Help with new 180 Gal set up

[bolter]

I am working on setting up a 180 gal saltwater tank. I filled the tank tonight and added the salt. I am using a wet/dry filter system. The question I have is in the sump what is the water level suppose to be? Are the bio-balls in water or just have water running over them? I also have a problem with the pump. It seems that the pump is pumping more water than is entering the tank. I have 2 1" siphon tubes that drop into the sump. I even drilled more holes in the plate so I can move more water. When I turn on the pump it starts to overfill my tank. The water leaves the sump goes past a 1" ball valve through the pump past a 1" check valve up the back of the tank where it is tees off to 2 3/4" lines that go into the tank. The 3/4" line have ball valves as well and I now have to close the at lease half way. When I place my hand in front of the flow nozzles there does not seem to be a lot of flow. I am concern that I am not cylcling enough gallons per hour. Any advice or links to more info would be great. Thanks again

Don
Las Vegas

[Marc118]

Sounds like your overflow/stand pipes cant keep up with the return pump? I think thats you are getting at. What GPH is the pump rated at? Your turnover doesnt have to be all in the sump, you can get some PH's or a closed loop to add to it as well.

[bolter]

The pump is rated at 1800 gpm. Hoever I am lifting 5.5' and that drops it to 1200 gpm. Do I need to add another overflow pipe? I will be getting power heads as well, how many do you think I need. I just was not sure if I am filtering enough water per hour.

[chase33]

You might want to get a pump that turns over less water per hour or run a tee from you return line back into the sump. You can control this flow with a ball valve.

[Marc118]

You mean GPH? Im not sure about the math to calculate pipe size and GPH to see what you are putting into the sump. Is there just 1 return?

[bolter]

Marc118,

There is a 1" return that tees off to 2 3/4" lines on each side of the tank. From there it 90's down into tthe tank and goes from 3/4" PVC to flex knuckle pipe Y's to two spray heads.

[Marc118]

According to some math a 1.43" pipe will do 1200gph, so your return pump must be doing more than 1200gph. Whats the make/model?

[melosu58]

Moving to SW getting started.

[bolter]

The pump is a Magnetetic Drive Utility Submersible pump Model 18 1800 GPH. I am lifting ~5.5 feet of head. Today I went to the LFS where I bought it and they gave me a 1200 GPH pump and said try that with the ball valves full open. Well I did and it was about the same, I still have to close the valves a little. Whee does the skimmer box have to be? I have it as low as possible because I do not want the water level too high. Any other ideas...

[chase33]

I would Tee it off back into the sump (the return section).