drain line issues

[polarbear]

So I moved my refugium under my tank and now that thedrain does not have to run that far before dumping into the refugium I amhaving trouble with the filter sock overflowing and causing a lot of foam. Icurrently have my drain line going about 3in under the surface of the water inthe refugium. Is this causing the problem? Should I cut the drain line offabove the water line so that it pours into the filter sock but doesn’t causefoam to form in the filter sock? Any help you be nice. Thanks.

[FireWater]

You don't want it above the water, it will be loud. If anything I would make it longer and try putting a 90 degree elbow at the end. It will "slow" the drain water a little. It sounds like the foam is caused by the force the water is hitting with and the fact that a lot of air is trapped.

[polarbear]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try this and see what happens.

[Bill S]

I'd also vote on the trapped air. But, you shouldn't get that much foam - it's from dissolved organics. Are you running a skimmer? Or ozone? That will help.

Also, how is your drain set up from the top - does it have a durso or some other type of solution to let trapped air escape back up the drain?

[Dean]

It sounds like the flow rate is too high where the drain dumps into the sock. I bet the elbow on the end helps out. If not you may need to install a tee near the end of the drain and a second filter sock if you have the room. You definitely don't want to shorten it, that would likely cause excessive splashing and water splatter.

[polarbear]

Im not sure what your talking about but my drain does have a spot on the very top that has a hole in it. I do run a skimmer on the tank. I never had the problem before. I think it is just draining to fast becuase its only about 3 feet to the refugium where as before it went through the wall before draining. Ill add the elbow to see if that helps. I also added a new filter sock that I made and it seems to be working a little better.


I'd also vote on the trapped air. But, you shouldn't get that much foam - it's from dissolved organics. Are you running a skimmer? Or ozone? That will help.

Also, how is your drain set up from the top - does it have a durso or some other type of solution to let trapped air escape back up the drain?

[Bill S]

Your drain has a hole at the top? Try putting a piece of rigid tubing down it (ro or icemaker tubing works fin). It will help your drain to "burp" trapped air. It will be much quieter, and less turbulence (and therefore foam).