Fuge Problem - Please Help

OK, I purchased a refugium kit on ebay for a 20 gallon long aquarium. I had my LFS drill a hold in my display tank, and got all of the correct plumbing, and a Quiet One 2200 return pump (which my LFS said that would work fine)

I set everything up, then added the water to the display tank, and filled the fuge to the level it need to be. Well, I turned on the return pump and in a few minutes, the return pump was running dry. I checked to see if there was anything slowing the water from spilling into the fuge and there was nothing.

I figured the return pump was too powerful, so I tried to using a powerhead in place of the return pump. All though it took a few minutes longer, the powerhead eventually started to run dry. I don't think the return pump would be the problem if a powerhead can do the same thing.

I have been messing with this for two days now and can't figure out what the problem would be. Does anyone have any guesses on a possible solution to fix this?

Thanks.

 

Does your tank overflow into your sump? If so, is the level of water high enough to start the flow? It sounds like maybe the tank is not full enough to spill into the sump/fuge.

BTW, how did the ebay kit work out? I have seen that listing on ebay and thought about it myself. Was it a USA AQUARIUM kit?

 

Are there any specific water levels for both the fuge and the display tank. I added more water to it last night, and it still started to run dry. I'm going to try it one more time.

Yea I got the kit from USA aquarium. If it works right in the end, I guess is was worth the $39. But then again, I found I could have had one built professionally from my LFS for $150.

 

The entire amount of water from your main tank can not pass through the refugium that just gets a very low flow then that trickle just drains into the sump the sump gets the main flow from the tank. Can you post a picture of how you have the fuge and sump plumbed ? As for specfic water levels ? I like to drill my sump about bulkheads about 2 inches from the bottom then the return flow from tank will rise and maintain about 5 to 6 inches of water depth..

 

OK, well I finally got it to stabilize, but it's using a aquaclear 802 powerhead. I going to go to Home Depot to purchase a ball valve and try to adjust my Quiet One 2200 return pump.

The guy at my LFS also said for me to buy a one-way valve, so the display tank water won't suck into my fuge and overflow it if the power goes out. He said I'll probably have to get that online, anyone know where to purchae one at?

Thanks

 

It's called a check valve and most aquaria vendors online carry them (marinedepot, drsfostersmith, etc).

Make sure you put the ball valve on the output. It shouldn't be used on the pump input.

 

OK cool, I found one here

Check Valves

Unfortunately the one I need is on backorder

 

GUY at LFS won't come over and clean the mess up will he ?? if you are trying to remove water from the main tank and have it go to a sump unless you have a reef ready or drilled a tank or use some type of anti siphon Hang on type overflow box then you are looking at a flood guaranteed and a check valve will not work .. And unless you have a overflow of some type you will never balance the tank temp and added make up water will always effect the flow from the tank to sump and you have to be relying on siphon to get that water from the main tank to the sump and that is a bad move I'd get lots of water damage insurance..Also ask the LFS if they have any liability insurance for the,m to offer you B/S advice like that.. Most states have on the books a product Liability insurance mandate for bad advice. Thats why commercial electrical and plumbing and HVAC wholesalers won't sell to unlicensed people or contractors.. I may not be telling you what you want to hear ? But yo7u have to have overflow of some type from the tank to sump period. Good luck and you may want to look for a LFS with a perspon who has a clue..

 

Harsh, but good advice