Water level in sump suddenly changed

[DmitryB]

I'm sitting here minding my own business, suddenly my overflow (IM 170 INT) starts gargling. I'm like "That's annoying" I look at the sump and the water level in the first chamber (I haver rollers there) has risen. Anybody have any idea what could have happened? I opened the valve more and the gurgling stopped, but the water level in the first sump chamber is high. I was thinking could something have clogged the regular drain? I have snails crawling into the overflow chamber all the time. I'm sure I haven't caught all of them. What else could have happened?

 

[mcarroll]

I'm sitting here minding my own business, suddenly my overflow (IM 170 INT) starts gargling. I'm like "That's annoying" I look at the sump and the water level in the first chamber (I haver rollers there) has risen. Anybody have any idea what could have happened? I opened the valve more and the gurgling stopped, but the water level in the first sump chamber is high. I was thinking could something have clogged the regular drain? I have snails crawling into the overflow chamber all the time. I'm sure I haven't caught all of them. What else could have happened?

What you said is a good guess – have you gone in to investigate yet?

 

[DmitryB]

Hard to investigate! The overflow is up against the wall and I can only reach so far back. I got a flexible pipe cleaner thingy and I got that in and it got as far as the bend in the pipe, but not sure what's happening beyond that. This is a Bean Animal overflow. If there's a snail in there, it would be in the vertical pipe going down. I'm not sure if it's safe for me to remove the horizontal piece to try to clean the vertical PVC. I'd be doing all this blind, mind you. Just by touch.

 

[mcarroll]

Hard to investigate! The overflow is up against the wall and I can only reach so far back. I got a flexible pipe cleaner thingy and I got that in and it got as far as the bend in the pipe, but not sure what's happening beyond that. This is a Bean Animal overflow. If there's a snail in there, it would be in the vertical pipe going down. I'm not sure if it's safe for me to remove the horizontal piece to try to clean the vertical PVC. I'd be doing all this blind, mind you. Just by touch.

That sounds like a terrible drain design – overly complicated – I'm sorry you're stuck troubleshooting it....doesn't sound fun.

Someone will probably chime in who can help more, but from your description it sounds like you're on the right track.

 

[UncommonSense]

I look at the sump and the water level in the first chamber (I haver rollers there) has risen. Anybody have any idea what could have happened? I opened the valve more and the gurgling stopped, but the water level in the first sump chamber is high

I’m confused…

Hard to investigate! The overflow is up against the wall and I can only reach so far back. I got a flexible pipe cleaner thingy and I got that in and it got as far as the bend in the pipe, but not sure what's happening beyond that. This is a Bean Animal overflow. If there's a snail in there, it would be in the vertical pipe going down. I'm not sure if it's safe for me to remove the horizontal piece to try to clean the vertical PVC. I'd be doing all this blind, mind you. Just by touch.

Are we dealing with the overflow box having a high water line? Or are we dealing with the drain chamber of the sump having a high water line?

If the former, and opening the primary drain valve fully hasn’t blown any clogs through to correct the issue, the primary drain pipe in the overflow box is usually just friction fit on, and can often just be pulled straight out for service! (Note that this will immediately drain your overflow box’s water into the sump, so ensure you have reserve sump volume before pulling pipes!)

If the latter, how’s the water level in the other chambers of the sump? — Right where it’s supposed to be? Or also higher than normal?


(Also note that you can use a small vanity mirror or similar to get a good look inside your overflow box without having to stick your whole head back there!)

 

[Jimbo327]

check for blockage in overflow. and then check your return pump.

 

[Marc G-L]

You can take shots use you cell phone camera at a few different angles with some over head light to visualize down deeper. Another alternative is these relatively cheap fiber optic scopes that attach to cell phones. You can direct it down pipes to look for vermitids, sponges, snails etc.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I bought a bore scope on Amazon. On sale for a cheap one around $26 to check breaks on all my tow trucks for my business. I’m amazed how well it’s worked to get in on the rotor and check pads.

Personally I’d pick one up and stick it down the pipe to see. Ultimately it sounds like maybe something clogged it or the filter roller did not advance and caused a possible back up?

 

[exnisstech]

How far did you have to open the valve? I have to tweak all of mine every so often. I've never been able to keep a perfectly consistent level in my sump running fleece rollers. I just set the ATO sensor so it triggers just before the roller advances and that works for me. I have my ATO sensor in the return chamber.
No snails in my overflow, that sounds like an accident waiting to happen. I keep lids on them all so nothing that doesn't fit though the weir can get in.