[MatthewR]

hey I am pretty new at this all, I have had my 75 gal tank running for close to a month now, and I have a tidepool2 under the tank, with my skimmer in there as well, but the pump returning up to the tank, puts out alot of bubbles and makes about 1/4 of that side of the tank pretty useless. The pump I have is some 950 mag. drive pump, maybe the pump i got is too much for the tank? I can't find any way to adjust the pump, but were ever the pump is, is where the level of water is. It makes a sucking noise. I have tried verious things to stuff this, not running the skimmer, placing the filter on the pump, and taking it off. I have included a pic to help carilfy the problem. Any help is needed and greatly appreciated.

[pogodzib]

Is the pump intake fully submerged? Does it have an air line attached to it? It looks to me like the pump is sucking in air. Make sure that the pumps intake is fully under the water and, since it is a Mag 9.5, it shouldn't have an air line attached to it but you should verify that it doesn't.

[lazy reef guy]

that pump is definitly sucking in air and you probably need to raise the level of water in your sump , you can try putting a sponge prefilter over the intake so that it doesnt make a whirlpool to the top of the water because that is where it is probably getting the air from you will probably need 5-6 inches of water over the pump if it is just sucking straight from the pump the other thing you can do would be to install an 90 degree elbow that would be facing down so that the water drawn in would have to come from the bottom . hope this helps

[MatthewR]

well i have a sponge filter over the pump, and I went and traded in the 9.5 for a mag 7 but the pump still sucks the water level down all the way till it starts sucking in water. Right now the bubbles are on/off, it is like the pump is still a hair too strong for my tank, I don't know if I have to adjust the overflow box from here, I have the box as far up as it goes, my tank is pretty full of water, maybe I need to fill my tank to the brim or what? This problem is really starting to being painful for me. I would pull my hair out if I had any, LOL. But serious, can I adjust the overflow box to suck more water down? I have even put a small air hose in the overflow box, the downward part, that stopped the sucking nose, which was nice. Any replys, greatly needed, and appreciated.

[boba40]

matthew,
i have a mag 9.5 in my 90 gallon tank and i had to install a ball valve to cut back on the pump output.my pump had a 3/4 inch threaded out put stem,i put a 3/4 to one inch adapter in next,than i used a 1 inch union and than the 1 inch ball valve.once you gate back the pump output you should be ok.by putting in the ball valve you can regulate the pump output to match the incoming water draining into your tidepool.good luck

[blu23girl]

Only caution is it can be harder on the motor if you try to restrict the flow... just may shorten the life, thats all...

[MatthewR]

is there adjustments that I can do to the overflow box, or something to adjust the intake of the pump? I am probably going to take the pump and pipe to lowes tomorrow and see about a ball valve or something that I can adjust the flow, so any advice is appreciated.

[Dr. Clyde]

I think the ball or gate valve on your return line is about all you can do unless you increase the size & capacity of your overflow. Basic hydraulics, what comes out must go back in.

[lazy reef guy]

Very well put , the hydraulics thing . if the pump keeps sucking the water down to where its sucking air than the water is not making it back to the sump fast enough . Either use a smaller pump or tee the pump that you have so that some of the water is redirected back to the sump so there is no strain on the pump by way of a ball or gate valve. If you add to much water your pump is going to over flow you tank if it cant come back down fast enough.