Putting in new sump... Having an issue - Need help ASAP

[qlcing]

My pump is currently off, so any help ASAP would be great.

I didn't setup the tank myself, but over the last year i have learned alot. But This is what's happening:

I installed my new eshopps rs-100 sump, (it has a 3 foot overflow line compared to my old 1 foot line). I even out the water in the sump to the line they say too, and then top off my aquarium so that it's flowing into the overflow (it's a drilled tank).

When i turn the pump on, the water in the return compartment get's sucked down to 2" - i cannot figure out why.

 

[wilecyote007]

Hey there im new to reefing but saw the asap so knowing nothing about the equip only thing i can think is to much head pressure for pump since it pushes 3ft instead of 1 now. Or did you mean the sump level goes down to 2ft? Could that be the empty lines filling with water from the sump to tank?

 

[Mark Gray]

I believe you will have to throttle your pump back

 

[qlcing]

Hey there im new to reefing but saw the asap so knowing nothing about the equip only thing i can think is to much head pressure for pump since it pushes 3ft instead of 1 now. Or did you mean the sump level goes down to 2ft? Could that be the empty lines filling with water from the sump to tank?

I mean that the overflow line is 3ft, not the return pump line, thank you though

 

[miPapareef]

The reason the water drops in the return pump section when you turn on the pump is that water is filling all the piping. Both the return line and drain lines are empty when the pump is off.

The water level line in a sump is set with the pump running and stable. So I'm pretty sure you need more water in the system because you have added a longer line.

Just make sure when the pump turns off it doesn't overflow the sump if you add more water.

 

[ImGood]

The reason the water drops in the return pump section when you turn on the pump is that water is filling all the piping. Both the return line and drain lines are empty when the pump is off.

The water level line in a sump is set with the pump running and stable. So I'm pretty sure you need more water in the system because you have added a longer line.

Just make sure when the pump turns off it doesn't overflow the sump if you add more water.

I agree, more water in the system. and good advice on not overflowing the sump,

 

[FishGuyBri]

I agree, more water in the system. and good advice on not overflowing the sump,

+1 on adding water to sustem. I had similar issues when I started.

 

[qlcing]

I added more water (it's nearly to the brim of the tank) and still having the same issue

 

[miPapareef]

When the water is near the tank brim, is that with the pump running? And what pump do you have?

Do you have any valves in the drain or return lines? What type overflow? Is it a corner overflow with a single drain? Do you have any pictures?

Sorry lots of questions, but just trying to help.

 

[qlcing]

Here are some pictures (the return pump is currently off). Its a corner overflow single.

 

[pdt7361]

I have an eshopps adv-200 and have the same problem if I turn my return pump up too high...the water in the return section drops to nothing and the other sections rise.

 

[pdt7361]

What kind of return pump do you have? And assuming it is a DC pump, how high do you have it turned up?

 

[qlcing]

AQUATOP SWP-3600 is my pump- i don't think i can adjust the rate. Should i just get a new pump at this point? (This is a new sump & skimmer so may as well do the trifecta)

 

[miPapareef]

Thanks for the pics and info. It appears your return pump is pumping more water than your overflow can return. You could replace the pump with a lower flow rate, but it's cheaper to put a ball valve in the return line to reduce the flow of the pump you already have.

The other thing to look at is, why is the overflow not able to keep up? I can't tell from the picture what the drain type but, it probably needs a little bit of adjustment and maintenance. Most likely it's a Durso or Stockman type.

Durso has a Tee in the pipe

Stockman has a larger pipe&cap over the end of the down pipe.

 

[qlcing]

I will say that I did not have this issue before I replaced my old sump and skimmer. I've had the same return pump since I've had the tank. Either way my overflow is a Dorso

 

[qlcing]

Any suggestions? My return has been off for 2 days now (though i have circulation pumps going to keep oxygen in the tank)

 

[SethOF]

Any suggestions? My return has been off for 2 days now (though i have circulation pumps going to keep oxygen in the tank)

Getting a ball valve as suggested is a good starting point, adjust the flow and see whether it helps. Even if you get another pump, an in line ball valve is a good idea in your return line.

 

[pdt7361]

Ball valve is definitely the way to go here and I don't believe it is your overflow...it is the sump and how much (or little) flow it can push through

 

[1987]

Throw a valve on it, or grab a dc return pump that allows you control how fast it pumps. Jebao makes some decent inexpensive ones.

 

[1987]

Also check your local hydroponics stores. They usually have the valves in stock. You won't have to wait for it to show up in the mail.