Water Level

[jordanrb]

How do i know if my water level is correct? I have a redsea desktop cube. My filtration doesnt seem to get the tiny particles out completely. I habe tried many suggestions but nothing is working. My skimmer not collecting that much along with my filter floss and sock leads me to beleive its possibly a water level issue whoch isnt allowing the filters and skimmer to work properly.

I have filter floss ontop of the filter sponge which is ontop the 250 sock which was recommended. I have the same filter setup ontop of the rear pump as well. Im using the redsea desktop skimmer that works with this system.

My water level is about 1¼ inch from the top in the main display whoch puts it about ½ inch from the bottom.of the surface skimmer going to the rear.

 

[Reef Jedi]

Can you take some photos, that will help us all see a little more what’s going on.

 

[jordanrb]

Can you take some photos, that will help us all see a little more what’s going on.

hard to tell but the water is just barely above the filter floss. About half inch above surface skimmer and 2½ inches below the top in the pump area.

 

[mmorrison55]

If water is entering the weir, then you are good. Your skimmer appears to be a bit high though. At least my nano skimmer that goes in my AIO tank sits a bit lower, but yours may sit different. Usually though they have some water level indicator on them.

 

[mmorrison55]

Also… how old is the tank and what all is in it. If there is not much of a bio load then the skimmer won’t be skimming much out.

 

[Idech]

Did you turn off the pumps for the picture ? It looks like there is no water agitation at all. That’s not good, you need it.

 

[jordanrb]

Did you turn off the pumps for the picture ? It looks like there is no water agitation at all. That’s not good, you need it.

I have a fairly high amount of surface agitation it just doesnt show in that picture.

 

[jordanrb]

Also… how old is the tank and what all is in it. If there is not much of a bio load then the skimmer won’t be skimming much out.

Its a few months old. My skimmer does get buildup. Is the skimmer whats supposed to clesr the tiny particles or would that be the filters?

 

[jordanrb]

If water is entering the weir, then you are good. Your skimmer appears to be a bit high though. At least my nano skimmer that goes in my AIO tank sits a bit lower, but yours may sit different. Usually though they have some water level indicator on them.

Its the skimmer made for the tank. It sits on a ledge that is including that compartment so I dont have an option to put it any lower

 

[mmorrison55]

Its the skimmer made for the tank. It sits on a ledge that is including that compartment so I dont have an option to put it any lower

Ok, and there’s no screw that can be loosened to adjust how it sits on the hanger? And is there a water level “here” indicator?

But the filter floss should be doing most of the water polishing. You can try to double it up or find a finer micron floss to remove smaller particles.

Something like:

Aquarium Polishing Pad 24x36 Cut-to-Fit for Crystal Clear Water | Aqua – Aquatic Experts

Polishing Filter Pad 50 Micron - Cut to Fit 24" by 36" - 1 Pack TRAPS FINE PARTICLES - Our 50 Micron Polishing Filter Pads’ dense fiber network traps large to very fine particles floating in your freshwater or saltwater aquarium to produce sparkling clear water. Its durable design allows this...

www.aquaticexperts.com

 

[jordanrb]

Ok, and there’s no screw that can be loosened to adjust how it sits on the hanger? And is there a water level “here” indicator?

But the filter floss should be doing most of the water polishing. You can try to double it up or find a finer micron floss to remove smaller particles.

Something like:

Aquarium Polishing Pad 24x36 Cut-to-Fit for Crystal Clear Water | Aqua – Aquatic Experts

Polishing Filter Pad 50 Micron - Cut to Fit 24" by 36" - 1 Pack TRAPS FINE PARTICLES - Our 50 Micron Polishing Filter Pads’ dense fiber network traps large to very fine particles floating in your freshwater or saltwater aquarium to produce sparkling clear water. Its durable design allows this...

www.aquaticexperts.com

Unfortunately there isnt. From the images I see on Redsea it is sitting in the correct spot. Seems like a very weird setup. The water flows through the surface skimmer hitting the side of the protein skimmer which coveres 75-80% of the length.

Is the filter floss supposed to be just under the surface?

The water level in the pump compartment is about an inch lower than MD. Is there a correct level?

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I would get rid of the Filter Floss, as it’s unneeded, and get a two pack of socks so you can swap the socks out every three to four days. The Biosponge goes in the pump chamber, just Squeeze it out in your discard water when doing water changes, also I recommend installing plastic grommet, on the sock, available on Amazon, so you don’t filter out every pod.

Amazon.com

 

[jordanrb]

I would get rid of the Filter Floss, as it’s unneeded, and get a two pack of socks so you can swap the socks out every three to four days. The Biosponge goes in the pump chamber, just Squeeze it out in your discard water when doing water changes, also I recommend installing plastic grommet, on the sock, available on Amazon, so you don’t filter out every pod.

Amazon.com

Ok i only added the floss as it was recommended to help get the fine particles. I will try going without

 

[Gone Reefin’]

Unfortunately there isnt. From the images I see on Redsea it is sitting in the correct spot. Seems like a very weird setup. The water flows through the surface skimmer hitting the side of the protein skimmer which coveres 75-80% of the length.

Is the filter floss supposed to be just under the surface?

The water level in the pump compartment is about an inch lower than MD. Is there a correct level?

There is no “correct” water level in the pump chamber, as long as the water level is comfortably submerging your pump. I like to run mine right about the weir level. You will notice this is likely the only compartment where the water level fluctuates. Will drop from evaporation, and replenish from top off.

 

[jordanrb]

There is no “correct” water level in the pump chamber, as long as the water level is comfortably submerging your pump. I like to run mine right about the weir level. You will notice this is likely the only compartment where the water level fluctuates. Will drop from evaporation, and replenish from top off.

Ok do you mean the weir from the middle protein skimmer compartment to the pump chamber?

I dont have an ATO. I have one on order. For now what is the best area to fill into? I did not realize the pump chamber should be so low. I always tried to keep it at the same level as the main display.

 

[Gone Reefin’]

Yes, that is the weir I am referring to. It’s ok if this chamber drops below the rest of the levels. I would not bring it much over that weir level, as this will likely raise the level of all chambers and possibly even your display.

 

[Gone Reefin’]

Sorry, did not answer your other question. Does not matter where you top off into, although I have always topped off into my heater chamber or return pump chamber. I would not top off into your skimmer chamber, as they are sensitive to level fluctuations.

Regardless of where you top off into, the only level that will change is the return pump chamber as long as the level in that chamber is below the weir.

 

[jordanrb]

Sorry, did not answer your other question. Does not matter where you top off into, although I have always topped off into my heater chamber or return pump chamber. I would not top off into your skimmer chamber, as they are sensitive to level fluctuations.

Regardless of where you top off into, the only level that will change is the return pump chamber as long as the level in that chamber is below the weir.

Ok thank you for the help! I definitely was running everything too high. I hope this is going to solve the particle issue in the water.