Sump pump sucking up sand

[Bigfish87]

Hey guys I need some help originally when I did my water test the water in the sump pump hit a normal level I sharpied that in now the water has not touched that line and the pump seems to be pumping in water and sand into my tank what can I do to fix both without causing an overflow?

 

[mannysmusic]

where is the sand comming from? do you have sand in the return chamber of your sump? Also, you mentioned the water has not touched that line.. Is the water way above the line or way below the normal line?

 

[Bigfish87]

Sorry I'm a newbie is the chamber where the pump is at? Also if you see the picture on the left the water is way below

 

[smartfish]

It looks like you need to add water to the tank this may be from evaporation, do you auto top off? Or does your pump need to be dialed back?

It looks like your sand is coming from the fuge area? You may need to have sand that is more course.

 

[JohnK]

Did you mark those levels before powering up the pump?

 

[Bigfish87]

Yeah I did mark it off before I filled being that would be the safety levels

 

[Bigfish87]

Maybe I need to add more water I was just afraid I would overflow

 

[JohnK]

What you want to do is turn the return pump off, then fill the sump as full as possible before risking an overflow. Mark that as your high level.

Then turn the pump on and you'll see the level in the sump drop as the level in the display rises until it balances out with the overflow. Once the levels have balanced out with the pump running, then mark that levelon the sump as your Low level.

You are probalby sucking sand because the flow the sump is fast enough that it's picking up grains of sand and carrying them over into the pump section. The sand may clump up a bit and more less stop this over some time, or you may need to look into slower flow through the sump, additional baffle(s) or some other means of containing the sand.

 

[Bigfish87]

What you want to do is turn the return pump off, then fill the sump as full as possible before risking an overflow. Mark that as your high level.

Then turn the pump on and you'll see the level in the sump drop as the level in the display rises until it balances out with the overflow. Once the levels have balanced out with the pump running, then mark that levelon the sump as your Low level.

You are probalby sucking sand because the flow the sump is fast enough that it's picking up grains of sand and carrying them over into the pump section. The sand may clump up a bit and more less stop this over some time, or you may need to look into slower flow through the sump, additional baffle(s) or some other means of containing the sand.

Thanks for info John K

 

[Sokretys]

+1 on a more coarse sand. try and find some caribsea seafloor special grade and put a very thin layer in like 1/4" then maybe a handful or two of crushed coral like the size of a pea or so. Then maybe even a few pieces of rubble. will have a real nice substrate for pods

 

[Owen386]

Your water will evaporate from whatever section your return is in. This can range dramatically with the amount of surface aeration, temp etc. etc. Personally I loose about 5 gallons a week more in the summer. You will Thank your self after buying an a.t.o one thing I think is over looked early in the hobby but is very important and convenient. I ran my tank for a while without an A.t.O and to this day still remains close to the top of the list for best things purchased in this hobby.
Remember only fresh water evaporates.

 

[Bigfish87]

What's an a.t.o.?

 

[Trevor]

Auto top off

 

[Bigfish87]

Ok where can I purchase an a.t.o. and where do you install it?

 

[Trevor]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/jbj-a-t-o-water-level-controller.html

And I agree with Owen it's one of the best purchases I ever made,
One float switch will go on your sump in the return chamber and one in your bucket or RO storage tank to prevent your pump running dry

 

[Bigfish87]

Ok thanks for the help guys I fixed the problem I appreciate all your help