Water levels

[Chelle's Ocean]

Not quite sure where exactly to post this question...so feel free to move it if it is in the wrong section

Q: how do you get more water in the tank, and less in the sump?

I am not entirely pleased with the new tank we placed on our original stand.
I love it- don't get me wrong - it is now a dual overflow- whereas before I only had the single right-sided tank.
But there is way more water in the sump than in the actual tank. The water level only goes to midway of the comb teeth of the overflows.

Any ideas ?

 

[AZDesertRat]

Where the internal overflow box and its teeth are and the GPH of your return pump determine the level in the display tank. What is your return pumps GPH? To me about half way up on the overflow teeth is about right, it gives you a little safety or fudge room to play with. With dual overflows though you may be able to increase the return rate.

 

[blackx-runner]

Sounds about right to me also. What kind of drains are you running? You can tune the drains so they run slower, or pump water through the system faster. But IMO theres not a reason to flow water through a sump that fast. You need to give the skimmer and other filtration time to process the water.
But like stated you want a little "safety factor" on the water height. If a drain plugs up on an already high running water level and you could have a flood on your hands.

 

[AZDesertRat]

You don't want to restrict the drains, always leave them wide open or you risk a flood. Exceptions are where you have a redundant drain but most of us dont have that.

 

[Nemoose]

I agree the level you are running sounds about right. But, you can rasie the overflows or increase your return rate to raise the level.

 

[islander84]

This is absolutely correct-----just dont add too much return flow or it will fill faster than it can drain.....

I agree the level you are running sounds about right. But, you can rasie the overflows or increase your return rate to raise the level.