Ideal Placement For Pump

[Jayhawk88]

I just got a Turbelle Electronic 7300/2. My return is powered by a Mag 7. Right now they are both aimed toward the opposite corner.

1) What would be the optimal way to arrange them? Do I need more water movement in the lower part of the tank? I could lower the Turbelle a little bit (I would just have to silicone the holding bracket).

2) How much could I lower the Turbelle before it started sucking up sand?

3) Should I use the flow deflector?

Also, I wanted to make sure that the driver is safe where it is mounted.

 

[rvitko]

Personally I would place it in the other corner, maybe over the back aimed t the front corner- the depth is good. I would add the flow deflector if the surface movement isn't sufficient. I am a bit concerned with the mounting of all of your electricals, should the tank overflow somehow or the hose burst the result could be catastrophic.

 

[rvitko]

My bad, I didn't see the duckbill coming over the other side. I think the flow is OK, maybe swivel the pump bottom to aim it more forward.

 

[Jayhawk88]

Do you think it would be safer if I moved that strip of GFIs into the stand? The reason I had it installed on the back was because I am going to have a 5 gallon bucket that holds my topoff water right next to my sump. But, I could move the bucket to a remote location.

 

[rvitko]

My bad experience with an IceCap ballast I lost this way would lead me to prefer under the stand- but only if your sump could not splash on it or cause further disaster. If necessary build a small enclosure on the side of the standor the back- so that it is shielded from splash.

 

[Jayhawk88]

Do you remember if that Icecap ballast you lost was plugged into a GFI? Would it make a difference. Because all my equipment will be plugged into GFIs. Inorder to move the GFI strip into my stand I would have to take the water out of tank so that I can move it. And then I'm not sure how difficult moving the strip itself will be (I had an electrician install it). Now, if it would make my aquarium significantly safer, I'm certainly willing to do it. One other thing that you couldn't see from that picture is that my wall outlet is right behind that hose.

Back to my original question for a second. Under normal operation, would that driver be ok where it is? I was a little concerned that perhaps condensation from the sump my get to it. It's been there for 2 days now and that hasn't happened, but I just wanted to make sure.

By the way, I'm the guy (Mike) who spoke to you on the phone Monday about the defective driver. I got the replacement from Marine Depot on Wednesday, and everything is working great now. I really like the powerhead.

 

[rvitko]

Hey Mike, glad to hear it worked out. I think the position is fine but if you get saltwater on electronics they are ruined- period. The GFI is to save you- not the device. I would advise a small panel be placed over it, heck a gutter piece could probably do pretty well for this application. You just need to shield the electronics.