Proper use of a needle wheel in sump

peleg38

Junior Poster
Jan 6, 2012
21
0
1
Vacaville
I just purchased an Octopus 225F for the sump on my 125g. I already have a magdrive running the system for the tank. What would be the best way to utilize the needle wheel pump? Do I need to plumb it in with the other pump or can it stand alone somehow?
Thanks,
Derek
 

30king

Junior Poster
Jun 15, 2008
20
0
1
Rocklin, CA
If your overflow can handle the additional water return, plumb it separate and see how it goes. You can always put a ball valve on the main pump and reduce it a bit. There are lots of ways to plumb it. This would be the easiest to get started, IMO.
 

peleg38

Junior Poster
Jan 6, 2012
21
0
1
Vacaville
Does anyone out there try to do all of the dissolving in the sump? It would be nice to keep the tank clear of gear and mist.
 

mike

Guru Class Expert
Jan 13, 2012
169
0
16
Quebec, Canada
I'm bumping your thread in hopes of getting some input, as I am also interested in finding out about dissolving CO2 in the sump as opposed to the actual display tank.

Mike
 

Gerryd

Plant Guru Team
Lifetime Member
Sep 23, 2007
5,623
22
38
South Florida
Hi,

The 225F appears to be submersible, correct?

I would simply place the pump inside the sump and then feed the c02 output into the existing mag drive for distribution to the tank.. Just use some flex tube from the NW pump and stick the other end into the sponge that (should) cover the mag intake....no need to hard plumb it for a test...

That seems quickest and easiest...You can leave the c02 outlet just feeding the overall sump water, and let the mag do it's thing, but that will waste some c02 for sure. I have done this for my 180 when I had a sump and it works well. Tom does similar iirc.

The extra time in the lines will help dissolve more of the c02 and the water will be 'clearer''.

Does this make sense?
 

peleg38

Junior Poster
Jan 6, 2012
21
0
1
Vacaville
Oh, cool I thought this thread was dead. Sorry for my absence. I have an update on what I did and where I'm at currently. I did wind up just placing the octopus in the same chamber as the mag drive. No plumbing mods yet. Even without the direct hook up to the return pump I get a pretty good mist going in the tank. The plants are definitely happier. I have a drop checker but don't have the solution yet so I don't have a great idea of my saturation. I currently am dealing with two issues:
1. For some reason I don't get flow when my solenoid is energized. I can get it going by turning the needle valve up a little higher. Once I get bubbles going I dial it back to where I want it and everything is fine. Then when system comes on the next day I have no flow again.
2. My java fern and crypts are doing great. My Anubias is doing fine. My swords (which are my favorites) are sustaining and growing a little but don't have much height. They were quite tall when I got them but now the leaves are much shorter. I'm not sure if there is something I can do get them to go higher or if I should just move them and get some tall low light plants.

Thanks,
Derek