Sump water level

[dugthefish]

Simple two chamber sump, single over/under baffle from main chamber to return chamber. What could cause a rise in main chamber water level without affecting the return chamber level?

For some unknown reason the main chamber has decided to run high enough that I can no longer use my skimmer.....

 

[Goodair]

Your 1st chamber water level is rising, but your second hasn't? That doesn't sound right. Is this happening when you are turning on the return pump or way later on?

 

[lvsuckerfish]

Maybe the return pump is pumping faster than the water draining from the DT. What size tank, what size over flows, what size sump and what size Pump for the return?

Did the water level in the Display also change? Is it a little higher than before?

 

[Luno]

Maybe the return pump is pumping faster than the water draining from the DT. What size tank, what size over flows, what size sump and what size Pump for the return?

Did the water level in the Display also change? Is it a little higher than before?

Sound advice and thoughts!

To add do you have any filter media between baffles or anything? May be clogging and restricting more than normal.

 

[dugthefish]

125 with EMS BA overflow, 30g sump, Waveline 12k return pump. Display seems unaffected, but a 2" rise in sump is probably like 1/2" or less in DT. Water level in overflow box is unchanged, I'd hear it if there was a difference. Coarse sponge in baffle area that is regularly rinsed. Second chamber is actually a bit lower, as I dropped the ATO sensor a bit to raise salinity.

This happened a few weeks ago when I did a 25g water change, but since I had my skimmer turned off it wasn't a big deal. Now that I want to run it again, I can't. Total system volume should be the same, as I filled tank just up to minimum overflow level, then filled sump to max (as I've always done).

 

[Luno]

125 with EMS BA overflow, 30g sump, Waveline 12k return pump. Display seems unaffected, but a 2" rise in sump is probably like 1/2" or less in DT. Water level in overflow box is unchanged, I'd hear it if there was a difference. Coarse sponge in baffle area that is regularly rinsed. Second chamber is actually a bit lower, as I dropped the ATO sensor a bit to raise salinity.

This happened a few weeks ago when I did a 25g water change, but since I had my skimmer turned off it wasn't a big deal. Now that I want to run it again, I can't. Total system volume should be the same, as I filled tank just up to minimum overflow level, then filled sump to max (as I've always done).

Remove sponge filter is my bet man, it's restricting water flow slightly making the chamber higher or swap with a less dense filter pad, but filter pad will always restrict flow somewhat

 

[lvsuckerfish]

I agree the filter pad will restrict the flow some what. All depends on cleanliness of the pad as to how much the flow will be affected.

1. Remove the Filter see what happens with the flow first if no changes.

2. Adjust the flow on the return up or down to get levels where you need them.

This is where I would start first.

 

[dugthefish]

I will try that tonight. Come to think of it, I replaced that sponge with a new one several weeks ago. They were both coarse, but the old one was pretty worn out. Thanks for the tips.