1st timer, setting up sump, having issues.....

H

hsanchez

New member
ok, so I got my sump all set up. And im having a few issues,

The water level in the return chamber of the sump is really low, if i have a little bit of evaporation, I start getting air bubbles, But if I add more water, when i turn the pump off the sump will over flow. :wacko (2):

Also, im getting a waterfall noise from the overflow, not too bad, but pretty loud. is there any way I can quiet it down?


Equipment
57g Oceanic Illuminata
Ehiem 1260 Return Pump
Aqueon Pro Flex sump

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Get a check valve for the sump return line, then when the pump shuts off the water won't flow back down.

As for the noise, a durso pipe like yours is supposed to be very quiet...
 
The waterfall noise could be caused by how low your durso is. It looks like the mega flow type so it has an extendable section to raise and lower it. If I remember the vent on the top should be only 1/4" to 1/2 below the black overflow.
 
RedDevil.258 said:
The waterfall noise could be caused by how low your durso is. It looks like the mega flow type so it has an extendable section to raise and lower it. If I remember the vent on the top should be only 1/4" to 1/2 below the black overflow.
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I agree with this, if you raise it it will raise the level in the overflow and stop the waterfall noise. Too prevent drain back from your return if it's not already there put a hole in the outlet (return pipe) just above/at the water level in the overflow. When you shut off the return it will break the siphon from the outlets and not let the tank drain back in to the sump.
 
Oh yea he did tee it off. I see it now.

Berto around that first 90 degree ell you need to make a small hole to break the siphon. If you raise you durso make sure this small hole is above the water level and pointed down because it will spray water out of this hole when you return pump is operating. Hope this helps!
 
cool, thanks, ill give it a try tonight when the little guy goes to sleep. i have a baby gate around the tank right now, if not he would have his hands in there, i really need to make my cabinet doors already!
 
could he also put a ball valve after the pump and just turn down the flow a little? I did that but I've never been sure how much extra wear it is putting on the pump.
 
Herbie said:
could he also put a ball valve after the pump and just turn down the flow a little? I did that but I've never been sure how much extra wear it is putting on the pump.
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He could but I have never been a real big fan of doing this. The only reason I would is to close it for cleaning.
 
Berto, you could look into an auto top-off. They are awesome and it will keep your water level above your return pump without getting a new sump or slowing down the flow out of the return pump.
 
yogoshio said:
If he puts in a check valve he can run more water in the sump so it won't backflow when he cuts the power....
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I knew there was a good reason...my brain is tired and didn't get that he would be raising the water level in the sump :)

What is your experience using check valves? I'd like to add one for this purpose but I've read in numerous places that they are bound to fail eventually. Do you use them?
 
do i have to take the durso out of the overflow to adjust? or can i do it with it in there? do i have to unscrew adjust and rescrew in? or does it just pull up?
 
If you get the wyre one, not the flip top, they are very reliable, but like anything else they can get clogged, so once a while you have to clean them. Another reason the wyre one is better because you can screw out the stopper.
 
U can also put a elbow on return pump so it sucks the water at lower level i had a similer problem pump was tall and water level wasnt super high so it sucked in air i put a 90 degree elbow and put on little angle so it didnt suck to the ground works great water has to get super low to get bubbles. Ato is a good buy to i notice a super Skimmer i run em also work best with steady water level.
 
hsanchez said:
So i tried to raise it, but it is blocked by the return

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Ok you can adjust it in the back. If you twist the durso to face the other direction will you clear the obstruction? Also, if you are thinking of a check valve you might need to look into PVC pipe instead of that vinyl tubing. The muffler will work but before you buy somthing see if you can work with what you have. ;)
 
RedDevil.258 said:
Ok you can adjust it in the back. If you twist the durso to face the other direction will you clear the obstruction? Also, if you are thinking of a check valve you might need to look into PVC pipe instead of that vinyl tubing. The muffler will work but before you buy somthing see if you can work with what you have. ;)
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Thanks for the advice, I wedged my hands in the and was able to raise the Durso! all is well now, as far as the siphon issue, I raised on of the return outlets alot closer to the top of the water, and as soon as the water level falls just a bit, it allows air in to stop the siphon. Thanks to everyone for their help problem solved.
 
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