Newbie: Overflow Water Level / Sump

johnbr · Mar 21, 2018

Hi Guys,

I've just finished to fill the tank but for some reason every time I turn on the Vectra the water level goes below the pump almost. I kept pouring water but now the sump is almost overflowing and there's nothing in the overflow box.

Just for reference my drain is 1 inch and my return 3/4.

Don't what to do at this point.

Pictures:

Look the water level in the skimmer chamber. All other chambers are also like that. If I turn on the pump the water in the pump chamber will go down almost to the bottom.

Crabs McJones · Mar 21, 2018

Is that gate valve on your drain or on your return?

johnbr · Mar 21, 2018

crabs_mcjones said:
Is that gate valve on your drain or on your return?

On my return and is open. Full open

Crabs McJones · Mar 21, 2018

johnbr said:
On my return and is open. Full open

Why a gate valve on the return? And is that an anti drain back valve next do it? Dumb question but if you turn your pump on does it open? Is there actually water flowing in the display tank?

johnbr · Mar 21, 2018

crabs_mcjones said:
Why a gate valve on the return? And is that an anti drain back valve next do it? Dumb question but if you turn your pump on does it open? Is there actually water flowing in the display tank?

I didn't know it wasn't necessary. New to the hobby here. Yes next to it is a check valve. I don't see full open but there's definitely water coming out of the return line.

Crabs McJones · Mar 21, 2018

johnbr said:
I didn't know it wasn't necessary. New to the hobby here. Yes next to it is a check valve. I don't see full open but is definitely water coming out of the return line.

No problem man, well help you get it figured out

so there is actually water flowing out the return nozzle in the tank. So is water falling into the overflow and draining down into the sump?

johnbr · Mar 21, 2018

Should I remove both of them? I thought the check inline valve was to break siphoning

johnbr · Mar 21, 2018

crabs_mcjones said:
No problem man, well help you get it figured out so there is actually water flowing out the return nozzle in the tank. So is water falling into the overflow and draining down into the sump?

Thanks a lot @crabs_mcjones

Yes there's water falling in there but not in a flow where the overflow gets to a high water level.

Crabs McJones · Mar 21, 2018

johnbr said:
Thanks a lot @crabs_mcjones

Yes there's water falling in there but not in a flow where the overflow gets to a high water level.

which sump is that?

KJAG · Mar 21, 2018

Is your gate valve on the return wide open? Have you tried valving it down to see what happens? Also, assuming you installed that check valve with the flap opening in the downward orientation?(Not a fan of check valves in general personally, but I know people run them horizontal, but vertical would be preferred.But you might be fine)

johnbr · Mar 21, 2018

crabs_mcjones said:
which sump is that?

The sump is the Eshopps ADV-200

Shores805 said:
Is your gate valve on the return wide open? Have you tried valving it down to see what happens? Also, assuming you installed that check valve with the flap opening in the downward orientation?(Not a fan of check valves in general personally, but I know people run them horizontal, but vertical would be preferred.But you might be fine)

No I haven't yet. I simply was playing with the pump speed but nothing changes. If I turn on the pump the water level is gone and the other sections of the sump start to overfill. The check valve is respecting the flow in this case the arrow is pointing to the left. There's an arrow indicating the flow direction.

Crabs McJones · Mar 21, 2018

johnbr said:
The sump is the Eshopps ADV-200

No I haven't yet. I simply was playing with the pump speed but nothing changes. If I turn on the pump the water level is gone and the other sections of the sump start to overfill. The check valve is respecting the flow in this case the arrow is pointing to the left. There's an arrow indicating the flow direction.

I would double check the gate valve and make sure the check valve is allowing water to flow in the correct direction. You've got some kind of blockage somewhere mate

Matthew Frost · Mar 21, 2018

OK, I'm not positive but I think this is one of the new E-Shopps ADV series stumps. There is a "carriage" that carries media in the inlet chamber. If that carriage isn`t in the sump in the correct orientation it dramatically restricts the flow through the sump. Try pulling it out and see if that helps with the water level in the return chamber and the pump pulling all of the water out.

johnbr · Mar 21, 2018

crabs_mcjones said:
I would double check the gate valve and make sure the check valve is allowing water to flow in the correct direction. You've got some kind of blockage somewhere mate

That's weird since I see water coming out from both lines =/

Crabs McJones · Mar 21, 2018

johnbr said:
That's weird since I see water coming out from both lines =/

It may not be in the lines is there anything in the sump that is restricting flow from your filter sock or to the chamber the return pump is in?

mrtian97 · Mar 21, 2018

What’s the power level u set on the Vectra, have u lower the power down? I use Vectra M1 and it’s feeding return line and media reactor and I only set it at 70%. My tank is 75 gallon redsea reefer 350

KJAG · Mar 21, 2018

johnbr said:
The sump is the Eshopps ADV-200

No I haven't yet. I simply was playing with the pump speed but nothing changes. If I turn on the pump the water level is gone and the other sections of the sump start to overfill. The check valve is respecting the flow in this case the arrow is pointing to the left. There's an arrow indicating the flow direction.

The check valve isnt the issue. Water will flow through it. I only mentioned it because since you do have it horizontal, just ensure the flap is pointed downwards.
Im not familiar with Vectras( I run external Reeflos) but as mentioned I would attempt valving it down even on the lowest setting( I wasnt aware the Vectras had multiple settings) and see if that solves it. If not, and this may or may not be an issue, but Ive never seen anyone run a massive sheet of Enkamat/sponge in between a baffle like that. The baffles do look to have very little space between them. If it were me I would attempt restricting the Gate and/or running a smaller sheet of filter in between the baffles.It may or may not be the case that its restricting flow back to the return chamber. I do like your scape by the way.

Matthew Frost · Mar 21, 2018

I'm almost positive now, that "media basket" is not in the sump correctly and the water is taking the path through the refugium and flow is greatly reduced. Focus your attention in the chamber to the back right of the sump, that is where your issue is.

Matthew Frost · Mar 21, 2018

Also, you might want to Google "herbie overflow", when your flow situation gets solved that tank drain is going to sound like a toilet flushing constantly.

johnbr · Mar 21, 2018

Matthew Frost said:
OK, I'm not positive but I think this is one of the new E-Shopps ADV series stumps. There is a "carriage" that carries media in the inlet chamber. If that carriage isn`t in the sump in the correct orientation it dramatically restricts the flow through the sump. Try pulling it out and see if that helps with the water level in the return chamber and the pump pulling all of the water out.

Dude you SAVED me. The cage was in the opposite side where the pass-through hole was. Now everything is moving. But was that supose to be that loud in the overflow box? If I put more water the water level in the sump will rise.

Or is it just removing the air bubbles?

Thanks