mag 9.5 to much?

[svynx]

I have a 55 gallon that I just set up. It has a corner overflow with a stovepipe.

I tested the plumbing today to check for leaks. Found a few, but I think I took care of them.
Here's my problem. If I turn the pump on all the way, it overpowers the stovepipe, and the pipe can't handle the water flow aka the water level in the overflow increases too much to the point of overflowing the tank. Should I just keep the pump turned down, or is there a better one out there?

 

[Aquarist007]

what size of sump do you have?

btw stovepipes are called dursos

 

[svynx]

I"m not sure what the gallon size is, but it's 36 long, 16 tall, and 12 deep.

 

[Aquarist007]

you should be able to add a series of baffles to the sump that will slow it down. Try running a filter sock over the intake to the sump this will help filter and slow the water down.

 

[jjkief86]

mag 9.5 is a bit much for a 55gal. Put a valve on the the pump. Ir if you can take the pump back and get something in the 400gph range.
Is this a fish or reef system?

 

[ACBlinky]

If you're overpowering the overflow, you want less GPH through the sump. I agree the Mag 9.5 is a bit much for a 55g, and it's definitely too strong for the plumbing you've built, judging from your description.

I'd get a ball valve, so you can dial down the flow going from the pump into the tank. I contacted the company about this when I set up my 90g, and they told me it's entirely safe to restrict flow coming out of a Mag pump, but it's not safe to restrict the intake. A ball valve should fit the bill nicely.

HTH

 

[Vinnie71975]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11665324#post11665324 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by svynx
I"m not sure what the gallon size is, but it's 36 long, 16 tall, and 12 deep.

To figure gallons you do this:

36x16=576x12=6912 Divided By 231=29.922077922077922088922078 Gallons when completely full

 

[Shooter7]

Or just use the calculator on the home page.

 

[svynx]

I have a ball valve on it, I just didn't know if it would cause damage to the pump to restrict it's flow. Thanks ACBlinky for the info.
And thanks to everyone else as well.
Have any of you tried to do an inline with a Mag? How loud is it? Will it overheat? My sump is drilled to do it, but I've heard horror stories about it.

 

[Sk8r]

Huh! I used a mag 9.5 on my 54 bow and thought it too weak...I wonder about your downflow/return hose diameter, whether that's constricting the flow.

Valving it down won't hurt the pump: it just 'thinks' it's lifting the water further.

 

[ccoral]

a 1" durso max flow is around 600 gph and runs better around 500 gph. Valving the pump down is ok however the pump may get noisy and then why run an 93 watt pump to do the job a 30 watt pump will. Extra wattage equals heat and for all with aquariums in the summer this is a major problem.
HF 12 and is only 40 watts

 

[reggiepe]

I have a 9.5 on my 75gal. It is pushing through a chiller which slows the flow down considerably.

 

[jpitts101]

Can you just use loc line and split the flow? I've seen it do wonders plus may eliminate a powerhead or two.

 

[svynx]

I used 1" PVC for my downflow, and a 1" flex tube for my return. I do have a "S" trap right under my overflow, and then it runs across the stand to the other side before it drops down to the sump.

 

[ccoral]

it is the drain that may be the problem. A bigger pump is not always better. I use only 1.5" drains so a larger pump can be used and eliminating pumps in tank

 

[mg426]

A mag 9.5 sounds like way to much for a 55. I use one on my 125 and it is plenty. You can always use the valve idea or even divert some of the flow to your refugium section.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11667830#post11667830 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
Huh! I used a mag 9.5 on my 54 bow and thought it too weak...I wonder about your downflow/return hose diameter, whether that's constricting the flow.

Valving it down won't hurt the pump: it just 'thinks' it's lifting the water further.

I thought of doing that with my mag3600 but is pure wastage of power with these mags. I'd replace the mag if I could
the 3600 uses over 350 watts per hour==:eek2:

You don't need that much flow through the sump area--5 -10 times or match the skimmer output
In hindsight I could get away with a much more economical pump that uses about half the wattage.

 

[jubjub]

i run a 9.5 on my 55gallon with a 20long sump...buttttt i will say it recommends 1.5" plumbing for full 950gph im running 1" into 2x .75" plumbing so that sllows it down to along with i have it T'd off to spit some back into my fuge. so yes its prob a bit much but i bought it considering the price was only like 10$ more with hopes of upgrading in the future to a 75/90g

but it sounds like your drain is to small

 

[reefergeorge]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11667995#post11667995 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ccoral
Valving the pump down is ok however the pump may get noisy and then why run an 93 watt pump to do the job a 30 watt pump will. Extra wattage equals heat and for all with aquariums in the summer this is a major problem.

When you use a ball valve you are decreasing the work the pump has to do. So the wattage is dropped. It is just spinning the water instead of pushing it. My mag 9.5 runs at 76 watts with 1.25 plumbing to the bulkhead.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11670552#post11670552 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefergeorge
When you use a ball valve you are decreasing the work the pump has to do. So the wattage is dropped. It is just spinning the water instead of pushing it. My mag 9.5 runs at 76 watts with 1.25 plumbing to the bulkhead.

I hope you are right===I was told the opposite ==that you can't drop the wattage in mag pumps===you have to go to a blue line etc???

anyone else comment on this?