Rebuilding hardware set up

[pterfloth]

Hi. Well if the line at the back is connected to the sump pump and the water returns to the tank through this line and it runs down to the bottom of your tank then you have got a problem. The return pump fills this line with water. When the power goes off, the water is going to siphon back through this line into your sump and will continue to do so until the level in your tank is low enough for this line to lose suction. By that time you going to have a big puddle somewhere you don't want it and your fish will not be happy. Most people's return line outlet ends just below the normal water surface to prevent siphoning out their tank. I'd shorten the line a lot so that you don't have this happen. You may also be able to find a check valve to put in the return line, but I don't know of any. One of these days the power will go out.

[jassz]

Do you think the lines are probably reversed? To me, the line at the back looks like the water-out lines on my FW tank. It has a cover over the end so the fish don't get sucked up in to it. The line at the front looks like it should be adjustable for height, hence, maybe it is supposed to be the line in to the tank, and the siphon out line when the power is off.

But the line at the back is definitely the line in at the moment, because if I pour water into the sump, or if it gets air in it for a second, it's definitely coming out the back line.

[pterfloth]

That could be the solution. The lines in and out of the Fluval don't matter since it is enclosed. Connect the front tube to your return. It actually looks upside down. On mine, the "U" sits over the tank lip with the flared end just below the water surface.

I suggest turning off your return pump and quickly disconnecting the return hose from long line at the back. Loosen any hose clamps first so you can do it quickly. Once the line is disconnected your chance of massive draining should eliminated. Turn off the Fluval and swap the lines. Try inverting the "U" so it sits over the tank lip.

I think this should work. The overflow will still drain some so you do need some room in your sump for that.

Let me know how it goes. Good luck!

[jassz]

Well, mostly.

I figured out the plumbing (and it wasn't the way I thought). I am satisfied now I could survive a power outage with dry feet. More importantly, I'm not so intimidated by it any more.

I got the wiring tacked up nicely. I changed out 10% of the water and vaccumed the gravol. I moved the live rocks from the sump in to the tank (tried to create interesting caves etc for the gang... they seem to like it), and most importantly, I got the protein skimmer installed! It seems to work great, but it is frothing out the top which I figure it shouldn't do. I tried adjusting the water level with the pipe at the side, as I was instructed, but it's still frothing. I think I might have too much water in the sump, but taking some water out won't work as the skimmer isn't in the lowest point. I have to change the partition wall, I think. But does it matter if it foams out the top?

I didn't get the second heater installed, but we'd all had enough for one day.

Thanks everyone for your help!

[BlueAbyss]

Hmm by foaming out the top, do you mean overflowing the collection cup with wet foam? Or are you missing the collection cup on your skimmer?

[jassz]

Well, the collection cup is full of water, so I guess that means I'm overflowing it, not missing it? I'll try and get a picture in the morning.

In the meantime, I wrapped some media floss around the lip.

[pterfloth]

Glad to hear your keeping dry feet!