My return is filling my sump...

Sprout579 · 10-27-2005, 08:15 PM

Ok so my return has that little hole in it so that it doesent start dumping back into my sump if the pump cuts out, but when I turn the pump off water trickles back down the return into my sump even after the water level is below the little hole. Should I just make the whole in the plastic a little bit bigger?

Another question, do I run the blue actinic 03 bulb at the same time I run 10,000k bulb, for between 10-14hrs a day or do I run them seperate. Basically what should my light timers be set at for a normal 24h period?

xaoss23 · 10-27-2005, 08:20 PM

what size tubing are you using? How big of a hole did you drill?

Yes, you should run the actinic at the same time... alot of people will have the actinic turn on 30min (or so) before and off 30min (or so) after the 10k to simulate a dusk/dawn effect (ie actinic on at 900am, 10K on at 930am, 10K off at 900pm, actinic off 930pm to equal a 12hr period)

Sprout579 · 10-27-2005, 08:25 PM

it is the hang over the back spout, its black, the standard

Doug1 · 10-27-2005, 09:06 PM

Check to make sure it hasnt gotten clogged with algae or something, make it a bit bigger if you have too

aussiereefer82 · 10-27-2005, 09:09 PM

Drill 3 holes, this way the likleyhood of them all been blocked is reduced. It's amazing how many floods have happened because of a snail blocking the hole.

xaoss23 · 10-27-2005, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprout579

it is the hang over the back spout, its black, the standard

That doesnt really give a very good description... any pics?

The multiple hole idea is good too!

Sprout579 · 10-27-2005, 11:12 PM

thanks everyone, I think I will put a few more holes in it. Do you guys ever turn off the pump when you feed? A lot of the food gets sucked into the overflow...

xaoss23 · 10-27-2005, 11:14 PM

I turn off on one of my tanks.... the only time I turn the other one off is to clean the skimmer (have it plumbed directly to the overflow)

skeety · 10-28-2005, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprout579

thanks everyone, I think I will put a few more holes in it. Do you guys ever turn off the pump when you feed? A lot of the food gets sucked into the overflow...

almost ALL the time. I feel this allows more time for the food to get eaten, as opposed to just ending up in my sump's filtration sponges...turning into phosphates. I turn off my sump's return pump, and my skimmer for about 30min-1hour during each feeding.

good practice to get into!

Brent Cone · 10-28-2005, 10:10 AM

I soak my food in r/o water so it drop's & it stay's mid tank, to bottom, then it wont get skimmed of the top from the overflow work's for me.

ScruffyRubicon · 10-28-2005, 11:36 AM

Just drilled some holes myself. I had been looking for a plastic check valve to stop the back flow, but the holes work great. I had thought of doing that before, but I wasn't sure if I would end up with water spraying through the hole. Just ended up with a small trickle from the holes.

Brent Cone · 10-28-2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScruffyRubicon

Just drilled some holes myself. I had been looking for a plastic check valve to stop the back flow, but the holes work great. I had thought of doing that before, but I wasn't sure if I would end up with water spraying through the hole. Just ended up with a small trickle from the holes.

Cool! hope it work's for ya!

germy · 10-28-2005, 01:12 PM

where did you drill the holes?

ScruffyRubicon · 10-28-2005, 01:35 PM

Drilled mine just at the water line. As soon as power is lost to the pump, suction is lost and the sump stops filling. Perfect, no more water in the floor!

germy · 10-28-2005, 01:54 PM

doing it now, i have a faulty pvc check i guess, the check valve does nothing