Sump water lvl help pls

[Reefdiculous22]

Hello. I finally got my tank and pump and everything set up. I actually started cycling 2 days ago but idk if I have it set up correctly. The water in my skimmer bay is way too high but if I take it out it depletes my return pump bay. But the plunger that came set up in the tank is where I set the water lvl for the auto that came with the tank. I filled the tank and then the sump , turned on the pump and tried to set the pump it was about half power, I set the valve to keep the water lvl at the plunger but can’t quiet it down and the skimmer was overflowing. I came home today and about half the water was depleted in my pump bay but the rest of the water was still high lvl. How do I find the right balance? Any help or suggestions would be hugely appreciated. I just started and I’d hate to give up now over some technical issue. The instructions are pretty vague. Thanks again. Happy reefing. Cheers

 

[cmoore806]

A picture would help.

it sounds like you need an auto top off or you need to be adding top off water manually to replace evaporation.

 

[Jedi1199]

If the skimmer chamber is too full, simply place the skimmer on a shelf of some kind to raise it to a level where is works efficiently and doesn't run the returns dry. Many people do this to combat this very issue.

 

[Reefdiculous22]

A picture would help.

it sounds like you need an auto top off or you need to be adding top off water manually to replace evaporation.

I did just add some water. I didn’t think it would evaporate that fast. I would send a pic but it’s really hard to see in my sump. I didn’t wrap it. Thank you for the reply.

 

[Reefdiculous22]

If the skimmer chamber is too full, simply place the skimmer on a shelf of some kind to raise it to a level where is works efficiently and doesn't run the returns dry. Many people do this to combat this very issue.

I didn’t think of that. What kind of material could I use? I don’t know what would effect the tank.

 

[Reefdiculous22]

 

[Reefdiculous22]

I have a bunch of crap down in the bottom of my summer

 

[Reefdiculous22]

Sump

 

[Jedi1199]

Those "Bio Bricks" (not sure what exactly they are called} would work. Some egg crate and zip ties would make a box sturdy enough for much less cost...

 

[Jedi1199]

My only concern for this method, is to ensure tat whatever you chose, not have a negative impact on flow. Your sump is your filter, you want to ensure as much flow through it as possible.

 

[Reefdiculous22]

My only concern for this method, is to ensure tat whatever you chose, not have a negative impact on flow. Your sump is your filter, you want to ensure as much flow through it as possible.

I see. I just don’t understand why Red Sea would design the auto top off to be higher than their skimmer lvl.

 

[Jedi1199]

I see. I just don’t understand why Red Sea would design the auto top off to be higher than their skimmer lvl.

That one is easy..

So they can charge you more to buy something that you do, but shouldn't need. As if their outrageous prices weren't bad enough...

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

If it’s a RS reefer tank there should be an adjustable panel that controls water height in the skimmer chamber. They usually have two thumb screws and it’s just before the pump where the floss pad goes. I don’t know if that helps.

edit, I also believe you can adjust the ato float up and down.

 

[Jedi1199]

If it’s a RS reefer tank there should be an adjustable panel that controls water height in the skimmer chamber. They usually have two thumb screws and it’s just before the pump where the floss pad goes. I don’t know if that helps.

edit, I also believe you can adjust the ato float up and down.

I don't have any experience with RS sumps and tanks... Thanks for the input here. If that is not an option, the shelf idea will do the job.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I don't have any experience with RS sumps and tanks... Thanks for the input here. If that is not an option, the shelf idea will do the job.

It sure will. Once I read about it being a RS reefer, I figured I’d chime in on the adjustable gate and ato float. Many people use shelf’s, bricks, pvc spacers, anything to raise the skimmer, but his should be fully adjustable. Like you said though, no reason not to raise the skimmer if you have to.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

…also if it’s an RS skimmer there should be a water level sticker on the adjustment rod. I think mine was red. That’s where you want to try and get the water level to in the skimmer chamber which should be adjustable by two inches or so by lifting or lowering the gate panel.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

….,and lastly the notorious RS valve. It’s kinda a pain in a** to adjust perfectly. I would google how to adjust that. I know you have to be very patient and make a small turn of the knob and wait 15-30 minutes to see where your at. You need to have the overflow box cover off so you can watch the level and try to get it as a small trickle going into the emergency overflow. It’s a balancing act of pump flow, RS valve adjustment, and water level. Let the games begin!

 

[Reefdiculous22]

That one is easy..

So they can charge you more to buy something that you do, but shouldn't need. As if their outrageous prices weren't bad enough...

Yes. I paid a crap load to get started. In hind sight I should have started smaller being my first tank but I didn’t want to go thru the process of upgrading. I know this is something I want to do . Still everyone on YouTube was talking about them so I thought they should be good. I have to say I’m not impressed. I’ve been trying for a week since I got water in the tank to stop the gurgle to no avail.

 

[Reefdiculous22]

…also if it’s an RS skimmer there should be a water level sticker on the adjustment rod. I think mine was red. That’s where you want to try and get the water level to in the skimmer chamber which should be adjustable by two inches or so by lifting or lowering the gate panel.

 

[Reefdiculous22]

I saw that. That’s why I was confused. The gate is all the way down. I did not know it was adjustable.