Help! I almost flooded my living room!

Allyson · 12-06-2001, 11:48 PM

Now I feel like a total dork....I'm trying to fill my aquarium and almost overflowed the tank. I'm not totally positive what I've done wrong and now I'm scared to continue...but need to so it'll be ready for my detrivore kit which arrives tomorrow.

Okay....like I said before there's a corner overflow that flows to the sump and is returned to the tank via a powerhead. Well I filled the main tank to just below the overflow and then filled the sump to cover the powerhead...fired up the powerhead and continued filling the main tank. Before I knew it the tank was backing up and ready to overflow so I turned the powerhead off to stop the overflow and started draining the sump so it wouldn't overflow.

What did I do wrong? I know I can do this I'm just scared to continue without some input.....anybody!

Allyson

Minnreefer · 12-06-2001, 11:56 PM

a few questions, when you fill the main tank does it overflow into the sump? if yes then your pump is a bit too strong and you need to get some type of valve to reduce the flow. If no then you have some typw of problem with the overflow. Good luck

Jon

Allyson · 12-07-2001, 12:04 AM

Yes it overflows directly into the sump and there is a pvc pipe with holes drilled in it in the overflow section . I guess my question is when do I turn on the powerhead and how much water should be in each tank when I do....My problem occurred when the water started into the overflow....maybe I filled the tank too fast.

I'm going to fix myself a Crown & 7, grab a couple of extra buckets and try again. This time monitoring the powerhead more closely.

Minnreefer · 12-07-2001, 12:13 AM

I would say to have some play in both tanks and let it fill up after it is running. We are in the chat right now @ http://www.thereeftank.com/chat/chat.html and please feel free to come in and ask questions dirrect.

Jon

Allyson · 12-07-2001, 12:34 AM

It's the powerhead.....when it moves it goes out intermittently and of course the one on my fresh water tank has the wrong size output for the hose I have. ****....I guess I'll be waiting at the front door of the lfs when they open.

But let me be sure I understand....I should fill the main tank to just below the overflow....fill the sump covering the powerhead...turn on the powerhead and continue filling the sump....right? And let the return fill the main tank.

Allyson

tdwyatt · 12-07-2001, 12:44 AM

Quote:

But let me be sure I understand....I should fill the main tank to just below the overflow....fill the sump covering the powerhead...turn on the powerhead and continue filling the sump....right? And let the return fill the main tank.

Yes, that is pretty much it. Have seawater ready to add to the sump as the level drops toward the top of the pump when you turn it on. As you get the system running afor a few minutes and all the air/water levels equilibrate, you can add enough water to the sump to keep your evaporation from dropping the level too much between additions of top off water, but be aware that you need to test your sump's limits to overflow by unplugging the pump and watching how high the water rises until all the water in the system drians back into the sump. Keep in mind that if you don't have a siphon break in your return line just under the water line, it will act as a siphon to return water when the power is lost until the water level drops to the opening for the return. Best to drill a small (3/32 inch) hole in the return line just under the final water line to prevent this. Good luck, I hope that the critters do ok, it might be a bit early to be adding any critters just yet... New Sandbed and rock?

Allyson · 12-07-2001, 12:55 AM

I know...I ordered them earlier in the week before I found out my husband was going to be in the hospital the entire week and be having surgery tomorrow. Kind of put a kink in my schedule for the tank.....especially with the kids...I have a 3 1/2 year old and 7 mos old. I should have tried to cancel the order. Can I keep them in the shipping box for a day if I add an airstone? I'm not sure how they come.

gottareef · 12-07-2001, 08:22 AM

When I set one up and turn the return on for the first time what I do is fill the tank until water starts to go down the overflow. Then I fill the sump to near the top (the pump is off at this point). This is the maximum water capacity of the system. Then turn the pump on and watch carefully that the overflow starts working and you come to a steady state before water goes over the top of the tank. If this happens, you're in good shape. If it doesn't, your pump is too big or your overflow is too small. Now take a piece of masking tape and apply it to the side of your sump at the water level once it settles down. You do not want to ever put more water in the sump than this when the pump is running. I use the tape as my mark for topoffs.

Hope I could help a little - good luck.

JennM · 12-07-2001, 08:47 AM

Just an addendum to what everyone else said, for my maintenance customers, I take a permanent marker and mark the MINIMUM and MAXIMUM water level in their sumps.

The minimum is so that the water doesn't evaporate down so far that the system sucks air...the maximum is so that they don't overfill and overflow if there is a loss of power. I use a permanent marker so there's no "the tape fell off" excuse...

I agree that a valve on the return pump is a good idea then you can tweak the flow.

Jenn

Doug1 · 12-08-2001, 06:54 AM

Hi Allyson, did you ever get this sorted out?
How were the critters

Allyson · 12-10-2001, 09:10 AM

Thanks for the concern & input.....things have been slightly crazy around my house with my husband in the hospital, me home alone with the kids and having to get the tank set up for my "critters" which I should have cancelled.

Anyway...Friday morning I bought a new powerhead, filled the main tank to the overflow, started the powerhead and added water to the sump until I was happy with the levels. I made sure there was enough room in the sump to hold the overflow water and attached the return hose so that if there was a power failure it would suck water back into the sump.

I kept the critters in their oxygenated bags until the tank circulated for about 6 hours and then acclimated and added them along with about 20 lbs. of LR, IPSF's N reducer & Miracle Mud. I did have a few deaths (a couple of worms that got caught in my powerhead because I forgot to wrap the stem with filter pad) which I removed, but for the most part they survived. I did a water change yesterday to reduce the nitrite level and so far so good. Phew ! ! !

I figure I'll let it cycle for another 3 or 4 days and then add some more LR. If the nitrite levels are fine by next weekend can I add a fish like a clown?

Allyson

Doug1 · 12-10-2001, 09:24 AM

Allyson, glad its coming together. Have you done the shut down test, where you shut of the return powerhead and make sure it doesnt siphon more than the sump can hold? Another good idea is to drill a small hole(1/8") in the return line just below the surface, this lets air enter the return line if the power goes off and keeps the return line from siphoning to much water. It will not effect the auto start up when the power comes back on.
Just outta curiosity what size tank are you working with? Watch your ammonia and nitrite and if its not measurable in a week you can prolly add a small clown. Go slowly stocking so the biofilter capacity has time to keep up. Consider what fish you want and can keep and save the most territorial to put in last. Good luck and have fun with your new tank, and special; wishes for your hubbys swift recovery

Minnreefer · 12-10-2001, 10:22 AM

I am glad that everything is working out somewhat

I would say take your time, you and your fish will thank you.

Good luck

Jon

FishDaddy · 12-10-2001, 01:33 PM

Allyson,
I sure hope your husband's surgery was successful and that he has a quick recovery.
I would recommend waiting a while before adding any fish.....this is the hardest part; being patient while the tank settles in. I usually recommend a period of 3 months before adding fish (I know, I know, that seems like a long time

) because you will experience a series of Algae blooms and it's easier to cope with Algae and any other unexpected "break in period" problems without having to deal with a fish in the tank.
Weelllllll....., since 'tis the season; maybe just one Christmas Fish!

Dick

hayday · 12-10-2001, 03:38 PM

what happens when the power returns?

when the power is cut, water will flow out of the tank and into the sump until the suction is lost. drilling a hole in the suction tube will break the suction and stop water from flowing to the sump. but once the power returns, water will flow out of the sump and into the tank but there won't be any suction drawing water in to the sump. if the suction has been broken, and with nothing drawing water to the sump, won't the sump eventually run to empty? eventually it will run dry, potentially burning out the pump.

am i just confused?

wait, don't answer that! obviously i'm confused

and what i need is to be unconfused.

-hayday