Can't get the water level to balance out in wet/dry

[la915x]

I am unable to get the water level to stabilize in wet/dry. The gravity going in is too fast for sump pump. It is a 350 gph pump. Do I need faster pump? I have a ball valve in gravity intake. If I open all the way it can't keep up. I try to get just right valve settings and not happening.

Thanks

[Steve McKay]

First welcome to Reefland.You don't restrict the gravity feed to your sump,if you have a ball valve between overflow and sump take it off.If anything you might need it between the return pump and return.It sounds like you may need a stronger pump,by the time you figure in head pressure 350gph would be to low.I'm stating this not knowing what equipment you have,but should be close.The water can only flow to your sump as fast as the return pump puts the water in your tank up to the limit of your overflow.You do not adjust the flow to the sump,only from your sump.I will give you directions,assuming it is basically setup.1.Fill aquarium to +or- one inch of desired level,the closer the better.2.Make sure there is at least 4" of water above return pump inlet,you can reduce water level in sump later.3.Set overflow at desired hight this is assuming you have an adjustable overflow,don't worry if there is a little water going to sump.4.Make sure everything is hooked up if there is a ball valve after the return pump open it all the way.5.Start your siphon and turn on return pump.6.Make sure you monitor the water level in your aquarium so it doesn't overflow now and through the rest of these steps.7.Once the water is flowing to the sump mark water level of sump with a piece of tape on the outside.8.monitor water level in aquarium and sump.Only one thing can go wrong now,with luck.And that would be if the water level is decreasing in the sump and increasing in the aquarium.Give it time,but don't let aquarium overflow.9.If the sump continues to decrease and the aquarium level is still increasing,turn off return pump.You need a ball valve installed between return pump and return to reduce flow to aquarium.Then once installed,reduce flow a little with ball valve and start over with step one.Keep reducing flow until sump level remains stable.To be on the safe side it is better to have a slightly reduced flow to aquarium using ball valve.This will not make water level in sump rise,only the amount of water going into the aquarium can exit to the limit of your overflow.You should have a return pump as strong or stronger than the recommended gph. of your overflow including head pressure if you want maximum flow.If you are satisfied with the return flow leave it alone.I hope this helps.