How do I get the sump working?

[hunter]

Completely new to all of this. I?ve filled up the tank with RODI water, added the salt, and turned the pump on. The water is circulating but the sump water level is the same all the way across, is that normal? Here?s a few photos showing water levels in the sump and tank. What do I do? Is it too low or high, or?

https://imgur.com/a/ZBU4jaY

 

[grsfish]

Hi. I don?t know about how everybody else?s sumps are but I have a diy one as well in a 10 gallon aquarium. From what I can tell the water level is a little high. Take some out until the water level is just below the second from the right baffle. Then the 1st 2 sections will have the same level and the 3rd will be a little lower. The only problem might be there might not be enough water in the first section for your skimmer... also you should always mix the saltwater in another bucket and then put in the tank. Especially when you do have fish in there

 

[hunter]

Thanks for the help. When i lower the water in those sections it stays the same level in all the sections as it?s all connected. Is there something I?m doing wrong?

 

[grsfish]

Sump

Hi. It should look like this. When you take enough water out the section on the right will be the first section to lose water

 

[Caseyoidae]

You may want to put a ball valve on the drain lines going from the tank into the sump. This way you can control water levels. If sump is that full and power goes out you might get some flooding

 

[albano]

You may want to put a ball valve on the drain lines going from the tank into the sump. This way you can control water levels. If sump is that full and power goes out you might get some flooding

Not sure if I understand what you mean, but a ball valve on the drain lines should not be used to control the water level in the sump, and could cause the main tank to overflow (if there is no emergency drain).
If the water level is too high in the sump, remove the extra water.

 

[bcaine]

Is that sump big enough for your tank size.? How big is your tank?

 

[bcaine]

The water may get that high if you turn of the return pump for feeding.
If its that high before the return pump is turned off there will be flooding.

 

[hunter]

bcaine, the tank is 45gallons.

 

[hunter]

I got it to work!

Lowering the water did the trick, thanks everyone!

 

[bcaine]

Great! Another good idea from someone who had a hard learning curve with sumps and still learning. Try turning of your return pump and skimmer and see how high the water in the sump water rises . BUT be prepared to quickly turn the return pump back on in case it gets to high or tries to overflow. This is a great indicator of how high sump water will get if you turn it off to feed , power outage , or pump dies. Better safe than sorry , fail safes do help greatly. Something always dies ,breaks ,burns out late night ,holidays weekends ,bad weather the longer your in the hobby.

 

[hunter]

I've done that and it doesn't overflow, thanks for the tip!

 

[Dre]

And remember to compensate evaporation with fresh water

 

[SI REEF]

Also there will be a sump water level for your skimmer to perform most effectively