Reef Discussion

Susan Bates · Nov 25, 2016

Hi I have a 400lt Aquaone tank,when i turn the pump off the water keeps flowing down into the sump and it over flows on to the floor,what can be wrong, it is a worry if we have a blackout and i am not here, the water level in the sump is correct thanks

athawoot · Nov 25, 2016

Are you using any loc line for your inlet back into the display? If it is quite far down the water can syphon back through it which would cause it to drain the display until the syphon is broken, try lifting it up so it's near the top more
Are you using the standard sump or custom?

192k · Nov 25, 2016

Where is your return outlet pointing?

You could be experiencing the return line syphoning water from the display when the power is cut.

Susan Bates · Nov 25, 2016

athawoot said:
Are you using any loc line for your inlet back into the display? If it is quite far down the water can syphon back through it which would cause it to drain the display until the syphon is broken, try lifting it up so it's near the top more
Are you using the standard sump or custom?

standard sump, not sure what you mean by loc line/?

Buddy · Nov 25, 2016

How far under water is the outlet of pipe that returns the water in to your display tank? Is it possible it is further under and sucking more water to your sump than it normally would?
It is drawing water from your display somewhere, we just need to figure out where.

MagicJ · Nov 25, 2016

Is this a new problem? Or, has it always been like it just that you haven't noticed before?

somethingfishy76 · Nov 25, 2016

What the guys are saying is, the same pipe that sends water up to the top... will suck water back down when the pump stops. To stop this from happening, make sure the point where the water comes out is as close to the top of the water when everything is running. That way when you turn off your pump, only the water in the line and a little that gets sucked back down will fill the sump. It should stop pretty quickly. If it does not, move that same pipes outlet even further up. The trick here is to get it high enough to not make too much noise and not too deep so that too much water will get sucked back.

Loc-line is a flexinble black plastic pipe in several segments that your tank typically comes with. This pipe is the one that can be manipulated in order for the end of it to be close to the surface. Minimising the backflow of water when your system shuts down.

somethingfishy76 · Nov 25, 2016

Susan Bates said:
standard sump, not sure what you mean by loc line/?

This is a typical loc-line section. The bill on the front is made that way to get the tip close to the top of the water without making noise.

MagicJ · Nov 25, 2016

It could also mean that there is too much water in the system, Or, maybe the return pump is oversized resulting in too much water in the display tank.

MagicJ · Nov 25, 2016

I'm not sure if this is the same setup as yours, but @somethingfishy76 is referring to Number 5

somethingfishy76 · Nov 25, 2016

MagicJ said:
It could also mean that there is too much water in the system, Or, maybe the return pump is oversized resulting in too much water in the display tank.

Good point here Majic... for sure... that can be a huge factor also.

somethingfishy76 · Nov 25, 2016

so bend the tip of #5 up to the surface.... of course don't spray water out of your tank but this is where you need to look at pump supply, and water volume your tank can hold once the tank is shut down.

Susan Bates · Nov 26, 2016

MagicJ said:
Is this a new problem? Or, has it always been like it just that you haven't noticed before?

It is a new problem,i just got home from hospital and i turned off to feed and saw that it was running out on the floor

Susan Bates · Nov 26, 2016

somethingfishy76 said:
This is a typical loc-line section. The bill on the front is made that way to get the tip close to the top of the water without making noise.

View attachment 55639

thanks for that i was try it and see if it makes a difference

MagicJ · Nov 26, 2016

Hi @Susan Bates - I hope you are all better now :)

Was anyone looking after your tank whilst you were away?

Susan Bates · Nov 26, 2016

MagicJ said:
Hi @Susan Bates - I hope you are all better now :)

Was anyone looking after your tank whilst you were away?

I had someone to keep an eye on it,best they could,but i don't know anyone around here that know about reef tanks so it is a worry, i might not get better MagicJ ,if i don't after treatment i am going to have to fine a home for my tanks, unfortunately, but i will keep hoping,If i do fight it I am going to treat myself with a bigger better tank,I have one in mind,a red sea 650lt max s, something to fight for LOL

ReeferRob · Nov 26, 2016

The main thing is to make sure the outlet end of of your return is close to the surface. It's possible it got bumped, I've had that happen.

Susan Bates · Nov 27, 2016

Thanks everyone for the help, it was that pipe causing the problem,alway something to learn,I will need everyones opinion on the tank i hope to get,fingers crossed,apparently it can come with LED lighting or T5, the LED in a lot more expensive ,and everyone has different opinions on which is better

MagicJ · Nov 27, 2016

Susan Bates said:
Thanks everyone for the help, it was that pipe causing the problem,alway something to learn,I will need everyones opinion on the tank i hope to get,fingers crossed,apparently it can come with LED lighting or T5, the LED in a lot more expensive ,and everyone has different opinions on which is better

Good to see you got it sorted.

Feel free to ask any questions about the new tank :)

ReeferRob · Nov 27, 2016

Susan, I had an old drill instructor tell me that the dumbest question is the one you didn't ask that got you killed. We're here to help, I know I don't mind helping where I can. I'll admit that acros aren't my thing, but the rest are.