Help with salt creep/leaking tank??

[mwm5461]

Hello all,

I've had my Nuvo 14g reef tank for about a year now. I recently moved into a new place and have been seeing some bizarre issues with my tank that I don't fully understand. Listed below are some of the issues I've noticed. I provided photos as well that should help people understand what I'm describing. I greatly appreciate any advice or help that anyone can provide. Thank you!
1. When I moved I noticed my tank wasn't level. I let this go on for a number of weeks and then finally bought some shims to level it out. It's level now but I'm still getting weird salt creep down the same side of the tank.

2. There have been some issues with my return chamber. I'm not sure if these were related to the unlevel tank but I don't believe so as I'm seeing the same issue after I used the shimmies. I'm constantly seeing the return chamber water level significantly higher than my auto top off sensor. I do suspect that my return pump could be the problem as it has run dry for short periods of time (couple mins max) a number of times over the year I've owned it. Is the return pump the issue? In addition, the filter chamber levels seem pretty high as well.

3. I'm not sure if this is related to any of the above issues but I'm also somewhat concerned there may be a leak at the bottom of the tank. Salt creep is all around the bottom of the tank and pretty bad in some areas. Is this likely due to a leak in the bottom of the tank? The tank is also somewhat near two windows which is new for the tank, is this creep a result of the sun getting to the aquarium? I feel like if we damaged the tank in the move I would've noticed some leaking before placing the tank back on the stand. In addition, the salinity hasn't been changing really which I find bizarre with all what I understand to be evidence of leaking.

 

[jeffww]

Is there a clip over the edge of the tank? It is probably wicking water out....

 

[mwm5461]

Is there a clip over the edge of the tank? It is probably wicking water out....

Yes, should I just move the clip to the center instead of at the corner? This hasn't happened in the past. I guess that would explain problem #1 though

 

[reef lover]

I think as well the clip is wicking water which is building up.along the bottom and causing all the salt creep. Not sure why the chambers would be running higher...is the ato continuing to siohon water out after it shuts off??

 

[mwm5461]

I think as well the clip is wicking water which is building up.along the bottom and causing all the salt creep. Not sure why the chambers would be running higher...is the ato continuing to siohon water out after it shuts off??

Appreciate the input. So the wicking could be pushing the salt creep all around the base of the tank? How do I resolve that since those clips are keeping my top on?

Thats part of my confusion with the chambers. The Ato siphon works properly when water goes below the sensor. It'll fill the water back up to the sensor. I'll walk away come back hours later or check the next day and the water levels in the chambers will be funky again.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Evening

Personally I would be really worried about this. I agree something is causing the water to run down the side. But it looks like salt is built up is higher on the back right by the wires. My suggestion is clean all the salt creep off everything. Put paper towel around the entire bottom frame, tape them on. Try to get the paper towel right in the fame where the glass is.

I would check every 15-20 minutes. If the top of the towel is wet the water is coming from the top.. if wet by where the frame is, you have a leak and I would drain ASAP.

 

[reef lover]

Appreciate the input. So the wicking could be pushing the salt creep all around the base of the tank? How do I resolve that since those clips are keeping my top on?

Thats part of my confusion with the chambers. The Ato siphon works properly when water goes below the sensor. It'll fill the water back up to the sensor. I'll walk away come back hours later or check the next day and the water levels in the chambers will be funky again.

Any way to lower the water levle so it doesnt touch the clips?
And on my ato the heighth it sits next to my sump...if i fill my bucket too much to the point the water is higher than my output tube...then it will continue to back siphon water until its past the point of the hose causing my water levle in tank to be higher...hope this makes sense.

 

[Tamberav]

Likely the clips..I have seen that issue before. I remember people changing their shape and drilling holes in them and such to fix the issue.

As the water runs over the edge from the clips it will run around the edge of the tank and collect at the bottom.

Back chambers could be a back siphon or mine has done weird things when the floss gets dirty as it messes with the flow through the back.

 

[mwm5461]

Likely the clips..I have seen that issue before. I remember people changing their shape and drilling holes in them and such to fix the issue.

As the water runs over the edge from the clips it will run around the edge of the tank and collect at the bottom.

Back chambers could be a back siphon or mine has done weird things when the floss gets dirty as it messes with the flow through the back.

Okay, that is a much less stressful of a response haha. I do notice that the clips are still somewhat making contact with the water so I'm going to try to resolve that first.

With the back chambers I've thought the same but I keep my floss pretty clean. By back siphon do you mean my return pump? I feel like it's not pulling the water through the filtration efficiently.

 

[Tamberav]

Okay, that is a much less stressful of a response haha. I do notice that the clips are still somewhat making contact with the water so I'm going to try to resolve that first.

With the back chambers I've thought the same but I keep my floss pretty clean. By back siphon do you mean my return pump? I feel like it's not pulling the water through the filtration efficiently.

From the ATO.... Like it's pulling water into the tank from your resivor. The ATO container should be lower/below the tank and I don't place the tubing in the water. Just a thought this could be a problem depending on your set up.

 

[mwm5461]

From the ATO.... Like it's pulling water into the tank from your resivor. The ATO container should be lower/below the tank and I don't place the tubing in the water. Just a thought this could be a problem depending on your set up.

Oh understood. Ya my reservoir is sitting below the tank and the tubing is well above the water line.

 

[reef lover]

So that rules out the ato....id try changing all the filter media out and giving the return pump.a good cleaning.

 

[mwm5461]

So that rules out the ato....id try changing all the filter media out and giving the return pump.a good cleaning.

I did this a couple weeks ago and it seemed to fix the issue for all of a couple hours...maybe a day max...

 

[reef lover]

My next move would be replacing the return.

 

[mwm5461]

My next move would be replacing the return.

Alright, guess I'll proceed with that...

Thanks for the help

 

[JoshH]

Why type of pump do you have? Most of them you can adjust the flow they put out, check and see if the one you have can be adjusted before buying a new one. If you throttle it back a touch it will more than likely resolve all your issues as this will lower the water height inside the display. The unfortunate side of smaller AIOs is there filters clog frequently and they do need more than regular cleaning. A clogged filter floss chamber or clogged sock will raise the level in your filter chamber and in your DT.

Circled in the first photo you posted you can see the clip touching the waterline in your tank and this will absolutely wick water up and over the tank rim. You can even see the stain beginning from the corner of the clip. Once up and over the water will hit the foam pad on your tank and this will absorb moisture and wick it around the bottom. You could also take the clips out and trim the inside portion a 1/4" shorter to get it out of the water, real easy to do and another quick fix to the wicking issue.

As for the ATO, how old is it? It might have a minimum run time and the small chamber fills up quickly So it overfills above the sensor. Are these new issues? Or something you've just always dealt with? The levels in your chambers seem normal to me but it's hard to see the sock/filter chamber in your pictures.

 

[mwm5461]

Why type of pump do you have? Most of them you can adjust the flow they put out, check and see if the one you have can be adjusted before buying a new one. If you throttle it back a touch it will more than likely resolve all your issues as this will lower the water height inside the display. The unfortunate side of smaller AIOs is there filters clog frequently and they do need more than regular cleaning. A clogged filter floss chamber or clogged sock will raise the level in your filter chamber and in your DT.

Circled in the first photo you posted you can see the clip touching the waterline in your tank and this will absolutely wick water up and over the tank rim. You can even see the stain beginning from the corner of the clip. Once up and over the water will hit the foam pad on your tank and this will absorb moisture and wick it around the bottom. You could also take the clips out and trim the inside portion a 1/4" shorter to get it out of the water, real easy to do and another quick fix to the wicking issue.

As for the ATO, how old is it? It might have a minimum run time and the small chamber fills up quickly So it overfills above the sensor. Are these new issues? Or something you've just always dealt with? The levels in your chambers seem normal to me but it's hard to see the sock/filter chamber in your pictures.

Really appreciate your input...unfortunately I proceeded with purchasing a new return pump (https://www.marinedepot.com/mightyjet-dc-return-pump-326-gph-auqa-gadget-desktop-innovative-marine) but I'm fine with that since it has a feed mode and can adjust the flow. We'll see if I can get the flow proper with the that pump.

What do you recommend I use to trim the clips?

Any suggestions other than cleaning more regularly to prevent the filter clogging?

The ATO is probably less than a year old. These are new issues, I have'nt seen the chamber levels act this out of whack. I don't believe it's an ATO problem as much as a pump/filtering problem based on what I've witnessed. The ATO usually cuts out right at the sensor.