Water level issues

Gypsy · May 30, 2018

I have an all in one nano tank. I drilled the tank and installed the overflow box to have the water line to be 1 inch under the tank rim. My problem is that the waterline is sitting 1/2 higher closer to the tank rim. I’m trying to run a wave pump. So I’m trying to figure out my problem if it’s the return pump or my media isn’t letting water through fast enough. If I remove water to drop the line than my return chamber goes to low for the pump. I’m thinking to change to filter socks and a DC return pump that’s controllable. If you have been in my situation please help me out with advice and ideas, before I spend more money. Thank you.

TheEngineer · May 30, 2018

Anyone who has drilled their own tank knows this issue

There are two (and a half) ways to lower the water level: lower the intake or increase its rate or reduce the flow of your return pump.

By lowering the level of the intake, the water can’t rise as high. If you’ve attached this in a permanent fashion this isn’t an easy fix. The half solution comes in here. You could increase the size/depth of the grid on your overflow and that will also reduce the water height.

Reducing the flow from your return pump will mean less water needs to drain through your overflow. Less water to move equals lower water level.

Gypsy · May 31, 2018

TheEngineer said:
Anyone who has drilled their own tank knows this issue

There are two (and a half) ways to lower the water level: lower the intake or increase its rate or reduce the flow of your return pump.

By lowering the level of the intake, the water can’t rise as high. If you’ve attached this in a permanent fashion this isn’t an easy fix. The half solution comes in here. You could increase the size/depth of the grid on your overflow and that will also reduce the water height.

Reducing the flow from your return pump will mean less water needs to drain through your overflow. Less water to move equals lower water level.

Thank you.

Gypsy · May 31, 2018

Gypsy said:
Thank you.

So I will change the overflow first. What part do I change on the grid. Is it their length or their gap in between. The length I got at about 1 inch and the gaps are 1/8.