? about the diy overflow

[cypher1024]

Hey guys, I've just built an overflow using this design:

When the pump is off, the water sits at the red level, which is fine.

The problem is that while it's running, the water level almost reaches the blue line. I'm concerned that if this is happening while the overflow is brand new, what happens once it gets some gunk on the inside and its internal diameter is reduced? I don't want my overflow overflowing (on to the floor)!!

I'm using 1.5" pipe and fittings, and according to the Pipe Sizing and Flow Rates thread, this overflow should be capable of moving 844 gal/hr. My pump is only rated at 792 gal/hr at zero head, and 410 gal/hr at 5 feet of head (the height of my tank), and yet it seems like my overflow is undersized.

Have I ruined it by swapping the 90 degree right elbow and T-peice?

 

[Ali1]

Use a mesh like material on the intake to block gunk from coming in. Of course, you would have to brush it off regularly so it doesn't build up. I used the material from the fish net, and cut it to the size of the intake.

 

[cypher1024]

I do have a strainer, but the idea of having to constantly clean the whole system seems like treating the symptom rather than the cause.

I'm going to swap the T-peice and the 90 degree elbow to see if that helps at all.

 

[cypher1024]

Quick update: It seems like swapping the T-piece and the elbow did the trick. The water level is still above the blue line (it rises about 2"), but it seems to stabilize and I don't think there's a risk of water overflowing out of the overflow any more

 

[isa.alhadad]

Can this work? Sorry guys, I'm not too sure.

 

[titanfish]

Can this work? Sorry guys, I'm not too sure.

no it wont work. go to page 6 on this thread, the diagram attached by icthius is perfect

 

[ZooMaster]

Quick 'what if' question. In the event the return pump cuts off, what level will the siphon drain the main tank to? Will it be the level of the 't' that leads down to the sump? Or?

Trying to figure this one out so I know how much extra volume I need to allow for in my sump if the power goes out. I'm building out my sump, not sure if I'll be using a 20g tall (I already have and know it fits in my stand) or a 30g (getting cheap and used, not sure if I can get it in the stand). My main tank is a a standard 125g 72"x18"x24".

If someone would like to help me with the math it would be much appreciated. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around all this.

Thanks!

 

[Pharaoh]

If the power cuts out, the water will drain to the bottom of the intake located inside the tank.

The way to ensure that you have the correct water level is to fill the tank and let it overflow into the sump until you have the desire water level in the sump. You should be able to turn on the pump and go from there.

 

[adib_repteis]

wassup brothers!
will it work?

peace

 

[KoiGorgon]

My overflow keeps loosing syphon.. not sure if it has something to do with how I start it or the size.. I'll go through my whole setup just so that somebody may understand what's going on..

I have the skimming type pvc syphon explained in the 101 thread, I built mine out of 1.5".
In my sump is a RIO 2100 pumping into 1" pvc although it gets bottlenecked to go into a UV filter at 1/2" flex tube. This goes up to the oppisite side of the tank of the overflow in a 1" pvc with holes every so often.
My tank is 180 gallon.

The way I start the syphon (not sure really how I should given size) is stick a hose into the overflow and turn it on with my hand held tight around it so all the water goes into it, seems to work. has pretty good suction after that. Only problem is, I've crafted a sort of grid out of a pvc cap and dremmel (love that dremmel) that will keep the fish from jumping into the overflow. Once the syphon is started I put that on the pipe and the syphon weekens significantly, after awhile it's not putting as much water in the sump as my pump is putting in the tank, the water flows over the overflow, then syphoning stops..

!!!