump from overflowing, rethink your plan. The sump MUST be able to hold any drain-back from the DT with all pumps off. (total power loss)

Your pump is only rated at 528gph, and that is before head loss. Try to get rid of the 90's (2 x 45's will result in less restriction), and consider going up one size with the ball valve - they tend to restrict things a bit too. Locline is also notorious for reducing flow. Decreasing your plumbing size will only make the problem worse.

The easiest (and ultimately the best, probably) solution will be to get a bigger pump, in addition to redoing things a bit.

Don't consider the smaller pump to be a waste, however - it will be great for mixing/pumping water change water, and having a backup in case of pump failure never hurts anyway.

If you like the eheim pumps (and I'm a big fan myself) I would think about the 5000. It will have a bit too much flow perhaps, but thats where that ball valve comes into play. You could also run a reactor or two from it.

 

[Daniel.DWUW]

The check valve is the kind with the heavy ball. The sumps only half full when the powers on, so if the power went then there should be enough room for the drain back.
I think I'll just up my pump like you said, and keep this one for mixing. I do like the Eheim pumps because they have a good reputation, but I'll still look into other types.
So how many gallons per hour am I looking at? the compact+ 5000 is 1320gal

 

[nemosworld]

http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-DC-3000-Skimmer-Return-Controller/dp/B00IIUOXZM

 

[jimmyj7090]

I don't know what's up with the head loss calculator, but I don't think it's working right.

I just ran your set up guessing on the actual length of pipe. The calculator seems to think that the 90s don't make any difference. That is wrong, last I heard each 90 should be considered to add a foot to your head loss.

And yes, Definately get rid of that check valve. They inevitably fail in saltwater so you are much better off planning on not needing one than counting on one that WILL fail when you need it most.

 

[Daniel.DWUW]

Wow I've never been introduced to this make before! So I'm deciding between the Jebao DC - 6000 or the Eheim Compact+ 5000

 

[jimmyj7090]

Very different pumps. Eheim are well established AC pumps, and at least the brand has an exceptional reputation.

Those other pumps are fairly new on the market DC pumps. They are controllable, very efficient, but haven't stood much of a test of time. Some of the first generation DC pumps were iffy on the reliablity scale, but the newer ones seem better - though none of them have been in service long enough to know how they hold up long term. (I'm using a reef Octopus DC pump now, so don't take me as a hater of them, just pointing out that we don't really know how long they will last.)

As for your existing pump, keep in mind that the 2.3 meter max head means that it will still be moving a slight trickle at that height, and any higher and the pump shuts down/can't move ANY water.

 

[Daniel.DWUW]

Hmm I'll have to think hard about which pump to go for, I think I would be willing to give the DC a chance, I like that you can adjust the flow from out the water.

 

[jimmyj7090]

It is a very cool feature. They also have a feed button that will shut the pump down for a set time, and when the DC pumps turn on they do so with a soft start which is also nice.

Also, to save you the next question that will probably come up, yes there are several companies selling basically the same pumps under different names. (RLSS, waveline, reef octopus....). I went with RO because they are known to have good customer service (in the US at least)