Sump Problem - Changing water levels

[visuvius]

I have a 50 gallon Cadlights cube with their 18 gallon sump. The sump has three chambers, drain, refugium, return. Today I noticed that the chamber where the water drains and where the protein skimmer is sitting has risen in water level. Its like barely an inch or two from the top. The refugium and return chamber levels are the same -- I have the Osmolator sensor in the last chamber.

What would cause the water level in that chamber where the water drains to rise so high? Could it be that the return pump is not working correctly or something? The protein skimmer is working fine but I did notice that for some reason, the container was overflowing with water as if the setting had changed even though I didn't adjust it -- I'm guessing it did that because the water level around it increased?

Anyhow, I'm not sure whats wrong since everything seems to be working except the water level rose.

 

[hollister]

Water enters faster then removed. Adding a flow control valve may help. Or maybe more evaporation in display tank.

 

[chris1292]

The rising water level most likely caused the skimmer to overflow

 

[visuvius]

Well its weird that the water level would increase in the sump in the first place when nothing has changed in the environment. Its been evaporating about as much water as it always has. I just don't know why its rising in the sump.

 

[keithhays]

If I have the picture right, the first chamber is filling with water faster than the others which means your return pump and tank are pumping and draining water faster than this section can drain it. What happened probably depends on how you are plumbed, but generally pumps are not pumping the exact same amount of water all the time so it is wise to put the flow from the return pump through a valve the is not completely open so that the water has a control on it separate from the pump itself. Even then you can get an increase if the pump is strong enough. At least on my large pumps you can get a difference because electrical differences on the circuits, the pump breaking in, etc. Mostly this happens in the reverse on smaller internal pumps as build up happens and the motors wear.

 

[visuvius]

If I have the picture right, the first chamber is filling with water faster than the others which means your return pump and tank are pumping and draining water faster than this section can drain it. What happened probably depends on how you are plumbed, but generally pumps are not pumping the exact same amount of water all the time so it is wise to put the flow from the return pump through a valve the is not completely open so that the water has a control on it separate from the pump itself. Even then you can get an increase if the pump is strong enough. At least on my large pumps you can get a difference because electrical differences on the circuits, the pump breaking in, etc. Mostly this happens in the reverse on smaller internal pumps as build up happens and the motors wear.

Thanks for the response keith.

Yes you have the picture right. I guess where I am mistaken is I'm trying to put the blame on the return pump not pushing enough water but per your post I think I may be mistaken. I will adjust the valve I have on my return and see if that helps. Since its been set up that valve has been wide open.

 

[worm5406]

Take out a bit of water in the first chamber.

See if the return does indeed go down. (Like it should)

If so check to see that there are no obstructions between the first section and the return section. Clogged foam filter, snail in the baffle... anything that would cause the flow to slow down even more going out of that section.