clogged skimmer/pump ?'s

[mayjong]

hello all-
sorry for the long 1st post, but i don't even know the names of some of my equipment... I’m totally new to aquarium biz. This is my first!
I have obtained a 155 gallon saltwater tank that is about 8 months old. It is a reef tank, complete with coral, fish, rock and anemones. I’m having some problems with the pump/filter system. I really have no idea how any of the filters work. It has a protein skimmer in the stand. It looks as though the tank water flows (gravity?) from the tank, into an empty chamber (settling?), flows over a lip into another chamber (this has a “sponge type” filter, then some blue “balls” the water runs through), the water then goes to a third chamber with a protein skimmer, finally through another “sponge type” filter to a fourth chamber (where the pump is).
I have several questions-
1. This whole “filter system” has sand in every chamber (I don’t think it is supposed to, is it??)
When I received the tank, it had an 1800 GPH pump. When we plugged it in, it was clogged with sand (duh!)and “burned up”. I bought a new pump, same size/brand. Cleaned the sand (as much as possible) out of the “pump chamber” When plugged in, it immediately drained the last chamber-so I added more water, which was immediately drained, too. I couldn’t put MORE water, because the tank was going to overflow…
It’s obvious to me, the amount of water being “pumped out” is exceeding the amount of water that “flows in” so, I bought a 9.5k pump, which also pumps too fast, exceeding the water flow. On the recommendation of a local “fish guy”, I installed a ball valve, retarding the flow of water from the pump. It seems to be working, but the flow from the pump has to be dramatically reduced to keep from draining the “pump chamber” too quickly .I’m worried that the flow of water is TOO slow to sustain a healthy tank (I’ve read more flow = better)
2. Is there a possibility of INCREASING the flow coming into the filter system??
The previous owner says he never had this problem; he ran the 1800 without any reduction (ball valve) and never had any problems. (says he had “ really high flow”)
3. Could something have happened in “the move” that caused this (clogged gravity drain??)
4. is my tank in jeopardy due to reduced flow?? (everything appears fine, but tank was only moved 3 days ago…)

Thanks for the help! (I also have some aiptasia anemones, if you have any pointers on how to tackle them!!!)
Thanks again

[luther1200]

I would do a couple of things. But first I have some questions. How much live rock is in the tank? And what kind of sand bed is in there?

I ask because if you have enough the very first thing to do would be to get the blue balls out of there. Start removing a few a day. But only if you have sufficient live rock.

Second would be, I doubt that its sand in the sump its probably detritus which should be removed as soon as you can. But that's just a guess, it could be sand. Is there any Macro algae in the sump? And is there a light over it? If there is Macro algae qand a light he could have been using it as a refugium and many people do put sand in those. But it should not be in the pump chamber.

Could you get some pictures of the whole set up. The tank itself and a few of the sump area and plumbing? That would really help.


I do think the drian is clogged because a tank that size should be able to handle a Mag 9.5 (did you say?). Or 950gph shouldn't be to much for a 150, IMO.

Do you have any power heads or little pumps in the tank itself to move water around?

[mayjong]

thanks!
there is a bunch of rock in the tank. probably 10 pieces, average size of a softball (varied shapes), there is a aprox 2 inch deep bed of sand.
no light on the "sump" area.
it is definetly sand in the last couple chambers. (we removed about 2-3 cups from the "pump chamber" )the first chamber has no sand, only what looks like a white "powder" on the bottom (detritus?)
any thoughts on how to "un-clog" the drain? the top of it looks like an upside down "snorkle" , with a hole on the top (to let in air?)
also- the hose underneath the tank, leading to the "sump" has a "trap" in it - not an actual plumbing piece, but it's made because the hose is long, and it goes down below the level of the top of the sump, then curves back up before it drops down again into the sump. (maybe it is clogged in the "trap" area? kinda like when the "trap" in your kitchen sink gets clogged?)
the pump size is 9.5 thousand GPH...

thanks again!

[luther1200]

Do you know what brand the pump is? If its really 9500gph thats to much, but I think its 950 gph,but that may not be enough so I am a bit confused, because a 9500gph pump would be hundreds of dollars, if not more. Was it that expensive? Its possible during the move that a bunch of sand got stirred up and clogged the plumbing, maybe even thats how it got into the sump? Can you call the guy you got the tank from and ask if the sand is there on purpose or not? That will be a big help if you know that.


I wouldn't go taking out the blue balls yet then, you might need a bit more live rock, maybe thats why he kept the bo balls in there?

The first thing I would get right is the flow, because its very important. So rightnow you have it running, but its restricted with a ball valve? Thats OK to do, and most people have it that way. Try to get a brand name of the pump if you can.

[MERCURYROCKET]

does the tank drain thru bulkheads or a overflow to sump....if hes pumping 950 g then maybe hes not getting enough flow thru the overflow....?

[mayjong]

maybe the pump is 950 GPH.. it cost $150. the tank is an oceanson , with an overflowin the rear/center of the tank.
it is running now, restricted by about 1/2. if i open the valve all the way, the pump is sucking air in about 2-3 seconds.
i'm going to check that "trap" tonight.i'll get the name of the pump, too

[mayjong]

oh- i also have 1 power head for water movement, and will be adding another in 2 days...

[luther1200]

The power heads should be your main flow band syrface aggitation in the tank. The return pump just cycles the water through the sump/skimmer and what ever other reactors you might have.

[mayjong]

finally have the pump info.
it is a "Supreme Classic" 950 GPH
second to last pic is looking down into the rear chamber of the aquarium, (where the pump/gravity lines enter and exit...

[iceman79]

I would not submerse that pump you have in water if there is screws in it cause if they start to rust it will kill everything in your tank

[mayjong]

so, just use a length of hose going into the sump?
i can do that!

[steve76s]

Hi there, I can't really tell from the picture, but it seems that the tank looks smaller then a 155gl. I have a 155 bow front, the tank measures 6ft long 16" wide and peaks at 18" at the center bow with a dept of approx. 20". If the tank measures less then this then that might be the reason why the pump keeps emptying out the last chamber, especially if you only have one drain coming out of the system. I currently have a mag 12 as my return pump and it's just right for my tank, the mag 9.5 could not keep up with the incoming flow. I'm not sure if this is an accurate statement, but you do not want to have sponges in the sump unless you clean them out every other day. They collect detritus, nitrates and phosphates which could cause major issues with hair algae and stuff. I agree with the screws on the pump, they rust after a while. I switched the screws on my mag 9.5 for aluminum screws and it's been that way for over a year now with no rust issues what so ever. Hope this helps

[mayjong]

i'm 90% sure my siphon is not working correctly for some reason...
my tank is 4 feet by 28 in deep(on corners) by 30 in tall... the pic is decieving...
i have MegaFlow Sump (i think a #4) , so it should easily ovetake the 9.5 , but it doesn't...

[steve76s]

I forgot to mention. The only thing that worked for me with apastisia was injecting the base with lemon juice using a syringe. Patience, patience patience. I would tackle a section of the tank at a time until they are all gone. You can also get a copper band butterfly, but they are very iffy sometimes and may not eat them or you can try some peppermint shrimps which would also eat them. Copper bands are a little tricky to keep alive in a home reef so I would try the lemon juice or peppermint shrimps. good luck

[steve76s]

It could be clogged up. I have the same sump setup and it seems as though your water level is right at the minimum level. I keep the level in mine at the max line and I get 2 extra inches of water if I shut off my return pump when feeding. I would recommend shutting off the return pump and see how much higher your water level in the sump goes. I would look in to it because with the drain system you have, it should not clog up that easily. Try removing the sponges and see if there is any difference. hope this helps