Tank ready to overflow

bighead · 11/14/2017, 05:48 PM

I have a 90 gal RR tank with 40 gal sump I have been running this setup for a couple of years the water level in tank is getting higher and the sump level is getting lower what would cause this my pump is running good and there are no clogs anywhere in any pipe

JaySchulz · 11/14/2017, 06:01 PM

Is there a significant amount of algae buildup in the plumbing? This could effectively not allow as much flow.

Dmorty217 · 11/14/2017, 06:03 PM

Something is restricting the flow into the sump of the setup has been running for years

ROB2005 · 11/14/2017, 06:06 PM

Do you have a ball valve on the return? If so throttle down the flow so the so the flow going out is equal to the flow coming in. Be sure to check for clogs or any other type of buildup in your pipes.

bighead · 11/14/2017, 06:10 PM

I took everything apart today there was almost no build up in any of the pipes I cleaned everything up and put it back together

mcgyvr · 11/14/2017, 06:37 PM

What type of overflow is on this tank?
Got pictures?
How much has the level changed?
How fast is it changing?
Is the level staying consistent (just higher than it was) or is it just filling up and you need to turn it off?...

Give more specific details/behaviors on exactly whats happening,etc...

rocsec1 · 11/14/2017, 06:38 PM

Same return pump? Perhaps the flow from the pump has changed? If you aren’t using a valve to balance the flow I would suggest that.

bighead · 11/14/2017, 09:06 PM

I use a durso overflow
The level changes over a couple of days
The durso can handle way more gph than I am putting through it it is just a little odd that it is happening
I have tried all the suggestions I will see what happens in a couple of days
It sucks because my tank will overflow in the display but my sump will not overflow

Rover88 · 11/15/2017, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bighead

I use a durso overflow
The level changes over a couple of days
The durso can handle way more gph than I am putting through it it is just a little odd that it is happening
I have tried all the suggestions I will see what happens in a couple of days
It sucks because my tank will overflow in the display but my sump will not overflow

Something has to be happening to restrict the flow. Its physics, it can't /not/ be happening. Somewhere, something is restricting the flow more then it used to, or your pump is pushing more then it used to and the durso can't keep up. Water can't get up there otherwise!

My sump return pump area doesn't have enough water in it to overflow the tank; I designed the water level in that area to cause the pump to run 'dry' and cease pumping water before it'll put water on the floor. Its not a perfect fix, but its my last ditch avoid-a-flood protection. Ideally I'll never get there, but just in case...

Better to damage a pump then soak my apartment, in my mind.

Shamous113 · 11/15/2017, 07:18 AM

sounds like the pump is slowly increasing its speed after you set the flow on your drains. What pump are you running? how old is it? when was the last time you took it apart and cleaned it? also check for damage and fit on the impeller, shaft and bushings.

bighead · 11/15/2017, 08:15 AM

I run a Jaebo Dc 1200 for over a year I clean it pretty often once a month or do

Shamous113 · 11/15/2017, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bighead

I run a Jaebo Dc 1200 for over a year I clean it pretty often once a month or do

It could be a symptom of the power supply or controller dying, do you have a spare on hand? I know on the DCT1500 they increased the size of the power supply from 5amp to 6amp just after they came out. they were cooking power supplies.

crawlerman · 11/15/2017, 09:20 AM

Seems obvious, but did you clean out the teeth (for lack of a better term) on the overflow?

hkgar · 11/15/2017, 02:52 PM

Look, quite simply if the DT level is going up and the sump level down than more water is entering the DT than leaving the DT.

It's your job to figure out why. If your drain can, as you said, handle more flow, than if someone came and poured 20 gallons into your DT your sump would overflow, not the DT

ca1ore · 11/15/2017, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crawlerman

Seems obvious, but did you clean out the teeth (for lack of a better term) on the overflow?

Display level gradually rose in my last tank because coralline algae was slowly narrowing the slots in the weir.

11/14/2017, 05:48 PM	#1
bighead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 444	Tank ready to overflow I have a 90 gal RR tank with 40 gal sump I have been running this setup for a couple of years the water level in tank is getting higher and the sump level is getting lower what would cause this my pump is running good and there are no clogs anywhere in any pipe

11/14/2017, 06:03 PM	#3
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Something is restricting the flow into the sump of the setup has been running for years __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

11/14/2017, 06:06 PM	#4
ROB2005 Reefing Is My Passion! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 719	Do you have a ball valve on the return? If so throttle down the flow so the so the flow going out is equal to the flow coming in. Be sure to check for clogs or any other type of buildup in your pipes. __________________ If at first you don't succeed at reefing, break it down and set back up😁 Current Tank Info: 75 gallon corner overflow, 4-54W T-5 , dozen blue hermits, tiger pistol/yellow watchman goby, royal gramma, banghai and pajama cardinals

11/14/2017, 06:37 PM	#6
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	What type of overflow is on this tank? Got pictures? How much has the level changed? How fast is it changing? Is the level staying consistent (just higher than it was) or is it just filling up and you need to turn it off?... Give more specific details/behaviors on exactly whats happening,etc... __________________ Who me?

11/15/2017, 07:18 AM	#10
Shamous113 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 81	sounds like the pump is slowly increasing its speed after you set the flow on your drains. What pump are you running? how old is it? when was the last time you took it apart and cleaned it? also check for damage and fit on the impeller, shaft and bushings. __________________ Current tank: 150gal mixed reef display w/120gal basement sump

11/14/2017, 06:01 PM	#2
JaySchulz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 440	Is there a significant amount of algae buildup in the plumbing? This could effectively not allow as much flow.

11/14/2017, 06:10 PM	#5
bighead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 444	I took everything apart today there was almost no build up in any of the pipes I cleaned everything up and put it back together

11/14/2017, 06:38 PM	#7
rocsec1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Medina oh Posts: 1,782	Same return pump? Perhaps the flow from the pump has changed? If you aren’t using a valve to balance the flow I would suggest that.

11/14/2017, 09:06 PM	#8
bighead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 444	I use a durso overflow The level changes over a couple of days The durso can handle way more gph than I am putting through it it is just a little odd that it is happening I have tried all the suggestions I will see what happens in a couple of days It sucks because my tank will overflow in the display but my sump will not overflow

11/15/2017, 08:15 AM	#11
bighead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 444	I run a Jaebo Dc 1200 for over a year I clean it pretty often once a month or do

11/15/2017, 09:20 AM	#13
crawlerman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 503	Seems obvious, but did you clean out the teeth (for lack of a better term) on the overflow?

11/15/2017, 02:52 PM	#14
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Look, quite simply if the DT level is going up and the sump level down than more water is entering the DT than leaving the DT. It's your job to figure out why. If your drain can, as you said, handle more flow, than if someone came and poured 20 gallons into your DT your sump would overflow, not the DT __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels