Pump vs overflow gph rating issue.

sde1500

Active member
So I am in the process of getting a new tank up and running. Last tank was just a little 10 gallon nano that was nice, but too small. Now starting a 65 gallon tank with eshopps rs-100 sump.

I bought the tank used, so rather than risk drilling a back that I don't know if it is tempered or not, I got a hob overflow. Eshopps pf-800. Rated for 800 gph. For my return I have a Sicce Syncra silent 3.0. Rated for 714 gph, about 600 after my head loss.

The problem I'm facing now is, I turn the pump on and it quickly pushes water into the tank, the return section drops below minimum level and it starts sucking air. I first figured I was short a little water so I added a few gallons as it was running. The water level in the tank itself went up but the pump kept sucking air. The overflow looks like it's not draining fast enough. I didn't add any valve to the return because I figured the difference in gph should make that unnecessary, but is it as simple as I just need to slow down the return?
 
Eshopps PF800 may rate it for 800 GPH max. But the proof is in front of you that it cannot run 600GPH.

Eshopps 800 use's a 1 in bulkhead. So I would cut the flow down to around 300 GPH. [A Sicce Syncra 2.0 would be a better match] Just closely watch the
U-tube for air bubbles collecting in it. If you see that happening ,increase the flow till they are pulled thru the U-tube. But try not to exceed 375GPH as that is where many feel is the limit for safely using a 1 inch that is also flowing air mixed with the water.
 
Well thats a bit of a bummer to hear. So time to rework my return to include a valve to cut the flow I guess. I'll stick with the 3.0, since its already in, and having the stronger pump gives me options if I want tee off the return to run something else as well.
 
Back
Top