I almost let my sump run dry...question...

[El Langostino]

Yes so, I noticed my sump was a bit low on water and didn't top off today because I had planned to do a 5 gallon water change tonight....well...I did just a few minutes ago, but I made a terrible n00b arse mistake and failed to account for the fact that when I syphoned out 5 gallons, that would be enoungh to lower the water level well below my pump and possibly drain the sump completely. So yeah, I acted as quickly as I could in a very panicked state and used my maxi jet to refill my tank with 5 gallons of water and of course that solved the problem.

now the question comes soon......my sump was virtually dry for about a minute or so as I frantically scrambled to hook up the maxi jet (which gave me a hell of a lot of trouble in itself due to this fiasco of a power outlet mess, damn damn daaaaaaamn!!!) and pump in 5 gallons. My loc lines spewed forth a plethora of a white junkish substance and my tank is absolutely loaded with micro bubbles and I hate them to no end. My question is, will they go away now that my sump is once again full and the pump isn't sucking in air??? I turned the pump on and off several times slowly in an attempt to remove any trapped air...but have no idea if this does/did anything.

Please tell me if I am going to pay dearly for this stupid mistake or what I can do to assuage this injury. Or if it is the case, you can even reassure me that everything is perfectly fine and I'm overreacting ^_^

 

[clown-x]

you're fine the bubbles will go away and return to normal... the only concern i would have is damage to the pump if it was run "dry" and caused some issues long term with the pump.

 

[Kinetic]

Re: I almost let my sump run dry...question...

Ok, you have MANY flaws.

1. Always top off, you're losing "fresh" water and then if you topoff with your 5 gallon water change, your salinity will be way high. You should have topped off anyway. It's common sense no?

2. You MUST turn off pumps when doing a water change. I've never heard of anyone doing it with it on. There's absolutely no reason for it. You could run the pumps dry, burn them out, you can shoot so many bubbles that your pH levels go crazy, if your water temp / params aren't the same it could kill corals pretty quickly.

so you did many things wrong.

Always topoff, adding more salt water will increase your specific gravity.

Always turn off pumps to do water changes =/

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6798962#post6798962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by El Langostino
Yes so, I noticed my sump was a bit low on water and didn't top off today because I had planned to do a 5 gallon water change tonight....well...I did just a few minutes ago, but I made a terrible n00b arse mistake and failed to account for the fact that when I syphoned out 5 gallons, that would be enoungh to lower the water level well below my pump and possibly drain the sump completely. So yeah, I acted as quickly as I could in a very panicked state and used my maxi jet to refill my tank with 5 gallons of water and of course that solved the problem.

now the question comes soon......my sump was virtually dry for about a minute or so as I frantically scrambled to hook up the maxi jet (which gave me a hell of a lot of trouble in itself due to this fiasco of a power outlet mess, damn damn daaaaaaamn!!!) and pump in 5 gallons. My loc lines spewed forth a plethora of a white junkish substance and my tank is absolutely loaded with micro bubbles and I hate them to no end. My question is, will they go away now that my sump is once again full and the pump isn't sucking in air??? I turned the pump on and off several times slowly in an attempt to remove any trapped air...but have no idea if this does/did anything.

Please tell me if I am going to pay dearly for this stupid mistake or what I can do to assuage this injury. Or if it is the case, you can even reassure me that everything is perfectly fine and I'm overreacting ^_^

 

[fio1022]

Why did your sump almost dry?
I top off every day but I could go over a week before level in sump would be a problem.I evaporate about a gallon and a half a day.
You might rethink your sump layout/design...

 

[El Langostino]

It had been over a week, and I've been busy with school.

Koden,

About the Salinty, since you don't know my tank and the fact that I've been trying to get the salinty up, that is not a problem...A few friends of mine and I calculated that my next batch of SW would need to be around 1.035 sg in order to raise my very low Sg to the desired 1.025 level. Yes, it is common sense to top off and I just let it slide a bit, but since you apparently feel the need, you can go ahead and bloody crucify me for making a mistake. Jeez, it's not as though new people to this hobby have ever done that! Wow, a startling revelation for you I'm sure! lol...~sigh~

 

[pvtschultz]

Looks like it is time for an auto-topoff system. I got an aqualifter pump from Marine Depot, a float switch from floatswiches.net (I think), and a cheap 6' power chord. I had room for a extra 10 gallon tank to keep RO/DI water in and it keeps the water level where I want. The pick below is of the PVC setup I used to hang the float switch from. Melev has a great article on setting up this type of system as well.

 

[okiejaco]

How do most people take the water out of their tank when doing water changes? Do you use a small pump or siphon from the sump? I am planning on doing a CL and was wondering about coming off it with a ball valve and maybe a soft hose to make removing the water easier.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

El Lango....
dont stress out on it...you did alright kid. I also like the way you calclulated your new salinity level to raise your current level to where it should be......but a little overkill IMO....just fill with fresh RO and the levels would have stablized on your next water change.......as far as the pump running dry.....no worries if its a quality pump, it can run dry for awhile without demage.....
"awhile" doesnt mean 20 minutes though.......