Water levels?

[Ab129]

Hello all,
So after almost a year, I finally have water in my tank and I'm now leak testing my system. 75gal tank trigger ruby 30 sump reef oct varios 6 pump.
I thought everything was running very smoothly for the last 2 days.
The recommended water level in the skimmer section of the sump is 9.5 inches fixed. I had it filled to about 11 inches. I figured with evaporation I would get down to 9.5 soon enough. 2 days later and the level is still at 11.
So I started taking out water from the sump with a 20 ounce cup.
I took out about a gallon and the water level didn't budge in the skimmer section but when I looked at the return section that went down.
I then started taking 20 ounces at a time out of the skimmer section and pouring it directly into the return section and the water level in the skimmer section still stayed steady. Am I not removing enough water to make a difference?
Also, does anyone know what the minimum water level needs to be in the return section? Would like to know so I can adjust the float switch accordingly.

 

[thegrun]

The only section of your sump where the water level will change as you remove water is the return section (or at least until the return section runs dry). You need to build a small 1-1/2" platform for your skimmer to sit on.

 

[mcgyvr]

Also, does anyone know what the minimum water level needs to be in the return section? Would like to know so I can adjust the float switch accordingly.

I set that water level in the return section high enough so that a full power off startup doesn't cause the water level to drop low enough that the pump starts sucking too much air in..
The water level there will drop before the drains catch up and the level rises again..

And also so that under normal conditions you don't have air being sucked down into the pump either.. So its usually about 4 inches or more above the inlet of the pump.. depending on pump size,etc...

 

[Ab129]

Thank you both so much for that info!
And I have already built a stand for the skimmer with pvc and egg crate.
Thanks again, you guys are the best!