Help needed: Changing sump water level

[mfollen]

hello all! I’m in great need of fast help before I leave a dysfunctional sump for a work trip!!!

Of course the night before I leave for a work trip, my ATO is now running almost non-stop.

The main skimmer compartment for some reason is now rising higher and higher, while the return pump (& ATO) chamber water level drops. TheATO then pumps more water in as the return pump chamber continues to drop, while the skimmer compartment continues to rise.

In between the skimmer compartment and the (return pump/ATO) compartment is a bubble catching filter pad. This is pointed out in the attached picture.

Until today the ATO has been working perfectly.
The only thing that might of changed is debris building up in the bubble pad in between the two compartment? Or maybe Filter socks flowing into the skimmer chamber slowing flow as they were in need of a change too...

Any idea on what could of happened that caused this change in water levels across compartments? It’s a waterbox sump. Picture attached.

Thank you SO MUCH!!

 

[lapin]

In my sump if the socks get clogged the level in that compartment rises. When this happens the return section is lower. My ATO will kick on to maintain the return chamber level.

 

[Hemmdog]

It’s the socks. I had the same issue for months, couldn’t figure it out... I run no socks now. No issues with ato or skimmer overflowing since.

Sweet setup by the way.

 

[mfollen]

Thank you so much!! I feel so much better knowing that this is the issue. If this happened tomorrow while I was out... OMG!!! Lol, this hobby. If it can... it will.

Thanks for the compliment btw! Work in progress!!

 

[Hemmdog]

Thank you so much!! I feel so much better knowing that this is the issue. If this happened tomorrow while I was out... OMG!!! Lol, this hobby. If it can... it will.

Thanks for the compliment btw! Work in progress!!

Anytime! Can’t wait to see some pics of the display as it matures!

 

[mfollen]

Socks were removed yesterday. Unfortunately, I wake up and the issue is still happening. The main compartment chamber is slowly rising while the ATO in the return pump chamber keeps pumping.

Any other ideas as to what is causing this? I had to leave for work and won’t be back for another day, of course.

Thank you everyone.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I would clean or remove the bubble catcher, IMO the situation your describing would would most likely be caused by the foam bubble catcher being clogged.

 

[mfollen]

Thanks @Retro Reefer when I get home I’ll see what I end up with and will try that.

 

[KStatefan]

The main skimmer compartment for some reason is now rising higher and higher, while the return pump (& ATO) chamber water level drops.

Increased restriction (less flow) between these two.