Sump water level

[MadReefer]

Setup the 75 with a 30 gallon sump. I marked the water level for the inlet and return chambers. After a few hours now the return chamber has less water and its getting lower as time goes on. Anyone have any idea why? Am afraid it will cause a disater while I'm a sleep.

Thanks,
mark

 

[panmanmatt]

Is it possible that your return pump is pumping more water than your overflow can provide?

How is the water level in the tank itself? Is it rising as the sump level goes down?

 

[RichT]

evaporation or leak maybe

 

[MadReefer]

Rich,
No leak or evaporation. It's only been up for about 3 or 4 hours.

Matt,
I just thought of that and marked it so will have to see. I am using a filter sock which became filty. I assumed that it proevented the water flow some so took it out and rinsed it best I could.

 

[Phyl]

Definitely be concerned. If you happen to have a float switch around, set it in the sump at a point where you know your tank will not overflow if that water was in the tank instead of in the sump.

What size pump do you have in the sump returning water to the main? What size are the overflow pipes? Is it an internal or external overflow?

 

[MadReefer]

Think I figured it out to thanks Matt. Putting and moving stuff around by the sump I accidentally hit the ball valve. Opened more than I had before. So it was pumping more water than was coming down. Guess I'll stay up another hour or so to make sure it's okay now.

 

[panmanmatt]

Glad you got it all figured out.

 

[MadReefer]

Well I haven't figured it out exactly. Been up most of the night adjusting the ball valve but no matter what the return still gets lower. Is it possible the pump is just to powerfull and no amount of changing will help?

 

[pgordemer]

Well I haven't figured it out exactly. Been up most of the night adjusting the ball valve but no matter what the return still gets lower. Is it possible the pump is just to powerfull and no amount of changing will help?

What pump and gallong per hour. How far back vertically it is to the tank. Is the overflow Internal (rr) or external. Most overflows have a max of 600 gpm, so unless you are going back more than about 4 or 5 feet to the tank, than a Mag 7 or a 9.5 throttled back is all you need.

 

[MadReefer]

The overflow is internal. The pump only says Surge 3500. The vertical hieght is about 4 / 4.5 feet and horizontally about 2 feet.

 

[panmanmatt]

According to a search, that pump is rated for 660 gph, your overflow should have no problem keeping up with that.

Is it possible that you have something partially blocking your drain line that is not allowing full water flow through it?

 

[pgordemer]

Surge pump is rated for 660 gph so with a return of about 4 foot, you are probably looked at 450, so it should not be a problem.

I would check to make sure you are getting full flow down to the sump, a sock isn't going to slow the flow that much and if it does, the water would just overflow the sock. You need to recheck the flow down to the tank.

 

[MadReefer]

Had friend come over that does plumbing and concluded the water level was to low in the tank. Probably from evaporation, Rich you did state that. I topped it off and so far it seems to be staying level. Thanks everyone for all the help.

 

[MadReefer]

Re: Sump water level - Update

Update...
Okay still haven't figured this out. Any ideas? I don't see any leaks. Anyone in the Hazlet area that's familiar with sumps can stop by and look. Maybe you can figure it out since I can't.

Mark

 

[Phyl]

Can you take pictures of the return pipes? What size are the pipes? Are there any elbows/horizontal runs? Is there sponge or anything in the overflow box? Do you see the water level rising/dropping anywhere?

Evap should only ever happen in the sump. You won't see that in your tank, so the levels in the tank should be rock solid, never going up above the overflow nor down below it (especially).

What's your SG? Has that stayed the same?

 

[MadReefer]

Phyl,
It's a 1" drain into the sump. Then the return pump is half inch going into a 1" PVC. There are 3 bends in the inlet and one for the return. I will try and get pics up tomorrow.
I only see the water level going down in the return chamber of the sump no place else. If I adjust the ball valve for more or less flow of the return then of cousre the tank water level changes.

Mark

 

[mikem]

Do you have enough water in the sump? The level should be just below the highest baffel.

 

[MadReefer]

Mike,
Then answer would be no. Was not sure where it should be. I assumed it should be a little lower than the last baffle before the return chamber.

Mark

 

[mikem]

That might be your problem. Did you fill it up to there yet?

 

[MadReefer]

Do I fill sump, tank or throtlle the return so its slow and the sump fills?