Extending the return pumps nozzle down...

Mavjoy · 11-09-2008, 11:32 AM

Hi all, I've been thinking of extending the 2 return pumps nozzle down, 'cause my water level in the back chambers keeps going low every morning and it ends up spitting up air on the DT. I want to extend it a little bit. Is this safe for the pumps? No overheating? I want to use some clear plastic hose or a plastic extender is good too. Have anyone tried this yet? Thanks.

cbrownfish · 11-09-2008, 01:49 PM

Not sure what you mean......extend the intake or discharge? If you mean the intake, just be sure to use a larger diameter hose/pipe that fits over the existing intake. That way you are not restricting the intake at all.

redseareef · 11-09-2008, 04:26 PM

Hi Mavjoy,
It sounds to me like you are running your water level too low. Can you make a mark on the inside of one of the chambers to give you a level to go by?
Do you have the surface skimmer on your tank?

Reefmack · 11-09-2008, 07:06 PM

What redseareef said is true - you need to keep the sponge/filter cleaned every couple days to keep water level up in back. Plus if you have the gate too high that also drops the level in back.

Since you're talking about water level in the pump chamber, I assume you must mean the bottom inlet of the 2 RSM pumps? If that's true you can try adding a 3-4 inch piece of tubing to the inlets. But, the weight of the tubing will pull off that bottom section of the pump unless you secure them with a 12 inch plastic cable tie. Here's a post that discusses it:

Pump Mod 1

Here's a different type of pump mod by mbdave that sinks an MJ1200 pump down into the chamber.

Pump Mod 2

The first is probably easier. I've done that one, but it hasn't totally solved the water level problem for me. I think some of the air is pulled in through the cracks in the fittings. But, it has helped. The second mod is more involved but should get rid of all pump related microbubbles.

Someone once used aquarium safe silicone to seal all of the cracks in the pump fittings and that seemed to work, but the pumps would have to be dry, and the silicone given a couple days to cure. It also makes it difficult to take the pumps apart if they need cleaning.

cbrownfish · 11-09-2008, 08:35 PM

Sorry, I missed that this was in the Red Sea Max forum.

Mavjoy · 11-09-2008, 09:50 PM

Thanks guys for making it clear to me. So, the first mod is not really gonna solve the air bubbles if the water level is not in sync with the DT water level. Good point on the filter pad RM, I'll try to change the pad every 3-4 days from now on. Do you guys turn off the pump when changing the pads? It's soo hard not to disturb the deitrus when changing the pad. I have to lift the media rack so I can reach the pad easily. I also have to be on top of topping off the water evap. Thanks for all the input and suggestions. I really appreciate it.

Reefmack · 11-09-2008, 09:58 PM

I used to turn off the pumps when removing the pad, but I don't any more. I guess I got lazy LOL! I figure what comes loose & goes in the tank will get filtered again, or end up as coral food.

Mavjoy · 11-09-2008, 10:15 PM

Nice point RM about loose stuff being coral food...thanks.

11-09-2008, 11:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mavjoy Achilles Tang Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: san jose ca. Posts: 809 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Extending the return pumps nozzle down... Hi all, I've been thinking of extending the 2 return pumps nozzle down, 'cause my water level in the back chambers keeps going low every morning and it ends up spitting up air on the DT. I want to extend it a little bit. Is this safe for the pumps? No overheating? I want to use some clear plastic hose or a plastic extender is good too. Have anyone tried this yet? Thanks. __________________ My RSM Tank..Oh Yeah! Tunze Nano skimmer, Outer Orbit 250hqi with 2x24 Ati Blue+ and 2x24 KZ Fiji Purple, Auto Top Off unit, Vortech MP40W, RKL Controller, 2X Drew's Dosing Pump http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...up-my-rsm.html What We Must Do Is Encourage A Sea Change In Attitude, One That Acknowledges We Are A Part Of The Living World, Not Apart From It......Dr. Sylvia Earle

11-09-2008, 01:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
cbrownfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,633 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Extending the return pumps nozzle down... Not sure what you mean......extend the intake or discharge? If you mean the intake, just be sure to use a larger diameter hose/pipe that fits over the existing intake. That way you are not restricting the intake at all. __________________ *Confucius Say: "best way to save face, is to keep lower part of face shut".* CURRENT SET UP -- 90 gallon display, 30 gallon refugium, 6 gallon pod breeder, 100 gallon sump (complete with frag rack), 2X250 MH 14K DE HQI, Vortech MP40w and Koralia #4 for flow, 2X Tunze 9010 Skimmers, Sequence Dart return, 2X Ranco Controllers w/Titanium Heaters, 150 lb LR (90 in display, 60 in sump), 5" DSB, Mixed reef - Softies, LPS, SPS, Clams.

11-09-2008, 04:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
redseareef RS Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: L.A. California Posts: 1,364 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Extending the return pumps nozzle down... Hi Mavjoy, It sounds to me like you are running your water level too low. Can you make a mark on the inside of one of the chambers to give you a level to go by? Do you have the surface skimmer on your tank?

11-09-2008, 07:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Reefmack NaClH2O Addicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 6,158 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Extending the return pumps nozzle down... What redseareef said is true - you need to keep the sponge/filter cleaned every couple days to keep water level up in back. Plus if you have the gate too high that also drops the level in back. Since you're talking about water level in the pump chamber, I assume you must mean the bottom inlet of the 2 RSM pumps? If that's true you can try adding a 3-4 inch piece of tubing to the inlets. But, the weight of the tubing will pull off that bottom section of the pump unless you secure them with a 12 inch plastic cable tie. Here's a post that discusses it: Pump Mod 1 Here's a different type of pump mod by mbdave that sinks an MJ1200 pump down into the chamber. Pump Mod 2 The first is probably easier. I've done that one, but it hasn't totally solved the water level problem for me. I think some of the air is pulled in through the cracks in the fittings. But, it has helped. The second mod is more involved but should get rid of all pump related microbubbles. Someone once used aquarium safe silicone to seal all of the cracks in the pump fittings and that seemed to work, but the pumps would have to be dry, and the silicone given a couple days to cure. It also makes it difficult to take the pumps apart if they need cleaning. __________________ aka Terry Excellence in reefkeeping is achieved by mastering the fundamentals, and learning from mistakes. No such thing as an evil crab. Only humans have the ability to be evil. "If you don't like what your fellow forum neighbors are doing, then don't pay so much attention to them" 34g Red Sea Max 130 (April 07), ~50-60 lbs. live rock, Aragonite substrate. Lighting: Current USA Outer Orbit Pro - 150W HQI, 2 x 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI, 2 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UVL, Vortech MP20, LifeReef RSM Siphon, EShopps RS-75 Sump, Euro-Reef custom sump skimmer, Simplicity media reactor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, ReefKeeper Lite L3 controller Reefmack's RSM 130 and...Red Sea Max Owners Club and My JBJ 6G in this thread[/color][/i]

11-09-2008, 08:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
cbrownfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,633 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Extending the return pumps nozzle down... Sorry, I missed that this was in the Red Sea Max forum. __________________ *Confucius Say: "best way to save face, is to keep lower part of face shut".* CURRENT SET UP -- 90 gallon display, 30 gallon refugium, 6 gallon pod breeder, 100 gallon sump (complete with frag rack), 2X250 MH 14K DE HQI, Vortech MP40w and Koralia #4 for flow, 2X Tunze 9010 Skimmers, Sequence Dart return, 2X Ranco Controllers w/Titanium Heaters, 150 lb LR (90 in display, 60 in sump), 5" DSB, Mixed reef - Softies, LPS, SPS, Clams.

11-09-2008, 09:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mavjoy Achilles Tang Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: san jose ca. Posts: 809 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Extending the return pumps nozzle down... Thanks guys for making it clear to me. So, the first mod is not really gonna solve the air bubbles if the water level is not in sync with the DT water level. Good point on the filter pad RM, I'll try to change the pad every 3-4 days from now on. Do you guys turn off the pump when changing the pads? It's soo hard not to disturb the deitrus when changing the pad. I have to lift the media rack so I can reach the pad easily. I also have to be on top of topping off the water evap. Thanks for all the input and suggestions. I really appreciate it. __________________ My RSM Tank..Oh Yeah! Tunze Nano skimmer, Outer Orbit 250hqi with 2x24 Ati Blue+ and 2x24 KZ Fiji Purple, Auto Top Off unit, Vortech MP40W, RKL Controller, 2X Drew's Dosing Pump http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...up-my-rsm.html What We Must Do Is Encourage A Sea Change In Attitude, One That Acknowledges We Are A Part Of The Living World, Not Apart From It......Dr. Sylvia Earle

11-09-2008, 09:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Reefmack NaClH2O Addicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 6,158 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Extending the return pumps nozzle down... I used to turn off the pumps when removing the pad, but I don't any more. I guess I got lazy LOL! I figure what comes loose & goes in the tank will get filtered again, or end up as coral food. __________________ aka Terry Excellence in reefkeeping is achieved by mastering the fundamentals, and learning from mistakes. No such thing as an evil crab. Only humans have the ability to be evil. "If you don't like what your fellow forum neighbors are doing, then don't pay so much attention to them" 34g Red Sea Max 130 (April 07), ~50-60 lbs. live rock, Aragonite substrate. Lighting: Current USA Outer Orbit Pro - 150W HQI, 2 x 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI, 2 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UVL, Vortech MP20, LifeReef RSM Siphon, EShopps RS-75 Sump, Euro-Reef custom sump skimmer, Simplicity media reactor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, ReefKeeper Lite L3 controller Reefmack's RSM 130 and...Red Sea Max Owners Club and My JBJ 6G in this thread[/color][/i]

11-09-2008, 10:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mavjoy Achilles Tang Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: san jose ca. Posts: 809 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Extending the return pumps nozzle down... Nice point RM about loose stuff being coral food...thanks. __________________ My RSM Tank..Oh Yeah! Tunze Nano skimmer, Outer Orbit 250hqi with 2x24 Ati Blue+ and 2x24 KZ Fiji Purple, Auto Top Off unit, Vortech MP40W, RKL Controller, 2X Drew's Dosing Pump http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...up-my-rsm.html What We Must Do Is Encourage A Sea Change In Attitude, One That Acknowledges We Are A Part Of The Living World, Not Apart From It......Dr. Sylvia Earle

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