Ronald Marcelo
Aquarium Advice Activist
How big is your sump?
24 gallons
How big is your sump?
Don't bother with a ball valve on the return. Why people are suggesting that is unclear to me, but you need to fill that last return section up so the pump is submerged. It will not overflow the main tank. Restricting the flow is not going to do anything, except slow the flow to your sump. The levels will not change.
Yeah the water is going through the sump, bio ball, refugium and sponge back to the return pump. The flow is moving too slow through the sump to keep the pump submerged fully. He says he filled with water and the back chamber fills up in the sump. So if you restrict your return water it will give the front chamber time to fill up instead of staying half full.
This sounds like either the drain from the overflow has a problem or the return pump is just to large. Yu need to use the largest drain tube from the overflow to the sump that the bulkhead can handle. If it's a 1" bulkhead for the drain line you want to have 1" tubing to drain into the sump and it should be as unobstructed as possible.
If the drain is setup properly then the return pump may just be to large. That could overwhelm your overflow. That's why people are recommending you divert some of the return flow back into the sump.
The leak is a serious issue. Don't try to fix it with flex seal or anything else. Just replace the bulkhead or if the system is new call the manufacturer and ask for a replacement if slight hand tightening doesn't stop the leak. If the bulkhead is threaded you may have just forgot to use Teflon tape at the connection. If it's a slip fitting you need to use aquarium safe PVC sealant to connect the pipe.
I would kill both pumps (return and skimmer) fill sump to a few inches below the brim, and turn both pumps back on. Mark the level in the return chamber. That would be the working water level. As long as the pump is submerged go with it. Top off as necessary and be done with micro bubbles.
Exactly! Can we post vids?
There should not be anything in your sump design to restrict water flow. Remove whatever is doing that.
I'm not real sure if you can post a video or not but will probably help a lot. You can upload it to YouTube and post the link though
Ronald Marcelo said:I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks!
Well, honestly the best thing I can suggest is to get a good book on reef tanks. I know online resources are great but having a step by step guide to all the basics with pictures! is a great thing to have on hand. YouTube also has a lot of fairly useful how to vids.
Reading is great for saltwater. I like mr saltwater as well. I get his emails every now and then. I find the best info is sites like this and local reef sites. I'm a member of two local clubs and here of course and the peopl have so much experience. I'd say to ask any question you can come up with. The only stupid question is the one not asked.
The good thing about local forums is you can usually find equipment and stock for cheap locally
Yep it's terrible advice Tuesday and his Friday tips. There is so much equipment on local forums it's crazy. I look through them often to find that great deal on something I don't need. I think I'm addicted....
What kinda sand are you using?