Water levels

[toomuch420]

My 120 gal runs fine for weeks or months then I wake up and emergency drain is gushing (happened twice now)
Idk why. This morning return chamber almost empty and display full to rim and emergency drain gushing. Any thoughts or ideas why this would happen? Had leave 4 work stressing me out not knowing

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[JohnBRZ]

Have you already check to see if there a snail in the main drain? Your return pump is set at a constant rate, right?


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[mescobar]

Good idea to check the main drain, could be obstructions or build up in there.

What brand of tank do you have? What ATO mechanism are you running?

 

[Discotu]

Few things to check:
-drain obstructions
-return pump flow. I had an Apex Cor return that would fluctuate even when on "constant flow". Eventually switched to Varios and much better flow consistency. Not sure if you're on apex but adding a flow meter would help track.
-what type of drain are you running? Sounds like bean animal style? These can be affected by back pressure. For example if the drain goes into a filter chamber and as the filter media clogs up the water level in that chamber rises creating more back pressure on the tuned drain.

Good luck!

 

[toomuch420]

Have you already check to see if there a snail in the main drain? Your return pump is set at a constant rate, right?


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Havnt checked was late 4 work trying get return pump wet. Return stays at same setting

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[toomuch420]

Good idea to check the main drain, could be obstructions or build up in there.

What brand of tank do you have? What ATO mechanism are you running?

Aqua japan.
Ato is new tunze 3

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[toomuch420]

Few things to check:
-drain obstructions
-return pump flow. I had an Apex Cor return that would fluctuate even when on "constant flow". Eventually switched to Varios and much better flow consistency. Not sure if you're on apex but adding a flow meter would help track.
-what type of drain are you running? Sounds like bean animal style? These can be affected by back pressure. For example if the drain goes into a filter chamber and as the filter media clogs up the water level in that chamber rises creating more back pressure on the tuned drain.

Good luck!

Has a main drain and emergency drain slightly higher

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[toomuch420]

Not sure relevant but never happen before tunze ato

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[Xaznkewlguyx]

Maybe it’s time to clean/replace impeller on pump. Mine did that last month, pulled the return pump and cleaned the impeller. No problem since

 

[spiderguardnano]

i also have an aqua Japan tank that I have the same issue everything is good until the water level changes out of no where. I’m running a various at like level 2 with the system fine tuned with gate valve. At first I thought it was my MP40 running on reef crest that was messing with it because it would speed up and maybe dropping the water level but that’s just a guess.

I do think it’s something to do with my plumbing in the overflow box I haven’t attempted to fix it yet but maybe something like this might fix things


https://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/

 

[toomuch420]

Maybe it’s time to clean/replace impeller on pump. Mine did that last month, pulled the return pump and cleaned the impeller. No problem since

Don't think it's that as only been running cpl .months and it's not slowing it's emptying the return chamber and over filling display

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[toomuch420]

Few things to check:
-drain obstructions
-return pump flow. I had an Apex Cor return that would fluctuate even when on "constant flow". Eventually switched to Varios and much better flow consistency. Not sure if you're on apex but adding a flow meter would help track.
-what type of drain are you running? Sounds like bean animal style? These can be affected by back pressure. For example if the drain goes into a filter chamber and as the filter media clogs up the water level in that chamber rises creating more back pressure on the tuned drain.

Good luck!

Sir believe you are correct. Got home filter sock was pretty dirty. Besides changing sock more frequently any advice to prevent happening again?
Nothing blocking main drain
I do have a apex and will configure the device u suggested. Almost got me debating going filter less

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[Jimbo327]

If you post some photos of the tank and the overflow and sump, it would help with the diagnosis. I'm not familiar with how Aqua Japan looks.

Most likely the drain valve is not letting enough water drain, and it slowly builds up to the emergency drain.

 

[toomuch420]

Pics

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[Jimbo327]

I see you are growing some macros and plants in the overflow. Might be a good idea to add a grate guard on the main drain so it don't get clogged. Something like this. https://www.amazon.com/PATIKIL-Outdoor-Fitting-Adapter-Drainage/dp/B0C152C84F?gQT=1&th=1 Or you can 3D print one if you have a printer or know someone who has one. Then one of your maintenance task will be to clean out that grate guard.

Probably a good idea to open the drain valve complete to flush any obstructions out first, then start closing it up to balance out the level.

And also, check the level daily, your drain valve may be slowly getting clogged or needs adjustment to drain enough to not have the water level creep up.

 

[toomuch420]

I see you are growing some macros and plants in the overflow. Might be a good idea to add a grate guard on the main drain so it don't get clogged. Something like this. https://www.amazon.com/PATIKIL-Outdoor-Fitting-Adapter-Drainage/dp/B0C152C84F?gQT=1&th=1 Or you can 3D print one if you have a printer or know someone who has one. Then one of your maintenance task will be to clean out that grate guard.

Probably a good idea to open the drain valve complete to flush any obstructions out first, then start closing it up to balance out the level.

And also, check the level daily, your drain valve may be slowly getting clogged or needs adjustment to drain enough to not have the water level creep up.

Thx. Just a few mangroves.It is great then suddenly wake up to trouble. Last time display was to rim and ro kept topping return chamber.
Lastnight ro was empty so filled display to rim and drained return chamber

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[Jimbo327]

How does the down drain pipe going into the sump? Is it directly into filter sock? How far is the pipe into the water?

 

[IvanW]

As Jimbo said the depth that the pipe goes into the sump can create back pressure.

 

[drexel]

Just remove the filter socks, they're more of a problem than they're worth. I only use socks when I'm dosing DIY coral snow (calcium carbonate) to clean up the water, then I remove them. Filter socks will change the flow in a sump drastically and I find they're not necessary to maintain a healthy tank. In fact, some may clean too much and strip the tank of vital nutrients, especially those that run lower nutrients. The return pump should be 1x-3x take turnover, beyond that, nothing gets processed by the skimmer or the skimmer barely has time to process the waste. The lower turnover will allow detritus to settle in the sump, where it's easily removed.

 

[laverda]

Mangrove drop leaves which can cause a restriction in the drain. Personally I would open the drain all the way, but a 45 degree fitting and screen on the main drain. This will prevent it getting cloged an allow more water flow quietly.