Brand new to reef2reef / help before I quit forever

epitoke · Jun 21, 2013

I started my current tank 3 years ago. I've made some modifications to it but my most recent one, my refugium, is going to make me quit forever. The water levels won't stay constant for over a day or two. I have my return pump elevated so it won't overflow the display and my siphon into the fuge is cut off so if the water level goes down too far in the display it won't overflow into the fuge.

Does anyone have any recommendations on how I can solve this problem?

I work at a plastics company and built the fuge myself, so if possible I can build an entire new one for pretty cheap. I just really don't know what to do. The water levels drop too much too frequently and sometimes it's when I'm heading out for work and I have to turn off the fuge completely, meaning my skimmer is off and there's no filtration. My corals have suffered dramatically since I installed it. With the lack of filtration and then constant bubbles, I just really don't know what to do anymore.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Rob.D · Jun 21, 2013

An Auto Top Off will help keep the water level stable.

What does the height of the return pump have to do with overfilling the display?

epitoke · Jun 21, 2013

If the level gets too high in the display, the level in the sump will lower. So if the return pump is elevated it can't overflow in the display.

Thank u for the auto top off idea. I'll look into that right now. Would that go in the sump?

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Aquaph8 · Jun 21, 2013

You would have another container on the side with fresh water, the sensors from the Auto top off will turn on a pump and fill with fresh water as it evaporates. Then you'll have a constant salt level and water level.

marvelousone · Jun 21, 2013

what it sounds like overflow is under rated for pump. You baffles in the fuge don't need to be as tall that you have them. I have 3 tanks and they 3 have refugiums. you will lose water everyday from evaporation. If you pump is at the bottom and the water line is a good 8" or so. You should only have to add a little top off water once a day. By no means should it over fill dt or fiuge. Add a ato then you have to worry about the water but once a week or so. Depends on your evaporation rate. I use a 5 gallon jug and I get 5 days on one and 7 days on another one.

epitoke · Jun 21, 2013

Thank you all very much. I'm going to get an auto top off tonight.

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Rob.D · Jun 21, 2013

It sounds like your return pump might be overpowering your drain line. It looks like you have a ball valve on the return pump, have you tried slowing the return pump with the valve?

An ATO consists of a low water sensor that signals a pump set in a freshwater reservoir, when the water level drops it signals the pump to refill the lost water from evaporation.

JBJ Automatic Top Off (A.T.O.) System Water Level Controller

marvelousone · Jun 21, 2013

Put your return pump on the bottom.

epitoke · Jun 21, 2013

Rob D. Yes I've been constantly adjusting it since I set it up. It stays level with the siphon for a day or two but then something goes haywire.

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Aquaph8 · Jun 21, 2013

I agree I would make the baffles lower. Put your skimmer in the first chamber so you can set the height to whatever your skimmer runs best at. With lower baffles you'll have a little more insurance (place for water to go in the event of a power outage), right now you have zero space.

epitoke · Jun 21, 2013

Marvelousone. I'm worried that if its on the bottom it will overflow the display tank.

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epitoke · Jun 21, 2013

I've been thinking that too. My friend convinced me that the more water the better the refugium. I was skeptical but since I didn't know what i was doing i just agreed with him and built it that way.

So I need to lower the baffles so the water level is at about 8 inches or so?

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Aquaph8 · Jun 21, 2013

Have you tried T-ing your return so not all the flow goes up to the display. If you T it off with a valve you can control the level in your sump. Ill try to get you a picture.

Rob.D · Jun 21, 2013

BTW don't give up, keep the questions coming and the great community that is R2R will do their best to help you through your problems!

Aquaph8 · Jun 21, 2013

Here is what I mean by adding the T to help you set your sump level. I should have put the red valve up where the check valve is but I learned that one the hard way. With is setup you can match the flow with your overflow easier. See where it goes back to the sump on the bottom left with the black ball valve.

marvelousone · Jun 21, 2013

epitoke said:
Marvelousone. I'm worried that if its on the bottom it will overflow the display tank.

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If it is on the bottom and overflows dt then your overflow on your dt is to small for the pump. cut back the flow going up.It needs to equal whats coming down. all overflows have a gph's. Here is one of mine 20l on a 40breeder.

epitoke · Jun 21, 2013

Cool. Nice looking setup. I'm gonna get the baffles trimmed down hopefully in the next few days. Then I'm gonna start the new plumbing. And I'm sure ill have many more questions. Thanks a lot for all your help. I love this place.

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