my wet dry is about to make me sell the whole tank

[cyacop]

title says it all

[wiscsaltwater]

not really, whats the problem?

[BeesGoneWild]

Any specific reason why? Theres a lot of us on here that could help.

[cyacop]

i just put this in. i am extremely frustrated. if i had known what a pain in the *** this is i would have went a different route. water levels fluctuate greatly in the sump. i tried adjusting the pump flow valve and it popped off the pump which has made water go EVERYWHERE . and now the valve that popped off is under the bioballs in a chamber i cannot reach.

[wiscsaltwater]

try an inline ball valve, oh and lose the bio balls.

[cyacop]

what is wrong with bio balls ? and i can get an inline ball valve but i will have to get a new pump to go with it because the valve keeps popping out of it.

[wiscsaltwater]

bio balls are nitrate factories and arent all that good for saltwater.

[cyacop]

ok. the pump is a rio 2100. it has a removable flow adj. valve. very cheap looking. i took it off the pump and i clamped the output hose directly to the top of the pump. i am going to home depot and getting an inline ball valve. is this going to also help me with my fluctuation in my sump water levels ?

[seapug]

the bioballs are a different issue.

sounds like the problem you are having is with the return pump. Can you tell us more about it? Brand? GPH? How it's connected? Is the water level constantly going up and down? What kind of overflow are you using?

[cyacop]

ok. but you have to clue me in on what to replace them with. lol. this is a newbie section. :)

[seapug]

so that's a 692 GPH pump....what kind of overflow? Most single pipe overflows are rated for 600 gph. That might be your problem.

[cyacop]

rio 2100 pump. it pumps 2630 lph

[cyacop]

it is a single pipe over flow. if i got a valve and turned down the flow would that help?

[Sirhog66]

get a mag drive and put a ball valve between it and the tank on the return line

[wiscsaltwater]

i have a ball valave on both my return and my overflow line, it makes it really easy, takes me about 5 minutes to tweak them to perfect.

as for the bio balls, they are ok for now but in time they get packed with nitrates, just replace them with live rock rubble.

[cyacop]

ok. if i replace them with live rock will i not need to install lights (if so what type) and a timer for lights ? remember i am super green

[wiscsaltwater]

with just live rock its not necessary, people put live rock in canisters that are completely sealed. If your going to put some cheato algea which is a good thing, then your going to need a cheap light on it with a timer set to run opposite your main tank lights.

[seapug]

2630 l/ph = 692 gph. That pump is too powerful for a typical single pipe overlfow. I'm willing to bet that's the source of your problem.

Get a pump rated at less than 600 gph and you won't need to deal with ball valves and pipes flying off. Use powerheads for more flow in the display. And pull out the bioballs.

[cyacop]

thanks for all your help. i am feeling better about things already. i already went and got the valve so i will try it for the week end and see how it goes. then maybe look into another pump. thanks again guys