Tank not draining

jbaker727 · Apr 20, 2015

When the power goes off then comes back on,the tank will fill back up but won't start draining unless I open the valves all the way..Any suggestions..

Deep_Six Corals · Apr 20, 2015

Which valves are you talking about? Are they electronic? Or are they ball/gate valves that you normally keep semi-closed?

jbaker727 · Apr 20, 2015

The ball/gate valves

Deep_Six Corals · Apr 20, 2015

Mabey there is crude built up within the drain pipe or the valve its self. Maybe try opening and closing a bunch of times if you haven't done so already? maybe find a way to blast a bit of water down the drain pipe. HTH

Reefing Madness · Apr 20, 2015

Siphon is lost somewhere in there. Does the overlfow acually fill up and run water down the lines? Do you have an airline attached to a powerhead to suck out the air trapped in the lines?

jbaker727 · Apr 20, 2015

Yes it fills up and runs down the pipes. I don't have a airline attached to suck out the air tho. Didn't know I needed that for a drilled tank. I have one on my overflow box on my 90g

WetWorks · Apr 20, 2015

before i got throwing out suggestions why don't you tell me about your set up and the complete plumbing you have done to the drain lines. Pics would be best! we could get this fixed really quickly

jbaker727 · Apr 20, 2015

Simple setup..55g refugium reeflow barracuda pump, splits to both sides of tank with ball valves. I have 2" drain pipes with ball valves drain back into refugium. Most of the time it takes a min then starts draining. This time it didn't and with my auto top off running the tank began to overflow

Reefing Madness · Apr 21, 2015

I don't understand what the ball valve would have to do with stopping water if its in the open position, and theres water running at it, doesn't make sense to me. Are the pipes into the sump under water there?

jbaker727 · Apr 21, 2015

Pipes are under water in sump.

redfishbluefish · Apr 21, 2015

Assuming durso.....make sure the hole in the top of the durso isn't clogged:

jbaker727 · Apr 21, 2015

I have checked the durso for clog. I have to do water change today. I'm wondering if I put an air sucker on it if that will do the trick. Sometimes when I do water changes I have to open the valves full for it to begin draining...