I love sumps, But I am FED up

I love running a sump for all the obvious reasons.
But I am TIRED of adjusting my gate valve every day.

Some mornings it will be totally fine and I come home from work and the sump is practically overflowing.

Also, every time I shut the ball valves to change a filter sock, I flip the valves back on but the water levels become wayyy off and ultimately i have to adjust the gate valve to compensate.

Is there any way to fix this so i only have to top off water when it evaporate? or If you run a sump expect constant valve adjustments and potential overflows?

zukiGS500 said:

You need to explain or show pictures of what type of overflow setup you have before anyone can help you.

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Sorry, It is a reef-ready 180 gallon with two corner overflows.

I tried two different ways.
1. Just a straight pipe with a strainer at full siphon
2. 180* U tube (open pipe, no strainer)

Pomatomus said:

Where are these valves you're talking about? You're not just overfilling the sump, right?

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The ball valve and gate valve are attached to the pump. I'm not overfilling the sump, the level is constantly varying

DN328 said:

To clarify, you mentioned both gate valve and ball valve - which one is on the (durso?) drain pipe? Do you one ball valve for one drain and the ball vale in the other drain in the second overflow?

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I have a ball valve on each drain pipe. And a ball valve and gate valve on each return/pump side.

Redearsunfish said:

Do you have an overflow box? Your sump should be able to hold the full volume of the overflow box. Sounds like you need a stronger return pump.

Oh and watch out for a reverse drain on the loc line. keep that just below the surface and drill a siphon break hole it it.

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Its a drilled tank, so no overflow box. The pumps are magdrive 18 and 24 so they are dialed back a lot. it is definitely not weak pumps.

I have check valves off both my pumps as well to compensate for any siphoning should the power go out. The drill hole sounds like a good idea for the bottom of my 180* Pipe to break the siphon sooner, thank you!