Sump level

[Djplus1]

I just added a Jebao WP40 to my 72g and am having some minor issues with sump level. I have a real simple drilled tank with two 1" vinyl tubes running to my sump (no weir). When I run the pump in wave mode 1 (big back and forth wave), my return compartment level on the eshopps sump goes up and down, triggering the ATO. Not a huge problem I guess, but it makes the ATO pump run a lot when I use "wave 1" and if I switch to something else my return compartment of my sump is much higher than it should be. 

 

Should I just set my sump level a few inches higher?

[flooddc]

You can raise the level. But make sure it not going to flood your sump if you have a power out or return pump failure.

[Djplus1]

You can raise the level. But make sure it not going to flood your sump if you have a power out or return pump failure.

Will that prevent the ATO from kicking on and off though? I have plenty of flood room, as the sump fills to about 3 inches from the top when I turn off the pumps, so 2-4 more inches on the return chamber will only be like 1 inch max total level.

[Coral Hind]

Put the ATO on a timer so it only comes on for five or so minutes each day. It would give it enough time to adjust the sump level yet limit the amount of on and off cycles. It also helps in an event a float sticks on, it will not keep running and running.  

[Djplus1]

Put the ATO on a timer so it only comes on for five or so minutes each day. It would give it enough time to adjust the sump level yet limit the amount of on and off cycles. It also helps in an event a float sticks on, it will not keep running and running.  

It's not just the ATO that's the concern as the water level gets low enough that the overflow cannot keep up with the return pump, so tons of bubbles get in the display. It only happens when I set the Jebao to wave 1, which unfortunately is the only setting I really like.

[Coral Hind]

Do you have room for a larger sump?

[Djplus1]

Do you have room for a larger sump?

It's not really in the budget, but part of the impetus to place the ATO reservoir in the basement. I just added a second mr5 reactor and a k1 kalk stirrer under my standard 72 bow stand. The problem may still occur regardless of the sump size I fear as I believe a weir would limit the water level change in the aquarium itself (which I don't have).

 

If I get a new sump, I'd probably want to replace my skimmer at the same time so I could measure out the levels I need.

[flooddc]

Will that prevent the ATO from kicking on and off though? I have plenty of flood room, as the sump fills to about 3 inches from the top when I turn off the pumps, so 2-4 more inches on the return chamber will only be like 1 inch max total level.

Will temporary prevent ATO from kicking on and off, but won't solve your problem in long term. Water will evaporate and back to ato water level.  

 

It's not just the ATO that's the concern as the water level gets low enough that the overflow cannot keep up with the return pump, so tons of bubbles get in the display. It only happens when I set the Jebao to wave 1, which unfortunately is the only setting I really like.

One would assume that it's going to be the opposite since bigger wave will dump more water into the overflow! Nonetheless, if your overflow can't keep up with your return pump, why not put a valve on the return hose and adjust the valve until the return is equal to the overflow? 

[Djplus1]

Will temporary prevent ATO from kicking on and off, but won't solve your problem in long term. Water will evaporate and back to ato water level.  

 

 

One would assume that it's going to be the opposite since bigger wave will dump more water into the overflow! Nonetheless, if your overflow can't keep up with your return pump, why not put a valve on the return hose and adjust the valve until the return is equal to the overflow?

 

i just put in a synchra 2 and have dialed it down one notch already. If I dial it down too much it won't jive with the tank set up normally I fear. Does this happen with other controllable pump owners? I never got a big wave with my sicce's and I used to use a mag 5 which is just about the same as the synchra 2. Is all of these problems because I don't have a weir and internal overflow?

[Coral Hind]

I would like to see a video of what exactly is going on. That would be very helpful. You might be better off installing larger drains than the two 1" so they can get the flow back to the tank faster.