Sump problem- help asap please

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
S

strollo22

Siamese Tiger
MFK Member
May 21, 2012
5,786
15
38
38
Datnoid Island
Didn't see a sticky on this so I figured I'd ask. I'm new to sumps so bare with me. The problem I'm having is that it appears that I'm losing drainage. I have a 300 gallon tank with 2 1" holes drilled in each corner. 1 return and 1 drain with a durso pipe on each side. The sump is a 50 gallon wet/dry with an external pump rated at 1744 gph at 0' head that is "t'ed" of with a ball valve to return to the main tank. I don't have it open all the way since the pump is a bit more than the 1" overflows will drain. The problem I'm having is every few days the pump will suck all the water from the sump and start sucking air and I have to adjust the ball valve to pump less water out to fix it. What's causing this to happen? How can it run fine one one setting for a few days and then it doesn't? I hope this makes sense. Thanks for all your help


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Sounds like pump is working faster than the overflows could drain the water into sump. You will have to adjust the valve slightly. It may take time before you get it right. I ran into a problem like that once


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Could you just be losing water to evaporation and fish splashes? The water level in my wet/dry filter drops every day. Last night I added water to the main tank to raise the water in the sump about 3". If we're going to be gone for a week, I raise the water level in the sump to submerge the bioballs. After a water change, I raise the water in the sump a couple of inches over the recommended level so I don't have to keep adding water/checking it.
 
^ I thought about that as well but I usually go about an inch above my max fill line after a water change (which I did Thursday night). When it started doing it this morning, I just gave it a little turn and then it returned to my actual max fill line which means it only dropped an inch. I'm thinking of plugging the overflows lol


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
I occasionally have a similar problem with the overflow skimmer on my 180.I have to draw the air through the check valve a few times to get the cycle flowing normally but you said you don't have overflows so I don't know what the problem is with your system.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom