Mag 5 return pump for Amiracle wet-dry filter questin

[mhaynes01]

I have a 29 gallon SW with fish and live rock, i have an Amiracle wet-dry filter which i will modify, but here is my idea for the return i will use a Mag 5 at around a 45" lift. this will be about 325 gph at that lift which is great since it will be 10x my tank volume an hour, gotta love that flow.

here is the question, should I get a rubber tube running from the pump to a pvc pipe which i will make to go into to tank. do there will be 3 elbows in it. is that understandible? is that a good idea?

[matt]

I'd use a mag 7, not a mag 5. Mag pumps are notorious for over rating their flow, and believe me, it will slow down quickly as the return line gets some biofilm. The elbows definitely slow down the flow too. I've heard mag pumps measure their flow with 1" tubing, even though the fittings are 1/2" I believe. Anyhow, what you want is 3/4" or 1" PVC reinforced vinyl flex hose; it's clear with a cross hatch of threads running through the vinyl. You can get it at Lowes or HD.

[caferacermike]

If you haven't bought it yet I'd also think about an Eheim. They use half the wattage for the same flow (cheaper electric bill) which also translates to a lot less heat transfer into your water. I'm assuming that this is an in sump return pump and that heat can add up in a small tank.

[mhaynes01]

Well I bought the Pump I got it cheap. another question should i get i check valve, ball valve? not really sure on what i need? help.

[Jimnorris]

I use a Mag 5 on my 30 gallon. From the sump I used tubing to a J fitting that I had. I think the J fitting was from an old canister filter I had. About 1/2 below the water line of the J tube I drilled a very small hole into it. If the power goes out this prevents the backflow of water back into the sump.

[mhaynes01]

did'nt think about that. i will look around, but here is a crazy question , is there a valve like a check valve that just goes one way?

[caferacermike]

Yes there are many PVC checks. Even a nifty little one for $4 in the lawn sprinkler dept at home supliers that fits 3/4". My concern with a small pump like that is those are basically all spring checks and can mount in any direction, this could us a considerable amount of your pumps power to overcome it. Also I've noted before that if a snail were to venture into the return for some reason it could get stuck in the assmebly and prevent the check from closing. I am a pipefitter by trade and honestly the best method i've found for small tanks is drilling a small hole as was suggested and making sure that my sump was large enough to handle the back siphon. So far with a sump on a 125, a 75 and a 20 I have each tank set up so that the sump will fill to within 2" of the top before overflowing onto the floor. Check it several times at setup to make sure it all works properly and check at least once a month to make sure the hole is clean. Lately I've taken to unplugging my return pump during feeding, this allows me to check the status everyday.

I set up a 200g at a friends house and we drilled the holes in his pipes and everything checked out ok. Well he got this idea that putting a sponge in the overflow would add more bacteria space. True enough. He put this round sponge over the return pipe and and so it sat. One day at work his pump lost power and that sponge rose to the top of the overflow blocking the hole we drilled. Sure enough he dumped about 20g on the floor. He bought a checkvalve (we work together as pipefitters) and his complaint was that his tank got a shudder to it as the water went by the check. The vibration annoyed him enough that he removed it and went back to just using the hole from the original installation but zip tied the sponge in place.

[mhaynes01]

Allright that sounds like a good idea, And i have given l a whole year of thought to get this wet dry up an running, i have thought very much on the whole idea of losign power or suction. so tonight i I am going to buy the supplies and build it then test and retest, and test once more to make sure this thing goes according to pla, thanks everyne i will pest picturers of tank/setup/sump/piping later. Ohh and the little hole drilled will be above the outtake but below the top of the tank, i am correct?

[caferacermike]

I drill mine just above the water line. But face it to the side so that it isn't noticeable. Breaks suction almost immediately. I'd fill the tank and put enough water int he sump to get it running. Once it is all going mark a spot to drill the return pipe or elbow. Also if you use PVC for your return don't glue the last ell in place, the one you put under the water to direct the flow. That way you can adjust it side to side and easily reomve it to drill a hole or even make it a bit bigger.

[caferacermike]

Aw hell Buda? Ok I live in central ATX and could possibly come by and help a little later tonight. Say around 9:00? That would give me some time to visit with my girl, eat and maybe shower from work.

[mhaynes01]

Well I have the pipes glued and everything, now I am running it through water to clean it off.

[caferacermike]

Keep us posted.

[mhaynes01]

Later today I will hook everything up and start the siphon. (not in that order) CAnt wait