Urgent Pump Help Needed

bluespotjawfish · 05-12-2007, 10:34 PM

My Titanium 2 return pump keeps tripping my GFCI. Of course the fish stores are all closed. How is the best way to manage this for the tank until I can get a replacement pump tomorrow?

Is everything ok just to keep running as follows:

In addition to the return line, I normally run 2 internal pumps in the 125 gallon tank - a MJ 1200 and a Tunze 6025. These two pumps are still going and this seems to be keeping the water moving (enough that I didn't notice the return lines weren't pumping water).

The sump has the skimmer, and UV sterilizer in it, along with a Koralia #3 pump, some chaeto, and a large piece of live rock. The UV sterilizer also feeds water to the fuge and the fuge returns water to the sump, so these are connected to each other. However, the skimmer and sterilizer shut down when the GFCI tripped (don't know how long they haven't been running, but it was sometime this afternoon) since they are on the same circuit as the sump pump. I have now pinned down the problem and everything else is running fine except the return pump.

Guess I'd better start doing my homework on pumps. Wish I knew what kind of pumps the lfs carries. My overflow is rate up to 700 gph. I think my current pump is 500-550 gph. Vertical height is 5-6 feet, ran on a split line with a SCWD.

Any suggestions on what to look for?

Woodstock · 05-12-2007, 10:37 PM

Can you run an extension cord to the pump?

bluespotjawfish · 05-12-2007, 10:40 PM

I think it is the pump that is bad. Everything else is running just fine through the same GFCI. When I touched the pump after it was unplugged I felt a bit of the zap (this may be my imagination but it was scary).

bluespotjawfish · 05-12-2007, 11:31 PM

bluespotjawfish · 05-13-2007, 12:03 AM

Guess I'm on my own here...stay calm...don't panic...

Ok I have water moving in both locations ~ that is good
Ok I have heaters in both locations ~ that is good
Ok I have some type of biological filteration in both locations ~ that is good

I'm thinking it will be ok overnight (if I say my prayers really, really good).

I would still like some recommendations on a new pump. External, QUIET, maintenance free, low heat...??? Can't extend 700 gpm (after accounting for the headloss). I have a 1" inlet and 3/4" outlet on the current one.

KimPossible · 05-13-2007, 12:22 AM

Sorry Lorrain, I don't have a lot of experience in pumps...but I DID find this comparison chart

It seems to have them all listed

Don't panic...Don't panic...someone with experience will chime in soon.

Quote:

Ok I have water moving in both locations ~ that is good
Ok I have heaters in both locations ~ that is good
Ok I have some type of biological filteration in both locations ~ that is good

You'll be ok for a bit

BoomerD · 05-13-2007, 01:26 AM

Yep, I agree...as long as you have heaters and water movement in both the tank and sump, things should be ok for a couple of days.
I don't know if they got better after CSL went out of business, but the Titanium series pumps used to be terrible for heat transference. There are much better built pumps on the market that don't transfer as much heat to the tank as they used to. (again, they MAY have gotten better in the past couple of years) HOWEVER, they used to be the quietest pumps in their categories too, so it was a trade-off...less noise...more heat, or more noise...less heat.

Woodstock · 05-13-2007, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSpotJawfish

I think it is the pump that is bad. Everything else is running just fine through the same GFCI. When I touched the pump after it was unplugged I felt a bit of the zap (this may be my imagination but it was scary).

Yikes!! I would remove that pump and use the flow you have until you can replace it.

DaBird · 05-13-2007, 02:56 AM

yes, what they said...as long as you have good water movement for oxygen saturation you will be OK...(did I say that right? been a tough week)

bluespotjawfish · 05-13-2007, 06:55 AM

Thanks guys/gals. At least I went to sleep (until now). Just got up to check that the GFCI didn't trip again. Things look ok so far.

Someone gets a new pump for mother's day ~ sounds fun doesn't it?

Someone gets to empty out her sump on mother's day ~ sounds fun doesn't it?

Someone gets to go find some plumbing parts at HD ~ sounds fun doesn't it?

Woodstock · 05-13-2007, 08:33 AM

You're a reefing MOM!!

bluespotjawfish · 05-13-2007, 08:36 AM

Here are a few reviews... anyone got any other helpful links? Me thinks me doesn't like any of them!

Water Pumps

Little Giant - large, noisy
Quiet One - Quiet, adds heat, clogs, and short lived
Iwaki - Loud, loud, loud

My previous pump was a little giant, it only lasted about a year and was noisy! Of course that was 8 years ago. Quiet is important. As for heat transfer ~ well I already have a pump that transfers heat, and the tank is staying at 79, but I am using several fans that are also noisy. Dependability, I have first hand experience that it sucks to replace a pump after a year.

I just don't know what to do...

Frankie · 05-13-2007, 09:37 AM

I love my ampmaster 3000 on my closed loop. It's also called a Dolphin. They make smaller units also. Mine is quiet, (very) and give very little heat transfer.

bluespotjawfish · 05-13-2007, 10:27 AM

That would blow my fish right out of the water. My overflow is only rated to handle 700 gph.

mps9506 · 05-13-2007, 10:33 AM

You may want to take a look at the Panworld/Blueline pumps.

05-12-2007, 10:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,140 View Gallery Karma Komment	Urgent Pump Help Needed My Titanium 2 return pump keeps tripping my GFCI. Of course the fish stores are all closed. How is the best way to manage this for the tank until I can get a replacement pump tomorrow? Is everything ok just to keep running as follows: In addition to the return line, I normally run 2 internal pumps in the 125 gallon tank - a MJ 1200 and a Tunze 6025. These two pumps are still going and this seems to be keeping the water moving (enough that I didn't notice the return lines weren't pumping water). The sump has the skimmer, and UV sterilizer in it, along with a Koralia #3 pump, some chaeto, and a large piece of live rock. The UV sterilizer also feeds water to the fuge and the fuge returns water to the sump, so these are connected to each other. However, the skimmer and sterilizer shut down when the GFCI tripped (don't know how long they haven't been running, but it was sometime this afternoon) since they are on the same circuit as the sump pump. I have now pinned down the problem and everything else is running fine except the return pump. Guess I'd better start doing my homework on pumps. Wish I knew what kind of pumps the lfs carries. My overflow is rate up to 700 gph. I think my current pump is 500-550 gph. Vertical height is 5-6 feet, ran on a split line with a SCWD. Any suggestions on what to look for? __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow

05-12-2007, 10:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,862 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Urgent Pump Help Needed Can you run an extension cord to the pump? __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

05-12-2007, 10:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,140 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Urgent Pump Help Needed I think it is the pump that is bad. Everything else is running just fine through the same GFCI. When I touched the pump after it was unplugged I felt a bit of the zap (this may be my imagination but it was scary). __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow

05-12-2007, 11:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,140 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Urgent Pump Help Needed __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow

05-13-2007, 12:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,140 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Urgent Pump Help Needed Guess I'm on my own here...stay calm...don't panic... Ok I have water moving in both locations ~ that is good Ok I have heaters in both locations ~ that is good Ok I have some type of biological filteration in both locations ~ that is good I'm thinking it will be ok overnight (if I say my prayers really, really good). I would still like some recommendations on a new pump. External, QUIET, maintenance free, low heat...??? Can't extend 700 gpm (after accounting for the headloss). I have a 1" inlet and 3/4" outlet on the current one. __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow

05-13-2007, 01:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,633 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Urgent Pump Help Needed Yep, I agree...as long as you have heaters and water movement in both the tank and sump, things should be ok for a couple of days. I don't know if they got better after CSL went out of business, but the Titanium series pumps used to be terrible for heat transference. There are much better built pumps on the market that don't transfer as much heat to the tank as they used to. (again, they MAY have gotten better in the past couple of years) HOWEVER, they used to be the quietest pumps in their categories too, so it was a trade-off...less noise...more heat, or more noise...less heat. __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

05-13-2007, 02:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
DaBird Smart Alec with feathers Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Spring Branch, Texas Posts: 1,042 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Urgent Pump Help Needed yes, what they said...as long as you have good water movement for oxygen saturation you will be OK...(did I say that right? been a tough week) __________________ "When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging..." Will Rogers 75 gal Oceanic started in 2001 30 gal fuge/sump 125 lb. LR, 100 lb. LS 2x 250w Reflux MH 12,000k pendants Remora pro skimmer W/1200 mag. Hydor Korlia #4, 6 assorted PHs. 1 pair of Ocellaris, Powder Blue Tang, Yellow Tang, Regal Tang, Scooter, Lawnmower, Red Mandarin, Flame Angel, 2 chromis, Copperband, 1 Emerald, 2 Blue legs, 1 Zebra hermit... Acros,Rainbow Monti, Leathers, Zoos, Zoos and more Zoos, Shrooms...

05-13-2007, 06:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,140 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Urgent Pump Help Needed Thanks guys/gals. At least I went to sleep (until now). Just got up to check that the GFCI didn't trip again. Things look ok so far. Someone gets a new pump for mother's day ~ sounds fun doesn't it? Someone gets to empty out her sump on mother's day ~ sounds fun doesn't it? Someone gets to go find some plumbing parts at HD ~ sounds fun doesn't it? __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow

05-13-2007, 08:33 AM	#11 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,862 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Urgent Pump Help Needed You're a reefing MOM!! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

05-13-2007, 08:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,140 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Urgent Pump Help Needed Here are a few reviews... anyone got any other helpful links? Me thinks me doesn't like any of them! Water Pumps Little Giant - large, noisy Quiet One - Quiet, adds heat, clogs, and short lived Iwaki - Loud, loud, loud My previous pump was a little giant, it only lasted about a year and was noisy! Of course that was 8 years ago. Quiet is important. As for heat transfer ~ well I already have a pump that transfers heat, and the tank is staying at 79, but I am using several fans that are also noisy. Dependability, I have first hand experience that it sucks to replace a pump after a year. I just don't know what to do... __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow

05-13-2007, 09:37 AM	#13 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 7,139 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Urgent Pump Help Needed I love my ampmaster 3000 on my closed loop. It's also called a Dolphin. They make smaller units also. Mine is quiet, (very) and give very little heat transfer. __________________ Bruce: Today's meeting is Step 5: Bring a fish friend. Everyone brought a fish friend? DIY=DO IT YOURSELF! If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

05-13-2007, 10:27 AM	#14 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,140 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Urgent Pump Help Needed That would blow my fish right out of the water. My overflow is only rated to handle 700 gph. __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow

05-13-2007, 10:33 AM	#15 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,143 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Urgent Pump Help Needed You may want to take a look at the Panworld/Blueline pumps. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

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