Need help with my new sump in my new tank . I’m pretty sure I did something wrong.

ReefKeeper666 · Dec 1, 2021

Ok so I have a new pro star 60 gallon cube tank. Tank has been running a week but the sump started acting funny and shot a cloud of crap into the tank. I check a few things it’s running ok now tank is clearing up. But my concern is that there are markings on the glass for where the highest and lowest the water should be. The water coming down from the tank is going well above the high mark and spilling over onto the media bags. My old sump was just one big plastic cube with a light diffuser/frag rack type thing in the middle. This new sump has like 4 separate sealed off chambers. Can anyone tell me what I need to fix? Please see pics.

CHASDB · Dec 1, 2021

I like to have my pumps at the very bottom of the return chamber. Do you have some slack in the hose so you can move the rubble rock and bio balls so the pump can sit lower? Is the float switch hooked up and is it adjustable? looks like your pump will be cavitating soon.

How is your drain set up in the overflow? Durso/ Herbie, if your overflow isn't tuned it will gurgle and surge making your level inconsistent as well as a siphon starts and stops.

Overflow Boxes and Drain Styles - Durso, Herbie, and Bean Animal

Decide which of the three most common types of drains and overflow boxes is right for you and your tank.

www.bulkreefsupply.com

ReefKeeper666 · Dec 1, 2021

Yes I can set the pump to the bottom. And going by the link my overflow is a durso

ReefKeeper666 · Dec 1, 2021

CHASDB said:
I like to have my pumps at the very bottom of the return chamber. Do you have some slack in the hose so you can move the rubble rock and bio balls so the pump can sit lower? Is the float switch hooked up and is it adjustable? looks like your pump will be cavitating soon.

How is your drain set up in the overflow? Durso/ Herbie, if your overflow isn't tuned it will gurgle and surge making your level inconsistent as well as a siphon starts and stops.

Overflow Boxes and Drain Styles - Durso, Herbie, and Bean Animal

Decide which of the three most common types of drains and overflow boxes is right for you and your tank.

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I put the pump completely to the bottom. Added a lil ro to make the float level. My concern now is the water level being too high in that area in the front of the glass.

TMB · Dec 2, 2021

Hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like it's doing what it's supposed to be doing.
It looks like the water enters the small front chamber > overflows to the sock section > overflows to the skimmer section > and then overflows to the return pump section. Unless I am mistaking what I think I see in the pics, it looks like those high and low labels are referring to the water level in the rear chamber (the return/pump chamber).
Maybe post the maker and model of this sump so we could research the flow if my answer is not correct. HTH

Snoopy 67 · Dec 2, 2021

IF the first two pictures are correct then your pump is in the wrong chamber.
It should be in the chamber with the high & low water levels.
This is where your evaporation will show up & change the water level.
It is also where your ATO should be.
Fill no higher than the top line while running, then shut pump off & check the amount of water coming back into the sump. If your returns are low in the water raise them 1st. Your sump MUST be able to hold it or you have water all over.

ReefKeeper666 · Dec 2, 2021

TMB said:
Hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like it's doing what it's supposed to be doing.
It looks like the water enters the small front chamber > overflows to the sock section > overflows to the skimmer section > and then overflows to the return pump section. Unless I am mistaking what I think I see in the pics, it looks like those high and low labels are referring to the water level in the rear chamber (the return/pump chamber).
Maybe post the maker and model of this sump so we could research the flow if my answer is not correct. HTH

You are correct! I appreciate the reply. I called Prostar an hour ago. They walked me through everything.

ReefKeeper666 · Dec 2, 2021

Snoopy 67 said:
IF the first two pictures are correct then your pump is in the wrong chamber.
It should be in the chamber with the high & low water levels.
This is where your evaporation will show up & change the water level.
It is also where your ATO should be.
Fill no higher than the top line while running, then shut pump off & check the amount of water coming back into the sump. If your returns are low in the water raise them 1st. Your sump MUST be able to hold it or you have water all over.

I have everything in the right spot. The problem is the water mark Is for the sump chamber behind it. I called pro star and they gave me an explanation that the stickers wouldn’t list long on the inside of the chambers.