Fluctuating water height (I GOT IT!)

Todd, it's really Will but no big deal.

My ATO is in my return section, completely different section as my skimmer.

My skimmer section stays constant unless the water raises above the bottom baffle then it raises.

My float switch is in the return section at the height I want my water. It turns in a pump that's in a bucket behind my sump. The water line is zip tied (at the moment) to the return line and it is 1-2" above where I want the water line.

My skimmer box sometimes fluctuates but not the tank volume. The hob overflow box water level sometimes fluctuates. Unless I mess with the air lines it does not create a syphon.

I too think that I should put a high water switch on the return pump. That's a great idea. Murphy sure has a dumb law.

I hope I answered your questions.

 

Take some photos of your sump and post em. Include your ATO location, drain section, and an FSS (full sump shot) if possible. That will help minimize any descriptive errors.

If this were kept out of check, do you feel your sump is eventually going to overflow?

 

If the ATO was on and the water was above it and the power went out yes it would overflow. If the power doesn't go out I'm fine. Without the ATO causing high water I can shut the power down and not overflow. I can lower the ATO and have the water level lower but I feel that it is still not right. It's not right because the water level will still fluctuate and I won't get a constant sg.

I can get pictures later this afternoon. I'm at work till 6 pacific time. I don't have any on my phone.

 

Here are a couple pics. They are the best I can get at the moment. Hope they help. Thanks for all the help helping me figure this out.

 

How is your plumbing splitting the overflow to the sump? I believe the problem with a inconsistent water line would lie there.

 

I don't think I understand. One of the returns is split and goes to the Refugium and the other straight to the skimmer section. The other line goes straight to the skimmer section. Are you saying there is a problem with the way this is set up? Super confused now.

 

If it is your skimmer, you can turn it off for an hour and monitor. If the water level stops changing, then you have your answer. If it still persists, then that leaves your overflow, or the ato itself.

 

Thank you. I haven't tried that yet. That will be next if what I did doesnt hold out.
I think I might have resolved the issue.
Because Devin brought up the issue with my plumbing I started to think. After countless hours sitting in front lf the sump just watching the water. Marking on the glass with a dry erase marker. The water level just wouldn't stay constant. I shut the valve that goes to my Refugium and watched the water level out and actually be somewhat constant. I looked around again and noticed a bubble in my u tube that had to of happened when I was messing with the flow and the standpipes last night. After I sucked out the bubble and moved my carbon hose to the Refugium just for a temporary flow, the water level hasn't changed. If it has it has only been within a dry erase mark of a marker. I hope this hold out and if it does I will be hooking up my Refugium off my return manifold. Wish me luck on this and I will keep you posted. Fingers crosses.

ATO is still off as I don't know if this is the solution yet.

Thank you all for your help.

 

Spoke too soon. Just watched it and its moved about 1/32". I'm over it for tonight. Going to bed. I will check the skimmer tomorrow.

 

If it was down then it was probably evaporation ;D

Try blocking off the second pipe to refuge and see if that is what is causing the fluctuation.