How to lower tank surface level?

[Pazzoman]

I hope this is an easy fix,

I noticed that my surface level of the tank is so high that it touches the glass canpoies on my tank....when I reach in the tank to grab stuff I have to monitor the tank for an over flow.

I'm assuming I would have to adjust the over flow box?

Any tips will be greatly appreciated thanks

 

[RedDwarf]

There are two ways in which to accomplish what you want, one would be to lower the intake of the overflow box if possible and the other way would be to throttle back the return from your pump. Without knowing how your filter is setup I would just put a valve on your return line to reduce the flow to get the results your looking for.

 

[Pig8enis]

Or another option is a second drain. You could also install an emergency system like a water level sensor so your return shuts off at a certain height.

 

[nonstophoops]

What overflow are you using and with what pump?

I have been having water level issues with my return and cpr overflow as time has gone on due to coralline and hair algae(only place in my tank I have any algae) restricting flow. I have dialed my return back a ton and now made a make shift cover for it so light can't get in. I am hoping that will open it back up some.

 

[Jc1119]

The fix will depend on where the backup is.

Valving back the pump can work, but I personally like running mine wide open. If its the teeth of your box thats the hang up, then removing some or deepening(cutting) the teeth can help.

Adding a secondary drain can help if the drain won't handle the flow, but another option is to upsize your drain line , say like going from 1' up to 1 1/2". If you can add a secondary drain, the best way is to put a gate valve on the main line and run it "Herbie" style, which means the line is running at full siphon, therefore allowing NO air to enter the drain line. Full siphon drains can handle ALOT more flow than those with air.

Post up a bit more about your setup and we'll be able to figure out where the hangup is

 

[Pazzoman]

Hey everybody thanks for replies,

I think I found the solution,

In my 33 gallon sump:
(-----)____________________________________________(------)
I-------------I------------------------------------------------I---------I
I---Intake---I-------------------Refuge---------------------I-Return-I
I-------------I---I----------------------------------------I---I---------I
I-------------I---I----------------------------------------I---I---------I
I_____________I______________________________I__________I

----------------^ Foam-----------------------------------^Foam

The return area where it shows evaporating water was near the pump nozzle telling me I need water to replace the evaporated amount...

I ignored it because I figured I will do a water change today, so I removed both foams and the water in the the return rose to the marked level I have on my sump, thus make the the tank surface level be at a level I'm happy with.

The only problem is I keep the foams thier to hold my diamond goby in the refuge as he s very skinny and I monitor him in thier.

Here is what I think is the solution, after I take out the sump water for water change, I will add the foams in first then add water or vice versa? Any ideas? I think one of these is the solution.

(I = BAFFLES and ignore [------] had to use to keep picture right)

 

[nonstophoops]

I am not sure I am understanding the problem. I don't see a way the foam should have made the display tank level fall. If it was restricting flow too much the intake side of your sump would have continued to fill until it overflowed or the pump ran dry(unless you are saying it was that close that it was sucking air and not running at full flow rate).

If this was the case, I would leave the foam on the intake side out and just have the return side foam in. The worst that happens if the goby jumps into the intake side is you have to find him and potentially move him.

 

[Jc1119]

I am not sure I am understanding the problem. I don't see a way the foam should have made the display tank level fall. If it was restricting flow too much the intake side of your sump would have continued to fill until it overflowed or the pump ran dry(unless you are saying it was that close that it was sucking air and not running at full flow rate).

If this was the case, I would leave the foam on the intake side out and just have the return side foam in. The worst that happens if the goby jumps into the intake side is you have to find him and potentially move him.

Im confused as well.......unless the foam was throttling your pump back a bit

 

[Pazzoman]

It's hard t explain, however I will put the foam in the return side and see how it goes, thanks everyone for the tips will update if problem solved.