A mechanical seal support system includes a bladder accumulator with a first connection to the top of the bladder accumulator and a second connection to the bottom of the bladder accumulator with a device that is responsive to the pressures at each of the first and second connections of the bladder accumulator for providing an output determined by the difference between the pressures. The mechanical seal support system further includes a display for displaying the output in a manner indicative of the volume of the fluid in the bladder accumulator relative to a predetermined volume.