Should I upgrade my return pump?

[Jstn]

I am currently running a Mag 5 with Glass-holes 700 gph kit on a 40 breeder with 15gal sump. I used 3/4 return line (around 30" of head), with a T for a single BRS media reactor. After making a bubble trap for my nwb 110, ive noticed the sump water does not move very fast. Not to mention the side with the return is a bit stagnate since the mp10 is partially blocked by my rockscape. Also in the DT, the water level is barely 1/4 way up the box. I feel a higher flow and turn over rate in the sump with be very beneficial, is it worth the upgrade to a mag 7 or even a mag 9.5? I also have never cleaned my mag 5 in 2 years, I wonder if doing so would yield an improvement in flow.

Thanks

 

[SkiFletch]

It CAN help, but unlikely to do so to a measure that will achieve what you're looking for... Teeing a media reactor off the return pump saps a LOT of flow. Have you tried just turning off the reactor for a bit to see if that makes things more to your liking? If it does, a cheap maxijet or similar would fix your problem without the larger investment of a mag 7.

FWIW, I found a mag 5 to be insufficient for my 65g (same footprint as your 40, just taller). A 7 with 1" pipe though did the trick for me

PS, thanks for the drum

 

[Jstn]

Yeah, I had the reactor on the maxijet, but I want my sump like my tank, simple. I hate when you have a nice tank and the sump looks like a cluster f***. Ive seen used mag 7 go for 60-70 bucks. I might try turning off the reactor and seeing if the flow improves.

I wonder if upgrading the return size to 1" would help too, good point, Im glad that drum worked out for you, the frogspawn accepted food and seems generally happy.

 

[briangsxr1000]

I have a sicce 3.0 that will bump up your flow a lot and is silent. Used for a month. I actually had to downgrade it because it was to much for my over flow. If that I interests you on pm me.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I'd start by upgrading the return plumbing and (I know you rejected this already) running the reactor on a separate pump. iirc Danner specs the flow rate on that pump with 1" plumbing so that would be a good place to start.

 

[Jstn]

The problem is my bulk head is 3/4, would running all 1" too a 3/4 bulk head help my flow, or do i need to redrill my return to 1"?

 

[SkiFletch]

Careful, if you feed that thing often, it'll takeover real fast . You'd be surprised how much thin diameter pipes really sap flow of a pump. Especially in a lifting applications like return pumps. I get it with the sloppy sump thing

Edit, even with the 3/4" fitting, upgrading to 1" pvc will help some

 

[teamdulski]

Cleaning out your mag 5 I think would yield the improvements you are looking for.

 

[cardiffgiant]

After 2 years, it's probably due for a cleaning. I'd take it apart and have a look. I recently cleaned my return pump after 1 year of use and the calcification was pretty incredible. I dose 2 part and kalk into my sump, so I'm not all that surprised. Cleaning made a huge difference for me.

 

[Jstn]

Thanks guys, im going to try to clean it and see if that helps. If not i may pull the trigger on the mag seven.

 

[Jstn]

Cleaned the pump, not much of calcification, just a little sludge. I saw a minor improvement with water level in the DT, but nothing to really brag about. So I think next is upgrade to 1" piping, after inspecing my 3/4" unions I see they really restrict the flow.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yes, standard 3/4" unions and valves really put a damper on flowrate. And the negative effect of right angle fittings is magnified the smaller the tubing diameter .

Will be interested to see what the switch to 1" does