Need some help with new tank
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Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78732
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Topic: Need some help with new tank
Posted By: scfurse77
Subject: Need some help with new tank
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 1:37am
| So I just bought my first tank. It's a cadlights versa 42g. Anyways I love the tank and the look. But I can't figure a couple things out. First off with my return pump, it seems to work fine and move water like it's supposed to but the second I completely submerge the flow head the flow slows way down. I'm not sure what's causing this???? The second thing is I hard plumbed the tank and had a question on the height of the return drain. They recommend setting it up "durso" which I did I'm just not sure how high or low I need to put the actual drain opening in comparison to the overflow level. I'm probably not asking these questions correctly but if anyone understands my newbie jibberish please help. |
Replies:
Posted By: sabeypets
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 2:25am
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I have my Durso set so it drains an inch or two below the overflow level so it doesn't create a cascading water sound. Not sure what's going on with the return pump. ------------- Shaun American Fork "Would you leave a dead cat in your kitchen till tommorow?" Builderofdreams |
Posted By: Marcoss
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 8:09am
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When I bought my Cadlights, all the plumbing was included. Did you use your own plumbing? If not, all the pieces should be cut to the exact sizes. I bet if you posted some images someone would be able to help. Your return losing pressure is odd. The flow will naturally feel a lot slower underwater. How far underwater are you placing the return nozzle? It doesn't need to go super low because of back siphoning issues- unless you have a check valve. Marcos ------------- RedSea Max S400 - 90G Rimless Frag Tanks x2 - 185 Lookdown Bin |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 3:29pm
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We went with the hofer gurgle buster standpipe on my Versa 42. Even though it came with all the plumbing I don't think we used much of it and in fact we had an issue with one of the bulkheads and just had to buy different ones. Here's a bad iPhone pic of mine sorry it's blue my phone doesn't like my tank http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Jlstuver/media/AFB17131-FAC0-436E-86D5-F2DE5BAF446F_zps4q6srnt5.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: scfurse77
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 7:39pm
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Thanks everyone, So i think i figured the plumbing out as far as the Durso setup and it's sounding and draining much better. I think i've come to the conclusion that either something on my return pump plumbing is wrong or the pump that came with the tank is just not strong enough and once it hits the water it just slows the flow way down. If i can figure out how to post some pics i'll show you what i've done.
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Posted By: scfurse77
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 7:46pm
 
So the reason i put the Green tubing in is so i could use the adapter that came with the pump. i couldn't find a way to attach that to hard plumbing. Either way i got the same result. Turn the pump on it works fine but once it's completely submersed under water the flow cuts in half at least and then once i pull it out of the water it takes 5 or so seconds to get back up to normal flow. Does this look wrong to i plumb the pump wrong?
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Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 8:22pm
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So the more turns the water has to do to get back to the tank it will slow the flow. Mine is plumbed with the return right below so oppsite yours. We also stepped up the size of the pipe. I'll get you a pic of mine hang on. I never tried using the pump it came with I used my DCT 8000 because it lets me choose the speed and we made it so I can have it almost all the way turned up which in turn makes it so I don't have to use a power head in my display. ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 8:26pm
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Okay here's my sump as I said before I didn't use the one the tank came with because it wouldn't fit in my stand so I have a 20 long under there. It's kind of a jumbled mess but you get the idea. I would bet that with all the turns for the return you have there that the pump just isn't big enough. This is an older pic and I have changed to where I don't use a filter sick anymore either I will get a better pic of it now here in awhile. http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Jlstuver/media/7C066999-BA30-4736-B625-9E2156CB9234_zpshgqbw9e8.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: scfurse77
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 8:33pm
Ya, and that makes total sense, The only reason i did it this way is because that's what it showed in the picture. Those directions were terrible with the cabinet. So i have no idea why i even looked at how they had it set up  . I'm guessing i will want to replace the pump anyways because i want dual heads on mine just like you have yours. Where can i buy that dual head? and is it 1/2 inch?
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Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 9:42pm
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Are you talking where it comes out into the tank? That doesn't come with the pump I bought those pieces as I didn't like how short it was and only one out. I think I ordered off amazon I can look and see and send you the link. ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 9:52pm
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It was eBay I got mine off here's the link, you can get them with the flat nozzles on the end too just search eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-DUAL-NOZZLE-AQUARIUM-LOC-LINE-READY-FOR-AQUARIUM-USE-OR-SUMP-FREE-SHIP-/111720240637?hash=item1a030b95fd:g:CO0AAOSwPgxVOTDg ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: Fatman
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 10:14pm
| Fewer bends and larger pipe = less friction loss. I'd start looking for a good used Mag 7 for that tank. Even better a DC pump with a variable speed controller on it. |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 10:47pm
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Here is the pump I am using but you will have to modify plumbing to receive more pressure http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-Jecod-Marine-Controllable-Water/dp/B00SQX5CCO ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: DMower
Date Posted: January 10 2016 at 11:04pm
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Get that metal clamp out of your tank. Use plastic. ------------- 150 gal reef with 50 gal sump. Reef Octopus DCS-200 Skimmer. AI Sol Blues. |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: January 11 2016 at 12:12am
Good catch I didn't see he had that on there! I can't ever find plastic ones so we used zip ties:) ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
DMower wrote:Posted By: scfurse77
Date Posted: January 11 2016 at 9:39pm
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Posted By: scfurse77
Date Posted: January 11 2016 at 9:42pm
So here is what i did, And it honestly didn't change the flow much. And i'm pulling the Stainless Steel clamp right now.  |
Posted By: Fatman
Date Posted: January 11 2016 at 9:50pm
| Lots of the stainless steel clamps actually have a carbon steel screw. |
Posted By: scfurse77
Date Posted: January 11 2016 at 10:01pm
Ordered should be here next week. thanks!
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Posted By: scfurse77
Date Posted: January 11 2016 at 10:03pm
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Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: January 11 2016 at 10:53pm
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Try upping the size of the tube you have coming from your pump when you get to the bulkhead use fitting to pipe it down to the size that fits the bulkhead and then run that the rest of the way up into the tank display. And honestly I would buy a better pump but that's just me:) ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: scfurse77
Date Posted: January 11 2016 at 11:10pm
And your using the 8000 right? At full power? honestly i hate the idea of having to redo the plumbing again
 . I'm guessing you went from 1/2 up to 3/4? |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: January 11 2016 at 11:16pm
We actually went up to 1" I'm running the pump at one below full but that's because I have a ton of coral in my tank and big colonies so you wouldn't need to run it that high unless you're really stocked like mine. ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: scfurse77
Date Posted: January 11 2016 at 11:19pm
You have the 8000 or the 12000?
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Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: January 11 2016 at 11:24pm
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DCT-8000 ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: January 12 2016 at 6:54am
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Jackie is correct. The physical engineering of moving water through pipes shows us that 1 inch piping is the most efficient for the volume of water flow of these aquariums. 1/2" pipe is extremely restrictive to water flow. Larger piping is especially important for the drain plumbing. Also, the flat(fan) nozzles are counter-productive to flow. They actually disperse the flow, making it less effective. Their real advantage is in dispersing overly strong flow which, depending on nozzle positioning, might otherwise blow the sand around. Instead of the fan nozzle, I often simply remove the end jet nozzle piece.
I position return nozzles so they goose-neck down and back up, shooting water up along the surface to create a rippling effect. This more effectively oxygenates the water, also allowing CO2 to leave the water. More O2 in the water makes breathing easier for all the animals. Less CO2 in the water ensures good, elevated pH making the whole tank healthier. Here's my last tip and then I'll shut up. Positioning the end of the return nozzle at the same elevation as the overflow teeth ensures that a siphon won't start which could flood the sump in the event of a power outage. Check the backflow of water by setting everything up and running, then turning off the return pump. Watch to see if the sump can hold all the water that drains down. If it looks like it's about to overflow, quickly turn on the return pump and then re-position the return nozzles. (Sometimes this means we have to run the sump with less water, at a lower level.) Aloha, Mark  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: scfurse77
Date Posted: January 12 2016 at 11:49am
This all great advice and i very much appreciate it. Thank you. |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: January 12 2016 at 1:32pm
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Yep I run one of my nozzles with just the jet piece, my other one is in a position that if I didn't use the fan I had a hole in my sand but I need the nozzle to be that direction because of how my rock and corals are:) ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |