IM 15 return pump help

[ToxicPaly]

Hello,

I saw some older threads where the Sicce Syncra 1.5 was used on the Innovative Marine fusion 15 gallon. I purchased this pump to replace the factory pump and it turned my tank into a micro bubble snow globe. Stock return nozzle.

I felt it was way too overpowered. What am I doing wrong is it the filter sock? I even turned it on the lowest setting and felt it was still keeping the water level too high and micro bubbles everywhere.

I was thinking I need to toss the filter sock and get an in tank caddy style. Please if anyone has any advice I would appreciate it.

 

[Tahoe61]

Raise the water level. That pump should be fine for that tank, it is only 357 gph.


:-)

 

[SilkySifaka]

Following. Did the same exact thing. Still running it on the lowest setting but the micro bubbles aren’t my favorite

 

[exnisstech]

Add more water. Even a system with a sump will do the same thing if the water level is too low.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Use a Sicce 0.5 pump.
If you have added more water to compensate for the more flow?
Now turn off the pump, maybe get a bucket and towels.

 

[exnisstech]

If you can't get it dialed in maybe look into a controllable DC pump. I'm running a jebao dcw 1500 on my IM 20 and it works great. I got mine from a Walmart seller for less than $50
Having a feed button is nice also

 

[SilkySifaka]

More water solved it for me. Love it when the answer is that simple

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

More water solved it for me. Love it when the answer is that simple

But is it? Have you turned off the pump yet? Sometimes you will get a big surprise.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

Use a Sicce 0.5 pump.
If you have added more water to compensate for the more flow?
Now turn off the pump, maybe get a bucket and towels.

IM tanks have an emergency spillover, you’d need a much beefier pump to cause and overflow.

 

[ToxicPaly]

More water solved it for me. Love it when the answer is that simple

Waiting on my random flow generator before I give it another try.

 

[HardyG]

I just went through something similar with mine. Wanted to add a random flow nozzle to my Nuvo 15 and ordered the sicce 1.5 since the stock pump barely spits water out as is. The sicce did great with the random flow and I was able to tune it down as well. However, it was much louder than my itty bitty IM stock pump which is literally dead silent. For only that reason I did switch it back to the stock pump and just upgraded my wave maker to something a bit stronger. My tank is in the living room, so the silence is worth more to me.

Keep in mind how much that RFG or IM Spinmax or whatever it is called reduces flow. HEAVILY!! Definitely go with the 1.5 or something similar in that GPH range if you are going to restrict the flow. If not, and are going to use the stock return nozzle, you can go with a smaller pump.

 

[X-37B]

Not the best pic but you see the level in my IM15. I run the Sicci 0.5.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

^^^^^ I run my water down about 3 inches or more lower than that with the Sicce 0.5 As HardyG just stated the flow is greatly reduced with the VCA. Maybe I will look into a small DC pump so I can get just right.

 

[HardyG]

I would make sure you have an ATO with that bigger pump though. I had a lot more water trickling noise in my 2nd to 3rd chamber not long after topping it off. Again, not a problem if your tank doesn’t need to be quiet, but mine being in my living room; it was a must.

Just food for thought!

 

[X-37B]

^^^^^ I run my water down about 3 inches or more lower than that with the Sicce 0.5 As HardyG just stated the flow is greatly reduced with the VCA. Maybe I will look into a small DC pump so I can get just right.

Yea mine is right next to my bed so noise can be an issue. All I hear on mine is the powerhead turning on and off every 30 seconds. No water noise.

 

[SliceGolfer]

I use the Sicce 1.5 at second lowest setting. Keeping the water level equal to the baffle exiting chamber two will keep things silent with no micro bubbles.

 

[X-37B]

^^^^^ I run my water down about 3 inches or more lower than that with the Sicce 0.5 As HardyG just stated the flow is greatly reduced with the VCA. Maybe I will look into a small DC pump so I can get just right.

Just use a powerhead. I use a Jebao ow-10. Works well in the 15.

 

[HardyG]

Just use a powerhead. I use a Jebao ow-10. Works well in the 15.

Interested in your placement of the powerhead. I never thought about submerging the rubber housing with the magnet behind the baffle. Are there any risks with this? The side of these tanks is already so small, I would love to get my powerhead off the side!!

 

[X-37B]

Interested in your placement of the powerhead. I never thought about submerging the rubber housing with the magnet behind the baffle. Are there any risks with this? The side of these tanks is already so small, I would love to get my powerhead off the side!!

Yea I use an old Tunze magnet to hold it in place. Works well and they are obviously water proof.
My temp probe is attatched to the overflow and works well too.

 

[HardyG]

Yea I use an old Tunze magnet to hold it in place. Works well and they are obviously water proof.
My temp probe is attatched to the overflow and works well too.

What a great idea!! I may steal that from you if I can find a magnet that I can trust. did you repurpose that Tunze magnet or buy it?