Waterbox Sump Question

[hobbyreefer]

I just emailed Waterbox support a question about maintaining proper water level in my new Waterbox Peninsula 6026, but I thought I would also post here:

I'm having issues where my Tunze ATO is running too much. My hypotheses is the sponge between my skimmer chamber and my return pump chamber is restricting too much water, but any feedback would be appreciated. Here's what I sent to Waterbox.

I purchased a Waterbox Peninsula 6026 in November and I’m having trouble maintaining proper water level in my sump. I need some help troubleshooting.

I have a Tunze Osmolator 3155 ATO with the sensor in then return chamber. The ATO water line is ran to the top of the display tank.

This morning, I noticed my ATO dumped ~4 gallons too much water in the tank. The water in the skimmer department was very high (almost overflowing), but the water in the return pump section was correct. I think maybe the sponge was restricting water flow, but it looked mostly clean to me. Are there any videos or manuals for how the sump should flow? I’ve never been confident that I have this part right and that all of the water levels are correct? How can I trouble shoot? Here are some pictures:

Just in case you can’t see the pictures too well, I’ll try to describe the setup:

The water level in my overflow is almost at the top. It stops just at the top of the return pipe.

Water flows into the sump and fills up the first chamber (where the pvc pipes are).

Water then flows into the filter sock departments. I’ve removed all socks for troubleshooting.

Water then flows into the refugium. The gate is all the way down. Nothing in the Fuge section except for a single marine pure brick.

Water then flows to the skimmer section. Water level here is ~10.5 inches.

Water then flows through he sponge (removed) and into the return pump section. This is where I have my ATO. Water level in this section is about 8 inches.

Several times, the water level in the skimmer section rises to 13-14 inches but the water level in the return pump section stays at 8 inches. Is this most likely an issue with the sponge?

 

[dragon99]

Your biggest problem is that there's not an immediate response from the water input to the sensor. There will always be a lag as the overflow adjusts to the increased water flow from the ATO before that extra water makes it into the sump (and the last chamber of the sump at that).

The sponge does seems to restrict flow from the skimmer chamber into the return pump chamber which is further delaying the ATO shutoff. I turned mine so that some water flows unrestricted into the return chamber.

 

[steelwrap]

After having this issue mutiple times on my 100.3 i finally just removed the sponge. Havent noticed any negatives "yet"

 

[S.Pepper]

I've never used the sponge supplied by Waterbox. I haven't noticed any issues. I've held on to it, but not sure why. ;Hilarious I would figure the sponge is getting clogged and restricting flow. I'd dump it.

 

[hobbyreefer]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'll leave the sponge out a few days and see if this issue continues.

 

[DatsoonDave]

Your biggest problem is that there's not an immediate response from the water input to the sensor. There will always be a lag as the overflow adjusts to the increased water flow from the ATO before that extra water makes it into the sump (and the last chamber of the sump at that).

The sponge does seems to restrict flow from the skimmer chamber into the return pump chamber which is further delaying the ATO shutoff. I turned mine so that some water flows unrestricted into the return chamber.

Hello. I have a 90x water box and I just have the top off dump into the sump where the skimmer is. Probably less delay, more immediate reaction to the top off sensor perhaps. I don't have a tunze but I bet that will help the delay factor .