First tank isn't going so well with set up

tsouth · 10-12-2007, 12:26 AM

Well the time has come to set up my first tank! 55 gal with pro clear aquatics wet/dry and overflow set up. The pump is in the tank is a Catalina Aquarium 1800. I am having problems with the sump drying out and the tank overflowing. I raised the overflow to it's lowest and still no progress. I was told that the pump could be too powerful? Any insight would be great! Thanks for your time.

clownfish · 10-12-2007, 01:03 AM

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tsouth · 10-12-2007, 01:45 AM

Thank you for the reply clownfish! It seems as if my pump is way overpowered for my setup. Thanks again!

New2Salt · 10-12-2007, 02:13 AM

Hey TSouth - just so I understand, why was the pump's strength the problem? Was it expelling the water so fast that the other chambers were filling too fast?

tsouth · 10-12-2007, 02:24 AM

The pump's strength was causing the main tank to overfill with water The overflow was not draining fast enough to level out the sump causing the water level to become too low inside the sump and eventually drying it out.

bawest · 10-12-2007, 04:06 AM

I had this problem before. I put a tee in the pump line to return some of the water directly back into the sump. This way, I can control how much water goes into the tan.
Just an Idea.

target001 · 10-12-2007, 05:23 PM

maybe yer over flow hole needs to be bigger with some bigger pipping lil bit more expencive id imagine or go with the T peice idea

bulltrader · 10-12-2007, 05:45 PM

Hi,
Can't you choke back the flow from the pump that's what I do. I have valves on my overflows and return pump and I adjust both to get the right flow and it works perfectly.

coral reefer · 10-12-2007, 05:54 PM

Hi, I feel for your problem and frustration!
I have had my fair share and will continue to do so, unfortunately! Any way, I was going to say that your pump was too strong for the overflows! I don't suggest putting a gate or ball valve inline to curb the flow produced by the pump as it will cause your pump to generate more heat and will decrease the life of your pump IMO.

bawest · 10-12-2007, 06:07 PM

If you use a valve as a flow restrictor, it will add plenty of heat and work on your pump. If you use a valve and a tee, the flow is still flowing through the pipe. You will still have the same flow from the pump, it will just be redirected back into the sump instead of the tank. I agree that just putting a valve without a drain will add work to the pump causing it to overwork, but a tee that drains will add minimal pressure loss to the system. the pressure loss will come after the tee, not at the pump. A tee in the line should not add heat to the system. It's no different that splitting the flow at the tank into several ports. You get some pressure loss in each fitting, but the pressure and flow on the pump should be the same.