Sump levels constantly changeing?

[The Grizz]

I don't know that I have said this before but..................... PLUMBING PROBLEM....................I have seen this tank in person once and got a quick look at the gut's and did not like what I saw. There was to much piping there for how simple the set up really is. Return line's are coming out of the overflow, there was a TON of hair algea at the top all around the overflow. I could not tell what the overflow consisted of because the resturaunt was open and I don't think the owner would have been to happy with me if I got down on the floor and got right into the sump area to check it all out. I did not really see a proper ATO, there is a second holding tank that is under the MD for RO water holding and it is plumbed at the bottom of the RO tank to the bottom of the sump.

Just my 2 cent for what it is worth.

[lockrookie]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

I don't know that I have said this before but..................... PLUMBING PROBLEM....................I have seen this tank in person once and got a quick look at the gut's and did not like what I saw. There was to much piping there for how simple the set up really is. Return line's are coming out of the overflow, there was a TON of hair algea at the top all around the overflow. I could not tell what the overflow consisted of because the resturaunt was open and I don't think the owner would have been to happy with me if I got down on the floor and got right into the sump area to check it all out. I did not really see a proper ATO, there is a second holding tank that is under the MD for RO water holding and it is plumbed at the bottom of the RO tank to the bottom of the sump.

Just my 2 cent for what it is worth.

maybe its tied into the toilets every time someone flushes... which still makes it a plumbing problem.

[StirCrazy]

saying "its a plumbing problem" is not realy helping.

I said plumbing problem also, but pointed to a specific problem.
I know thoues of us who have built our reefs know instinctivly where to look, but think of this as what would you check in a system that you have never seen befor.. which also makes it alot harder not seeing it.

my guess as I said is a syphoning problem (which is a plumbing problem ) but who can say for sure never seeing how it is plumbed. is it syphoning in the overflow system, the skimmer ect? I had a skimmer that would do that.

some good pictures showing the set up and how its plumbed would go a long way to getting help figguring this out.

check to make sure the skimmer discharge is not submerged and if it is there has to be a high point for air to get into the discharge line to act as a syphon break or you will create a syphoning cycle in the skimmer.

Steve

[Captainhemo]

Where is the fresh top up water stored. Even though the ATO is shut off, is there any possiblility that a siphon is occurring from the TO water into the sump when the sump level drops from evaporation. I know it's a long shot but worth checkiing