why do i have to adjust valves

scottallert · 05/15/2009, 05:51 PM

When i do a water change or top off i always have to adjust my valves, does anyone else have to do this? and why?
i add water to sump btw

WaterKeeper · 05/15/2009, 06:01 PM

Not sure what you mean but, if you increase the sump water level and the tank get near to overflowing, then the plumbing is too small a diameter or the overflows are not keeping up with the demand.

Indymann99 · 05/15/2009, 06:17 PM

I dont have to play with the valves (drain and return) IF I follow the following proceedure.

1. I turn OFF return and skimmer pumps.
The water in the DT will drain down till it reaches the top of the overflow and wont drain anymore.
2. The level in the sump will rise to a point
(I mark this PUMP OFF point - blue tape upper right of sump return area)
3. I drain sump (waterchange)
4. I add water to sump (fill to the PUMP OFF level marked with tape)
5. turn on return and skimmer pumps.

With this proceedure no "re-adjustment" of drain or return valves is necessary.

WaterKeeper · 05/15/2009, 06:38 PM

Good suggestion, as I didn't think about adding the water to the sump before removing some from the display.

scottallert · 05/15/2009, 07:21 PM

i am using a pvc siphon and i dont take water from the display, i siphon out of the sump and dump water io t sump.

Indymann99 · 05/16/2009, 06:38 PM

Scott, that is what I do. my method will keep you from having to adjust valves.

hope this helps.

scottallert · 05/16/2009, 07:04 PM

ok thanks, my plumming is wrong i guess.
i dont have an over flow box
and i am using 1 1/2 inch pvc as the siphon

Indymann99 · 05/16/2009, 07:18 PM

Scott, no offence intended.

You stop your return pump and let your system equalize (no more water draining into the sump).

If you mark the water line in your sump (PUMP OFF), drain for waterchange, refill back into sump to the "pump off" waterline, then turn on your return pump, you should not have to adjust any valves. Really no different than a power failure with a water change before the power returns.

05/15/2009, 05:51 PM	#1
scottallert Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: south florida Posts: 571	why do i have to adjust valves When i do a water change or top off i always have to adjust my valves, does anyone else have to do this? and why? i add water to sump btw

05/15/2009, 06:01 PM	#2
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Not sure what you mean but, if you increase the sump water level and the tank get near to overflowing, then the plumbing is too small a diameter or the overflows are not keeping up with the demand. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

05/15/2009, 06:17 PM	#3
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	I dont have to play with the valves (drain and return) IF I follow the following proceedure. 1. I turn OFF return and skimmer pumps. The water in the DT will drain down till it reaches the top of the overflow and wont drain anymore. 2. The level in the sump will rise to a point (I mark this PUMP OFF point - blue tape upper right of sump return area) 3. I drain sump (waterchange) 4. I add water to sump (fill to the PUMP OFF level marked with tape) 5. turn on return and skimmer pumps. With this proceedure no "re-adjustment" of drain or return valves is necessary. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

05/15/2009, 06:38 PM	#4
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Good suggestion, as I didn't think about adding the water to the sump before removing some from the display. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

05/15/2009, 07:21 PM	#5
scottallert Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: south florida Posts: 571	i am using a pvc siphon and i dont take water from the display, i siphon out of the sump and dump water io t sump. Last edited by scottallert; 05/15/2009 at 07:30 PM.

05/16/2009, 06:38 PM	#6
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	Scott, that is what I do. my method will keep you from having to adjust valves. hope this helps. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

05/16/2009, 07:04 PM	#7
scottallert Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: south florida Posts: 571	ok thanks, my plumming is wrong i guess. i dont have an over flow box and i am using 1 1/2 inch pvc as the siphon

05/16/2009, 07:18 PM	#8
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	Scott, no offence intended. You stop your return pump and let your system equalize (no more water draining into the sump). If you mark the water line in your sump (PUMP OFF), drain for waterchange, refill back into sump to the "pump off" waterline, then turn on your return pump, you should not have to adjust any valves. Really no different than a power failure with a water change before the power returns. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO