Water level, ATO and down pipe

[SereneAquatic]

Our new (first) tank has been up and running a couple of weeks now. Initially we had it "calibrated" so there was no water noise in the down pipe to the sump and it was slightly before the backup overflow pipes.

There has been a lot of evaporation, with the ATO replacing about a gallon per day, which felt like a lot but there is no signs of leaking and salinity is stable, so we keep filling the ATO reservoir.

In the last day or so, the down pipe has started gurgling, and we noticed that the return pump area of the sump is running about 1/4 inch lower than it was just a couple days ago.

What is going on?

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[SereneAquatic]

Our new (first) tank has been up and running a couple of weeks now. Initially we had it "calibrated" so there was no water noise in the down pipe to the sump and it was slightly before the backup overflow pipes.

There has been a lot of evaporation, with the ATO replacing about a gallon per day, which felt like a lot but there is no signs of leaking and salinity is stable, so we keep filling the ATO reservoir.

In the last day or so, the down pipe has started gurgling, and we noticed that the return pump area of the sump is running about 1/4 inch lower than it was just a couple days ago.

What is going on?

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Pictures

1. Tank overflow... I just adjusted the down pipe to raise the water level up again (we did it last night too)

2. The water level used to be lined up where the bottom of the probe rack is.

3. The ATO Reservoir has dropped about 2 inches since it was filled last night.

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[homer1475]

I can't even figure out what that picture is(way to large even on my laptop).

What setup? Durso, Herbie, bean animal?

If your ATO is setup properly, you should not see a decrease in the return pump compartment of your sump(where your ATO should be located).

 

[SereneAquatic]

I can't even figure out what that picture is(way to large even on my laptop).

What setup? Durso, Herbie, bean animal?

If your ATO is setup properly, you should not see a decrease in the return pump compartment of your sump(where your ATO should be located).

Sorry. The pics look like the posted sideways too... No idea why, camera was straight up lol

Its a Red sea reefer, 425. They have 3 down pipes, main and two backup. I can't figure out why the water level changed so quickly, especially since the Reservoir is still draining away fairly quickly. I have checked everywhere around the tank (whacked my head hard enough on the nearby mantle to see stars... Still hurts lol)... Everything is bone dry.

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[homer1475]

Not sure about the reefer series as I have never seen one in person, but it sounds like a modified herbie setup.

Is there a gate valve on the full siphon line? Are you running filter socks?

On my herbie setup when my socks start to get dirty water starts going down the emergency and the water levels in my sump decreases causing my ATO to kick in.

Sometimes I just need to open or close the full siphon lines gate valve just a bit. A herbie setup unfortunately is not set and forget.

 

[SereneAquatic]

Not sure about the reefer series as I have never seen one in person, but it sounds like a modified herbie setup.

Is there a gate valve on the full siphon line? Are you running filter socks?

On my herbie setup when my socks start to get dirty water starts going down the emergency and the water levels in my sump decreases causing my ATO to kick in.

Sometimes I just need to open or close the full siphon lines gate valve just a bit. A herbie setup unfortunately is not set and forget.

Yes, there is a gate valve. Yes, I have filter socks, but they are clean.

Even the water in the overflow box seems to stay low. /headscratcher

I swear, it all points to water leak, but i see nothing.

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[Rover88]

Its not a leak.

If it was a leak, your ATO would be continuously putting water in to replace what was 'lost'.

It sounds to me like your ATO sensor slipped down a little, or got less sensitive.

 

[VoltzNSalt]

For whatever reason, it would seem your return pump is not replacing water in your DT as quickly as your overflow is sending it to your sump. As mentioned above, trying closing your gate valve on your full siphon just a bit until everything is back into equilibrium again...

 

[crawlerman]

Just wanted to add that 1 gallon per day is normal. This time of year with the heat on I'm closer to 2 on my 180g.

 

[VoltzNSalt]

Just wanted to add that 1 gallon per day is normal. This time of year with the heat on I'm closer to 2 on my 180g.

3 1/2 gals/day on my 210 with the furnace on in the dry Colorado climate...

 

[lapin]

pic redo

 

[SereneAquatic]

pic redo

Thanks. I am considering adding about 2 gallons of saltwater to the system as a whole and seeing what happens... It's like the whole thing is lower. The only other explanation would be maybe the water I am taking out for testing is just lowering the system overall... But I would think the ATO would fill that back up and the salinity would be slowly declining if it was that drastic of a problem.

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[crawlerman]

Can you post a full pic of the sump. It looks like the water level is above the baffles. Is the water level in the chamber with the return pump lower than the others? Do you have your float for ATO in the chamber with the return pump?