Overflow/Water Level Issue

[RMAS0934]

Hi Everyone,

So I have what feels like a tremendously stupid question lol, but this issue is stressing me out big time as I cannot trust my system enough to run the pumps/water flow (and yes I'm mentally preparing myself for a lifetime banishment from saltwater aquariums after this question ). And please bare with me as I try to explain this the best I can.

I am not able to keep the water level in my tank or sump consistent, but this is not due to evaporation. The issue is with how the overflow box is draining water into the sump, or at least that's my guess. The problem is that when the U-Tube is moved in any direction (not in or out of water, but left to right tilted along the top of the box, the amount of water that goes into the sump changes (the u-tube also has zero air in it). What this looks like is the overflow box (the black box within the tank) is completely full, or at least mostly full. The part of the overflow box on the outside of the tank may be half full with plenty of water going into the sump. However, if the u-tube is moved or adjusted, even by accident, the water level on the outer box to the drain will either get very low or very high, and the water in the sump will either get low enough to burn out the pump or have a level at 13+ inches. This process happens within a matter of under a minute. I can adjust the position of the u-tube along the top of the box, and the water in the sump will adjust as well. The problem is that it wont ever level out and stay consistent. It will lower until the DT overflows and the pump burns out, or it will raise in the sump until that overflows...slowly but surely. I have the system shut off now, and I have an ATO on the way, but this issue even renders an ATO completely ineffective! I have not had this issue until yesterday, but for some reason I cannot get this to work properly. I obviously cannot put any livestock in as the water level fluctuates too much, I can't track evap which would affect the salinity, and many other things as well. The overflow box is also rated slightly higher for gph than the pump, so I really don't understand why it would allow the water to be so low in the sump, as if the pump is out working it.

Any thoughts, instructions, etc. is very welcome and thank you all!

Ryan

 

[twilliard]

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewi...PPRZ3slujGPEiXkKS_j-nZZtraqJ_k_9hvxoCRInw_wcB

This with the aqualifter will help solve the problem of a U tube design.

 

[RMAS0934]

Thanks for link! If I can't get this overflow right away are there any suggestions to fix this while I'm waiting?

 

[AZDesertRat]

What HOB overflow box do you have? If it is sized and set up properly you should never have problems with it nor require an Aqualifter. Overflows like the Eshopps and Lifereef have been successful for years.
What pump DI you have, is it sized correctly for the overflow?
How is everything plumbed, what size plumbing and what valves or fittings does it have and where?

I would never put an Aqualifter on a u tube overflow but I would always on a CPR overflow.

 

[RMAS0934]

The Overflow is an ESHOPPS 800 and the pump is an EHEIM Compact 2000. The Sump is an ESHOPPS RS 100. The hose from the Overflow to the sump is whatever hose comes with the sump itself, and the hose from the pump to the return is 3/4 inch ID (what fits the pump).

 

[SteveSTL]

Is the U-tube sitting up so that neither end is resting on the floor of the box (you don't have it in backwards)? I used U tube overflows for years and never had a problem unless the pump was oversized and emptied the sump too fast. But it sounds like the problem is with the U tube.

 

[SteveSTL]

Also how far down is the inside box? It should never drain down so far that it overflows the sump...the NOWL should be right at the middle of the teeth.

 

[RMAS0934]

The inside box is at a level that the water reaches about halfway up the teeth, maybe slightly higher. Yes, the pump is actually rated for a slightly lower gph rate than the sump. It's weird, if the u-tube is tilted left or right a little bit, or even moved, everything gets re-adjusted, and and this point, I haven't been able to find the sweet spot as to be able to keep everything level, it just goes up and up and up or the opposite. Even weirder is that it's going fine for over a week now and then yesterday when putting the glass canopy back on top of the DT, it bumped the overflow box a little then all downhill from there w/ the u-tube thing.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Is the pump running at its full capacity or do you have it adjusted down? You might also disassemble the pump to make sure there is nothing in the impeller area.
U tubes need a certain minimum velocity or flow to be reliable and it may not have enough.
The U tube should hang plumb by itself and not lean one way or the other when adjusted properly. If it is a J tube style the longer leg should be on the outside.
Maybe photos might help with the troubleshooting?

 

[RMAS0934]

The pump is running full blast. I will take a look in the pump tonight and see if there's an issue. I'll take a look again tonight and possibly take the u-tube out and start the system then re-siphon to see if that fixes it? Not sure. Maybe I'll change to the overflow box without the u-tube?

 

[jpontier212]

Imo first check the tube. The difference between it being a j-tube or a u may cause this fluctuation. Also the overflow box on the inside of the tank usually had 2 adjustable nylon screw and wing nut. If your box is sitting lopsided then that would explain the difference in flow from left to right. Try these first. Fairly easy and inexpensive. Next would be the rafting of the overflow box may be in question next. Good luck

 

[jpontier212]

Imo first check the tube. The difference between it being a j-tube or a u may cause this fluctuation. Also the overflow box on the inside of the tank usually had 2 adjustable nylon screw and wing nut. If your box is sitting lopsided then that would explain the difference in flow from left to right. Try these first. Fairly easy and inexpensive. Next would be the rafting of the overflow box may be in question next. Good luck

The rating i meant. Sorry for the typo

 

[RMAS0934]

Will check those in just a few. If I still have issues, is my tank ok to sit with everything shut off for a couple days until new equipment arrives? Its 75 gal with only live rock and live sand. No livestock yet.

 

[Thai Tran4]

Will check those in just a few. If I still have issues, is my tank ok to sit with everything shut off for a couple days until new equipment arrives? Its 75 gal with only live rock and live sand. No livestock yet.

I had the same issue, I had the overflow box adjusted to the highest with the plastic wingnuts. The U tube is long and therefore the bottom of the U-tube hits the bottom of the overflow box and prevents water from adjusting. Either cut the U-tube a little shorter or adjust the overflow box down more.