Water Level

[Midnight_Madman]

J-Tube

[somethingfishy]

If there was a restriction in the return line, wouldnt the drain line just slow down, because it is recieving water at a slower rate?

This is correct. I can tell you that the problem isn't in the return unless you some how incressed the flow of the return.

I would try to snake your drain if you have something to use. Also keep a close eye on the water level because it is most likely rising slowly. I have this happen and my tank overflowed while I was at work.

To me it sounds like the problem is is the drain pipe.

[Midnight_Madman]

Drain Line into Fuge

[somethingfishy]

Are these current pics or old? That overflow looks kinda nasty. This could be a possible problem. Is you drain tube PVC or Vinyl? Is it possible that you may have changed the routing of the hose? That could cause some restriction. Remember this may not be a huge restriction.

[somethingfishy]

Try closing off the ball valve a little bit. This will probably work for the time being. It will also allow you a little more security till you find the problem. I wouldn't want to leave the tank unattended this way. If turning down the flow of your return dosn't work then I'm puzzled.

[Midnight_Madman]

I just pulled of the drain line and it was clear. Nothing in it. Those are pics I just took. I posted a question in a different category about cleaning my skimmer box, because I havent cleaned it in a year. I just didnt know if there was good stuff growing in it or not. would a second J tube help?

[somethingfishy]

I have a built in overflow so I'm not real familier with this design. I don't think it will help because your overflow is limited by your drain pipe size.

[somethingfishy]

Did you figure out the prob?

[Midnight_Madman]

I was thinking about it in my sleep last night and I think I figured it out.
Before I built my fuge I had my sump sitting on the bottom of my stand, and the water level was low in the sump, only about 4". When I built my fuge, I raised the sump about 2" so I could display it with an opening in my cabinet door. I also have the water level about 8" in the sump. This added height, I believe is slowing the gravity pull from the drain, and causing and imbalance. When I close off the return line a little bit, it balances out again.
Do I sound like the New Einstein or what!

[somethingfishy]

Glad to see you have it worked out and balanced again. *Karma for the headache and electrocution afro. [smiley=afro.gif]