WetDry Pump Question

[tbui1178]

I finally got my wetdry working as expected for a few days, then I hear a funny noises coming from my sump. Looks like the pump (mag18) is pumping more water into the tank then my overflow can put in. I wanted to see if the experts could give ideas how to fix this. I came up with 4 ideas, but don't know which one to go with...

1) Buy smaller pump (don't want to buy new gear since I just bought Mag18)
2) Buy bigger overflow box (current overflow rated at 1200gph)
3) Put a valve on the outlet to slow down the flow into the tank (worried this will cause my pump to breakdown early. true? IDK)
4) Put a T-valve on the outlet to have water go back into the tank and some water move back to the sump (address concerns with pump breaking down early)

I prefer not to spend additional money as I just bought all these items, but at the end of the day, I want to do what's best for my equipment.

Please post your thoughts as to which option you think is the best and feel free to post new options.

Thanks!

[dwhit0725]

Hey Thomas,

If I were you I would put a valve on the pump to adjust the flow. I have valves on all my pumps and have never had a problem.

Detra

[tbui1178]

If I were you I would put a valve on the pump to adjust the flow. I have valves on all my pumps and have never had a problem.

Hey Detra,
I heard this makes the pump loud when you add a valve to the outlet. Any truth to this?

[Cesar]

put a bypass in, basically is a tee with a valve at the top, as you restrict the flow to the tank it will bypass into the tank, you will need to put a restricter in the bypass tube other wise all the water will flow out the bypass and not to the tank. Ive got some pictures in the diy forum about the one I made its on the second page, W/D install.

[dwhit0725]

Hey Detra,
I heard this makes the pump loud when you add a valve to the outlet. Any truth to this?

I haven't had that happen to me. I can't hear my pumps at all. It's cheap, quick, and effective.

[PhishPhreek]

Southern engineering

Put a "T" in the return line and pipe it back to the W/D inlet, then cap it and drill a small hole in the cap. Start with a small hole. you can always make it bigger, but it's hard to make it smaller.

[76dragon]

What I eventually had to do is to put some media into the return pvc pipe. It quieted the noise significantly. The problem is that it has to be cleaned regularly to keep it from getting clogged.

I have the same problem that you have. I even bought another pump, mag 12 and it did the same thing. Still too loud. now I am just thinking about puting a timer on the pump to turn it off at night between 11 and 7 in the morning.

Sorry I didn't pm you back.,

Phung

[Zulaab]

I finally got my wetdry working as expected for a few days, then I hear a funny noises coming from my sump. Looks like the pump (mag1 is pumping more water into the tank then my overflow can put in. I wanted to see if the experts could give ideas how to fix this. I came up with 4 ideas, but don't know which one to go with...

1) Buy smaller pump (don't want to buy new gear since I just bought Mag18) DONT BUY A NEW PUMP
2) Buy bigger overflow box (current overflow rated at 1200gph) -- What kind you have ? Dual inputs or single input. What size input pipes ?
3) Put a valve on the outlet to slow down the flow into the tank (worried this will cause my pump to breakdown early. true? IDK) You can do this but I have about 10 other ways where you dont, just need to know some information
4) Put a T-valve on the outlet to have water go back into the tank and some water move back to the sump (address concerns with pump breaking down early)Some people do that. I dont.. again there are ways to solve this issue where you dont have to do this

I prefer not to spend additional money as I just bought all these items, but at the end of the day, I want to do what's best for my equipment. My Fix is going to run you about $10 at lowes/homedepot

Please post your thoughts as to which option you think is the best and feel free to post new options.

Thanks!

This is easily fixed.
I NEED !!!! to know what kind of sump you have .. this is more important than anything else, then I need to know what size down pipe you are using, and third, measure the length from the MAG 18 (the hose) to the bottom of the tank and then the height of the front glass of your tank

Then I can make the calculations and tell you exactly what your best bet is to do

Thanks
Jesper

[tbui1178]

This is easily fixed.
I NEED !!!! to know what kind of sump you have .. this is more important than anything else, then I need to know what size down pipe you are using, and third, measure the length from the MAG 18 (the hose) to the bottom of the tank and then the height of the front glass of your tank

Thanks for everyone's feedback thus far!

I have an ADG sump. One of those big 30x16x12ish sumps (not sure exact dimensions). Was told it should easily handle over 300g. Hope that bit of information helps with the sump description.

I have a dual input overflow box with 2 - 1inch inputs (I think that is the size).

The input hoses are 2 flex pipes which I believe are 1.25 inches (not sure). I assume that are the standard pipes.

The length of the output hose is roughly about 6ft. It could be slightly longer because there is a little excess that I did not cut so the hose doesn't exactly go straight up and down.

[tbui1178]

I have the same problem that you have. I even bought another pump, mag 12 and it did the same thing. Still too loud. now I am just thinking about puting a timer on the pump to turn it off at night between 11 and 7 in the morning.

Hey Phung,
This is a different problem then the 1 I pm'ed you about... just 1 of my endless problems.. LOL! :icon_hang:

[Zulaab]

What I eventually had to do is to put some media into the return pvc pipe. It quieted the noise significantly. The problem is that it has to be cleaned regularly to keep it from getting clogged.

I have the same problem that you have. I even bought another pump, mag 12 and it did the same thing. Still too loud. now I am just thinking about puting a timer on the pump to turn it off at night between 11 and 7 in the morning.

Sorry I didn't pm you back.,

Phung

Phung DO NOT stop a pump from running.. you are going to stress the fish, dont do it please... find another solution

[Zulaab]

Thanks for everyone's feedback thus far!

I have an ADG sump. One of those big 30x16x12ish sumps (not sure exact dimensions). Was told it should easily handle over 300g. Hope that bit of information helps with the sump description.

Single top input like mine ? Mine can handle a 400g tank -- yours the same.

I have a dual input overflow box with 2 - 1inch inputs (I think that is the size).

Run them together and then into a single 1.5" pipe, because this is the size the single input is on mine.

The input hoses are 2 flex pipes which I believe are 1.25 inches (not sure). I assume that are the standard pipes.

Are you talking about Oceanic/AGA stand pipes ?

The length of the output hose is roughly about 6ft. It could be slightly longer because there is a little excess that I did not cut so the hose doesn't exactly go straight up and down.

With a MAG18 you are looking at pushing at 6ft about 1050 gph.

I am thinking that there is a need for John to show everyone how to hook up a pump many ways, and then we need to show how to lower the noise in a sump one of these days in the DYI section.. John you getting this ???

[cichlid1409]

you said you hear funny noises??? like what? gurgling sounds? if your pump was more powerful than your overflow box could handle then your tank would be overflowing.

[tbui1178]

I was lucky my tank didn't overflow. The sound it made was not gurgling, but the sound you hear when a pump is sucking in air.

[cichlid1409]

ok, i see. i would just install a ball valve after your pump. easy and cheap.