Sump with low level of water in the pump compartment

[iago0502]

Hi, I'm just starting out in marine aquarism and I've been reading a lot about it. I decided to build a marine aquarium, I bought a 60x40x40 display with a back sump (8 cm), I bought a pump of 660,43 gal (2500 liters) per hour, im using a strong pump to do not use circulation pump. However, I filled it with water and when testing, I notice that not enough water falls to keep a pump submerged in the last compartment, this happens even when I reduce the power of the pump to the minimum as possible. If anyone can enlighten me, it will be a great help. Thanks to everyone.

-video of my back sump


and a photo of the water flow from the display to the sump

 

[LuizW13]

I can’t see the video, but from what it sounds like, all you have to do is add more saltwater to the aquarium until the water level in the return chamber reaches where you want.

 

[Ramdude4G]

Your drain can't keep up with the pump. You need to either enlarge your drain, or add a second drain, or get a smaller pump.

 

[Ramdude4G]

But hard to say without seeing what the whole system is doing.

 

[SDK]

Did you try adding more water? That will often do the trick.

 

[iago0502]

First, thanks for everyone. Unfortunately whenever I add more water, the display overflows... and I don't believe it's due to the power of the pump since I can regulate the flow of it. Anyway, posting a photo that show the level of the water....

 

[vetteguy53081]

Slow down pump flow. Generally when pump is moving water faster than it can come in (return) - you will have a low level

 

[Twoddler]

Same as the rest, sounds like your pumping the water faster than it can return

 

[iago0502]

Yeah, I already reduced to the less as possible (179,64 gal or 680 liters) but still not enough water to submerge the pump.

 

[homer1475]

How does water flow from compartment to compartment? From the video, it looks like just little slits? Or does water flow over and under the dividers?

Seems like water is being slowed down between compartments, and not getting to the pump fast enough. As others have said, your pumping water faster then it's coming into the "sump".

 

[iago0502]

the water flows through a gap of approximately 3 cm, and go up through this glass until the water falls

 

[homer1475]

Can you make a video of how the water flows through the chambers?

I'm thinking that gap may not be big enough for the pump, do the chambers fill up, and only the return pump chamber stays low, or are they all low?

 

[homer1475]

So there are 4 chambers in the rear sump?

Intake(the grates) section, small 3cm slit, into second chamber, over into third, then over into 4 fourth(return chamber).

I'm trying to picture how this works.

 

[iago0502]

So there are 4 chambers in the rear sump?

Intake(the grates) section, small 3cm slit, into second chamber, over into third, then over into 4 fourth(return chamber).

I'm trying to picture how this works.

Yeah, i made a video to show all the system of the sump

 

[iago0502]

Can you make a video of how the water flows through the chambers?

I'm thinking that gap may not be big enough for the pump, do the chambers fill up, and only the return pump chamber stays low, or are they all low?

only the return pump chamber stays low...

 

[Uncle99]

What’s going down the overflow, is not as much as what’s going up the return in terms of water volume, that will certainly cause the return section to run too low.

Id open up the maximum volume in my overflows until the gurgle, once you hear that then your overflows are maxed out.

Now add water to your return to water ever run mark you have, or ATO if your using that.

Plus, a stated above, if there are too many or too tight restrictions in your sump, (say like a sponge trap) this adds again to the problem. The only sump restriction I have is socks.

At this point your return should stay level, you’ll need just to adjust your overflow gate valves to silence them.

 

[iago0502]

I'll do what you said, I really hope it works. Thanks so much for helping me. Soon I will give the feedback about what happened

 

[Uncle99]

Return flows can be a bit frustrating when getting balanced.
Keep us posted.