I'm in the process of setting up my first saltwater tank. It's a 60 Gal cube with a custom 20G High as a sump. I'm finally at the stage of leak testing my plumbing. However, I can't get it to maintain a consistent water level in the overflow box.
I'm using a Herbie overflow and can't seem to match the drain rate to the return rate, thus causing the water level to fluctuate in the overflow box. Because of the small footprint inside of the stand and that I'm using a 20G High for a sump, in order to not have to reach far back to empty the skimmer/change out filter socks, I have it running front to back instead of (what seems like) the more common side-to-side configuration. From my research, it seems like having horizontal sections in your drain pipes is not ideal as it can make it hard to get a full siphon going for the main drain. Could that be why I'm seeing issues?
Here's my setup - Going left -> right is the return, emergency drain, and main drain.
I also only have about an inch between the top of the main drain bulkhead to the emergency drain, whereas I've seen something closer to 6" is ideal. Not much I can do about that with how the tank is drilled though (Tank is used and was already drilled).
Another question: I've heard that you must have your main drain outlet submerged in the sump in order to establish a full siphon. I don't have the space in the sump to set up an overflow into a filter sock, so in order to use a filter sock, I'd have to have the drain outlet stop above the filter sock (thus not submerged). Is there another way that I'm not thinking of to fix that problem? Or is it ok to have your main drain end above the water in the sump?
I appreciate any help.
I'm using a Herbie overflow and can't seem to match the drain rate to the return rate, thus causing the water level to fluctuate in the overflow box. Because of the small footprint inside of the stand and that I'm using a 20G High for a sump, in order to not have to reach far back to empty the skimmer/change out filter socks, I have it running front to back instead of (what seems like) the more common side-to-side configuration. From my research, it seems like having horizontal sections in your drain pipes is not ideal as it can make it hard to get a full siphon going for the main drain. Could that be why I'm seeing issues?
Here's my setup - Going left -> right is the return, emergency drain, and main drain.
I also only have about an inch between the top of the main drain bulkhead to the emergency drain, whereas I've seen something closer to 6" is ideal. Not much I can do about that with how the tank is drilled though (Tank is used and was already drilled).
Another question: I've heard that you must have your main drain outlet submerged in the sump in order to establish a full siphon. I don't have the space in the sump to set up an overflow into a filter sock, so in order to use a filter sock, I'd have to have the drain outlet stop above the filter sock (thus not submerged). Is there another way that I'm not thinking of to fix that problem? Or is it ok to have your main drain end above the water in the sump?
I appreciate any help.