Water not flowing into sump fast enough.

[ncholakis]

Water seems to not being flowing into my sump fast enough and coming back into the display causing display to overflow. I have totally rebuilt the return line thinking there was a clog in the line but nothing. I have a reef octopus varios 2 on the lowest setting and still putting too much water in the display. Please help thank you

 

[Rakie]

You said you cleaned the overflow, but I would run a snake through the overflow downtubes. You don't say if you have a regular overflow or an external one, that could help

 

[OutsideBrian]

Pictures of your drain and return lines might help. Could you put a gate valve on your return essentially slowing it down more.

 

[ncholakis]

I actually replaced the rerun line altogether I have a regular overflow. Working on getting pictures now I am not currently home, do u mean slowing down flow going back into the tank?

 

[Rakie]

I actually replaced the rerun line altogether I have a regular overflow. Working on getting pictures now I am not currently home, do u mean slowing down flow going back into the tank?

I was more wondering if you changed, say, most of the hard line.. But didn't clean/change out the actual overflow within the tank/overflow box itself. That could be where the clog/plug is, could be a snail shell or something.

Otherwise you may need to get a smaller return pump. I could be wrong, but as far as I know, DC return pumps don't like being regulated (slowed down with a gate valve). I "believe" it's hard on the motor and will prematurely wear out the pump.

 

[ncholakis]

I was more wondering if you changed, say, most of the hard line.. But didn't clean/change out the actual overflow within the tank/overflow box itself. That could be where the clog/plug is, could be a snail shell or something.

Otherwise you may need to get a smaller return pump. I could be wrong, but as far as I know, DC return pumps don't like being regulated (slowed down with a gate valve). I "believe" it's hard on the motor and will prematurely wear out the pump.

Oh yes I changed the pvc pipe not the over flow box. As long as the valve isn’t too close to the pump it should be ok I believe.

 

[JoshH]

Oh yes I changed the pvc pipe not the over flow box. As long as the valve isn’t too close to the pump it should be ok I believe.

What type of overflow and drain setup do you have? Durso, herbie, Bean Animal?? HOB, Internal, external overflow? You said you replaced the return plumbing, did you replace your drain plumbing as well? What size is all your plumbing? Return and drain sizes please:)

 

[ncholakis]

1 1/2 inch PVC down to the house to the filter sock skinner in that chamber the refugium and then last chamber return pump and my pumps for chiller and reactor

 

[Flippers4pups]

Where's this at? Under your tank? Drain lines?

 

[That Reefer Man]

looks like drain line is too restricted, it should be larger coming down from aquarium

 

[ncholakis]

The one on the left is drain right is going back to the tank.. so bigger hose?

 

[JoshH]

So to add to what's been said just above. It looks like your Durso drain is just too small to handle the flow coming from your Varios. Your Drain line only looks to be 1/2" under the stand (Circled in Yellow) going from the 1 1/2" in the overflow (Circled in Orange). 1/2" Only supports a VERY small amount of gravity drain flow. So yes, upgrading the hose circled in yellow will help you greatly. Once you do this you will have to adjust your drain but it should solve your issue. And to add what's been said much earlier is restricting your DC pump with a valve is not a good idea at all:)

 

[BadFish619]

Definitely need the intake to be bigger than the return

 

[ncholakis]

Thank you so much everyone for all your help and quick responses. Great community here thank you again