Running a Ecotech Vetra on variable flow modes when used as a return

[ReefinIt]

Would running an Ecotech Vetra on variable modes (reef crest, lagoon, etc.) as return cause more wear and tear or damage the pump? I know they can be used on a closed loop, but I'm not sure if there is as much head pressure on a closed loop. Could be wrong.

I know that running variable modes would cause the level in the return chamber of sump and overflow box to fluctuate, but I'm not concerned with noise from the overflow and I don't think the ATO would be an issue. I would just set the ATO sensor at the water level in the sump when the pump is running at max flow. When the tank needs more water, the ATO would be triggered when the pump hit max flow.

Am I missing something that would make this a bad idea?

 

[exnisstech]

What are you trying to accomplish?

EDIT : If you are trying to use the return to create random flow in the tank I would use powerheads / wave makers. I wouldn't want my sump level fluctuating.

 

[winxp_man]

Get a power heads as stated above. I don’t believe the sump pumps are designed to do fluctuating water push into a tank.

 

[ReefinIt]

Yeah I want varied flow coming out of my return. I have wave makers, 3 MP40s.

Wave makers are on the sides of the tank, while the returns are pointed to the front of the tank.

The issue is the return causes too much front to back flow on the bottom of the tank. I would like to have the return ramp up and down so there is more sway.

I could turn down the flow from the return, but I noticed the tank does better when I have the return higher.

 

[C_AWOL]

It will likely wear the pump out more but the main part is your drains will be absurdly noisy and your skimmer will basically never work well unless its an external one.