Sump levels constantly changeing?

[Delphinus]

What kind of overflow? Is the level fluctuating in the overflow? What about the skimmer, is there one, etc. ?

[othicx]

The tank is a 650g and not to sure on the sump but i'm guessing a 70-90g sump. The tank is a hex with a center overflow. Yes there is a skimmer a bubble king 300 i think. As for overflow levels, I'm not really sure but i'll ask the owner to keep an eye on it.

[Skimmerking]

Well I can't believe u guys haven't figured it out yet it's the skimmer take it out and send it to me. Hehehehhhe sorry had to say it. A picture will help out alot to see

[StirCrazy]

two things come to mind, one do they have an well meaning employ who notices it is getting low and tops it up?

and the second is maybe there is some syphoning going on.. do they run the skimmer 24/7 or does it shut off at times, is the overflow level slowly building up then creating a syphon effect when its all water and drawing down more than normal?

as for temp.. nop not going to notice the expansion of water.. might make a milimeter difference but not realy noticable as the tank water with heaters and such should stay fairly constant in temp.

Steve

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

Well I can't believe u guys haven't figured it out yet it's the skimmer take it out and send it to me. Hehehehhhe sorry had to say it. A picture will help out alot to see

hmm we knew it would come to this.. time to visit the specialest.. I think you have some PST causing you to drop to new lows

Steve

[Milad]

i think you need to replace that skimmer, i have one for trade H&S 1260 200A
dont worry, ill help you out and make a even trade

[lockrookie]

my sump did that to me once something clogged the overflow temporarily then it took off and went normal. so i say a plumbing prob maybe a snail in overflow turns one way its ok turns another and stops the flow.... or water gremlins all the same inthe end

[Delphinus]

I'm thinking the same sort of thing lockrockie is suggesting. Barring the possibility that someone might be topping up that you don't know about, it sounds more like to me that the speed of water in the overflow pipe is not steady state. If it speeds up the main tank drains faster until it reaches steady-state again (but by then it's lowered in the main tank, and we could be talking a minuscule amount for the level to lower for it to be substantial in the sump), and more water ends up in the sump. If it slows down the main tank drains slower until again steady-state is found and now the sump is low.

Things that can cause speed to change in the overflow plumbing are things like excessive bends that are prone to clogging (ie., snail in the pipe or whatnot), or even if the outflow pipe is submerged, it could be building up backpressure. Is there any "burping" happening where water enters the sump?

He just wants to try out another different skimmer. After thinking about it I think
StirCrazy has hit the nail on the head....
Bill

[The Grizz]

Like I said earlier in this post that it is a plumbing issue.