Help troubleshooting from a clueless wife

[maggiefishh]

Hi there! My husbands off the grid for a few days and while I frequently help execute tasks for his tank, I have no idea how to fix this myself.
Pump in the sump (?) is loud and I think not getting enough water. There’s a lot of bubbly algae and salt is crystallizing on the edges. I believe it needs more fresh water at the bottom, but idk specific ratios and to mess it up
Pls lmk if you have any advice or don’t mind helping me for a few mins.
Thanks!
Maggie

 

[maggiefishh]

 

[ANDREW PRITCHARD]

Return chamber does look dry
By the looks of it he has an apex system so he should notified of the problem from the app
But right now if just added a thew litres of sw or just enough to cover the return pump it will solve this problem for short period
My guess is may be auto top off empty or playing up

 

[tehmadreefer]

Oh boy. Get fresh water in the return pump area ASAP, otherwise looking at a major disaster!

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hi,

And #WelcometoR2R . I would suggest RO water if you have.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Or just shut off the return pump but keep the power heads in tank on.

 

[rtparty]

RO water in the return pump section and ASAP!

 

[fishguy242]

hi ,agree add rodi water,do you know how to check salinity?
can you post more pics of tank and sump at eye level?
pics of any monitor s or readings?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Sounds like the water level is low and its running dry and sucking in air.
No panic or expertise needed: Simply add RO water if he uses such or get 2 gallons of distilled water from the grocery store and slowly add to sump and the noise and bubbles will cease.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Welcome to the Forum and to the source for answers !!

 

[maceto]

Welcome!

 

[Fred2482]

Welcome, I would definitely add water quickly or the pump will burn up.

 

[rubertoe93]

Welcome!!

 

[UkiahTheTurtle]

Hello and welcome

 

[Specific Ocean]

Welcome!

 

[KWT]

Welcome to R2R

 

[maggiefishh]

hi ,agree add rodi water,do you know how to check salinity?
can you post more pics of tank and sump at eye level?
pics of any monitor s or readings?

Thanks everyone! I put a few liters of the filtered (RO I guess!) water from the tap he built. Attaching more images and the dashboard here. The red algae has been growing on the glass for a while but he ran out of time to clean it before he left on this Baja XL rally (where he has no service for the next 3 days) which was Tuesday. I only noticed because the loud pump this morning, which is better now with the water. I’ll make sure to keep adding water there, but let me know if any other recommendations or tweaks to keep this alive the next few days Thanks so much for the help and warm welcome!

Welcome to R2R

 

[fishguy242]

Looks like you will be fine nice system..just keep water topped off.
Tell your husband we want pics ,once glass is clean

 

[fishguy242]

and....

hi welcome to the reef going to love it here!!
lots of fun/info/fun/help/fun..

 

[BaysEndReef]