CPR Prefilter driving me crazy

[wkopplin]

I have a CPR overflow on my 55 and it does not seem to be flowing enough water through it. My skimmer in my sump keeps losing its water supply because the level in the sump is falling too low. I have a ball valve on the return line, but I have it so far closed that only a small amount of water is flowing back. When I open the valve any further, the level in the sump goes way down. I have a powerhead attached to the siphon on the cpr, but I still cannot get the water to flow very well.

Any suggestions as to how I can improve the flow? I did all the normal stuff, checked for blockage in the intake and output lines, checked pumps, etc. I have one of the tube style overflows, should I just switch to that?

[wkopplin]

Oh yeah, I also do not like my Prizm Pro Deluxe and am looking for ideas for a good skimmer for a 55 gallon tank.

[R.Allard]

sounds like your pump is overdriving your overflow.
i have one rated @ 1600 gph if your interested.

[wkopplin]

Might be, I removed the magdrive 9.5 and replaced it with a magdrive 7. Waiting to see if it worked.

[R_S_C]

r.allard - i might be interested if they arn't. is it a tube style or cpr style?

[R.Allard]

its a CPR-150 and it comes with a powerhead to run it

[wkopplin]

Going to a little smaller pump for the return seems to have worked. 1600 gph might be a little too much turnover for a 55 gallon tank, but I might be able to use it in my 180. PM me the details (price, etc).

[SaltyJim]

You couldtry redirecting some of the flow back into the sump from the return to throttle down the pump. This might help you keep the sump at a constant water level without putting too much head pressure on the pump.

Unfortunately, if you are like me, the whole thing is already plumbed and would require too much of an overhaul.

HTH,
Jim

[wkopplin]

That is a good idea. I did not think of that. I have already plumbed everything, but it would not be too hard to do that. I will look into it.

My biggest problem seems to be the overflow slowing down. The water level in my tank will stay constant for a few days and then the CPR just decides to slow down. Does the height (or depth) of the powerhead attached to the pre-filter make any difference?

I might have an air leak somewhere in the pre-filter. It was slightly damaged during shipping and I fixed it, but I did not look at the top. I will check it out for air leaks.