Can a higher flow return pump cause higher water line?

Auqaman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
214
Reaction score
127
Location
Victoria BC
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Just installed a return pump that has a higher flow rate. My ato tank dumped a bunch of fresh water into the sump. The valve seems to be working properly.
Can a different pump cause the water line in the sump to rise?
I also installed more pvc piping

image.jpg
 
OP
OP
Auqaman

Auqaman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
214
Reaction score
127
Location
Victoria BC
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I think the tank/sump level is a combination of flow rate of the return versus the overflow volume.
Also there’s a ton of new piping. So the extra water in the pipes probably will drop the water line? I’m hesitant to add more salt but I think I’ll have to
 

this is me

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 18, 2009
Messages
744
Reaction score
2,550
Location
MA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yes. The pipes are now more filled with water and it has to get water from somewhere.
You don't add more salt into the aquarium or sump. You add more saltwater.
 
Last edited:

Scorpius

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 6, 2017
Messages
3,664
Reaction score
3,757
Location
Indiana
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yes, a higher gph pump will keep more water in the display. Overflows are rated at a maximum gph rating.
 
OP
OP
Auqaman

Auqaman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
214
Reaction score
127
Location
Victoria BC
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
This brings up another question. Does the surface water in the display tank need to be disturbed (waves)? My new return is going straight down and doesn’t disturb the water like my old one did. I have a protein skimmer that also oxygenates the water.

image.jpg
 

sp1187

bird flu antidote
View Badges
Joined
Aug 4, 2017
Messages
13,346
Reaction score
69,073
Location
the duck blind
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
This brings up another question. Does the surface water in the display tank need to be disturbed (waves)? My new return is going straight down and doesn’t disturb the water like my old one did. I have a protein skimmer that also oxygenates the water.

image.jpg
you'll get an oil like film if you don't break the surface water.
 
OP
OP
Auqaman

Auqaman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
214
Reaction score
127
Location
Victoria BC
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
That doesn't back siphon too much? Why not use the Reefer's return pipe?
Yeah it back syphoned hard when I turned off the pump. My main return pump kept bringing water into the DT but the water wasn’t rising because of the syphon. Took me 15 minuets to figure out what was going on. I ended up drilling a small hole below the water line to break the syphon
 

this is me

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 18, 2009
Messages
744
Reaction score
2,550
Location
MA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
To be blunt, I think you need to read on reef tank plumbing 101. There’s many resources out there. Bulkreefsupply videos are great to watch.
 

How much do you care about having a display FREE of wires, pumps and equipment?

  • Want it squeaky clean! Wires be danged!

    Votes: 51 42.9%
  • A few things are ok with me!

    Votes: 60 50.4%
  • No care at all! Bring it on!

    Votes: 8 6.7%
Back
Top