Need sump help please!!!

[Slim2634]

I just set up my 180 with about a 30 gallon sump. Eventually I would like to upgrade it to about a 55-75 gallon but it will do for now. How do I keep the water level in the sump constant? I use a ball valve but its either too open and it overflows or its too constricted and the pump sucks up a bunch of air and causes tons of bubbles in my tank. There has to be some trick to this.

 

[Slim2634]

Can anyone help me make a overflow type thing out of a 1.5 inch threaded bulkhead?

 

[BadOleRoss]

What size pump are you using? What are you using to get the water into the sump? In a nutshell, the water in your tank should be a constant and the sump will drop slowly due to evaporation. Your pump feeds the tank, the tank overflows into the sump. If you are draining the sump, your pump is too large for your overflows. You will need to do 1 of 3 things. Get a smaller pump, increase the size of the overflow feeding the sump, or place a "T" in the return line so part of the water goes to the tank, and part goes back into the sump. Personally, I like options 1 and 2. I hate those "T" things.
Is you tank drilled for bulhead fittings already?

 

[Burko]

"Can anyone help me make a overflow type thing out of a 1.5 inch threaded bulkhead?"

Just plumb up to the desired _tank_ water height, add an open T join and then back down to the sump.

Something similar to this...

 

[gomezladdams]

Somethings not right.Sounds like your overflow is acting as a siphon.You shouldnt have to control it with a valve.Please post a photo of the setup and Im sure someone can help you out.

 

[Slim2634]

I don't have overflows, just two bulkheads with strainers screwed directly into them. This could be the issue. I plan on making an overflow type thing with 2 90s this weekend and hopefully that will help. The pump is only draining the sump because I have the drains turned down so low. But any more flow overflows the sump and water gets everywhere. I think my overflow idea will work, its just a pain to find threaded black pvc 90's.

 

[jcardona1]

you have a valve on your drain lines? if so, that is your problem. simple physics. the amount of water overflowing down into your sump needs to match what your pump is pushing.

by closing down your overflows with a valve the flows dont match and youre having problems. open the valves all the way and the problem will be solved.

 

[Griller]

Could you post some pictures of your setup? That would make help easier.

 

[jcardona1]

But any more flow overflows the sump and water gets everywhere.

this doesnt sound right. are your overflows sitting at water level, or are they several inches below the surface? if the holes are below the surface, then you need a pipe pointing straight up to where you want your water level.

this will cause the water to "overflow" into the pipes, drain into the sump, then be pumped back. it's a constant cycle.

this statement leads me to believe you have some bulkheads in the middle of the tank, or several inches below the water level. if you dont have a pipe pointing up like i said, the water will continue to drain until you the water level reaches this point. by that time you will have flooded your sump

 

[Slim2634]

this doesnt sound right. are your overflows sitting at water level, or are they several inches below the surface? if the holes are below the surface, then you need a pipe pointing straight up to where you want your water level.

this will cause the water to "overflow" into the pipes, drain into the sump, then be pumped back. it's a constant cycle.

this statement leads me to believe you have some bulkheads in the middle of the tank, or several inches below the water level. if you dont have a pipe pointing up like i said, the water will continue to drain until you the water level reaches this point. by that time you will have flooded your sump

Yes. I'll take care of this asap! Will it take care of the sump flow problem? Also are there any strainers that screw into pvc that aren't super long? That would certainly make things easier. Also do you know of a good online website to buy black plumbing?