Sump Help

[gordy2988]

this is my first sump system, and just need a little advice,,, I have everything running ok,, but my drain line into the sump is making allot of bubbles when the pump is on? and my pump chamber water seems to stay very low?
also,, my middle chamber, do this need to be completely filled with media? is seems like the water just pass's right over the top and dosent' get any filteration?

 

[Jamesrup0411]

Do you have any pics? When you say “drain line making bubbles when pump is on” are you speaking about your return pump

 

[Jamesrup0411]

Also your return pump chamber water level will be lower than your other chambers

 

[W1ngz]

We need more details to help. Pics, the brand of sump if it was bought, what's in the middle chamber? How many drains do you have?

Bubbles in a drain is caused by sucking air into the a line that doesn't or shouldn't have a full siphon. Normal on some drain styles, not on others.

Low water in the return section is caused by:
- Evaporation if it's happening after gradually over many hours or a days. Totally normal.

- If it's happening quickly, over just a couple of hours it's because the drain is taking a long time to stabilize and water eventually makes it way into the overflow box and plumbing making it look like water is disappearing.

- If it's happening within 5-10 minutes of the pump starting it's because the water level is normal, and will always be a little lower in the return than the rest because that's how a sump is designed. Top it off to keep the pump far enough under water so it doesn't create a vortex and suck air into the pump.

 

[Glott3133]

Definitely add some pics, but the middle chamber can be used for media or even possibly a refugium. The water doesn't simply sit stagnant in that chamber, it gets enough circulation for bacteria to settle on the media.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

How to you accommodate for evaporation? Are you manually doing it? Or do you have an ATO?

 

[gordy2988]

Do you have any pics? When you say “drain line making bubbles when pump is on” are you speaking about your return pump

I will have to take some photo's. my tank has an over flow system with a chamber in the corner of the tank. i have two pipes inside there, one is the drain the other is the return. the drain pipe has two holes in the upper portion, once the water level reaches those, in drains down into the sump. i have that pipe extending down into the first chamber, and it is about an inch deeper then the water level. when i turn the return pump on, and everything starts cycling, a decent about of bubbles and air come out of the drain

 

[Jamesrup0411]

Yes pics of your setup is needed, also kind of sounds like you don’t have a emergency drain?

 

[W1ngz]

A single drain is called a durso. Some air is normal since it cant take a full siphon properly, because there is no emergency drain.

 

[gordy2988]

Well not really sure what I did but it I fixed it. Just used a longer hose from the bulk head down into the sump. No more bubbles or air. Even reduced the noise. Thanks everyone for their thoughts and input.