diy overflow

[greenterra]

my duel 1 inch overflow system has been running for over 2 months now, the problem is that one side is flowing more water than the other, I have been using various valves to regulator the system to prevent all of the water from being pumped out of the sump, I have been checking the check valve at the top and it still flows too slow, any suggestions?

I had the same problem.Instead of using check valves I glued a small pipe in each overflow.I than used silicon tubing and ran them to a T connector.From there I simply ran it to a venturi in the return line from the sump.I can turn the power off and everything stops flowing.As soon as power comes back on,the venturi draws the air out of the overflow pipes starting the syphon.It works brilliantly .No need for sucking with your mouth and the added bonus is that it constantly sucks out any air that builds up over time in the top U .I attached a pic to explain a bit better.

On another note.I have read Krylon Fusion is the paint to use to paint pvc.Does anyone know if this paint is availiable in Australia.I have asked at several stores and no one seems to have heard of it.

 

[CHOMPERS]

On another note.I have read Krylon Fusion is the paint to use to paint pvc.Does anyone know if this paint is availiable in Australia.I have asked at several stores and no one seems to have heard of it.

It is sold at Walmart. You can use any brand that is made for painting plastic. For best results, wipe them down first with pvc cleaner or acytone.

Where did you get the venturi's, and could you post a picture that shows them better? Thanks.

 

[Derpeder]

Beautiful!

Keep some towels handy when you start it up, just incase the riser in the tank is too tall. I had to do some tweeking to get the surface level where I like it.

Awesome. I am going to glue it all together tomorrow. I'll let you know how it all finally works out when I complete it and check the system. Thanks a ton for your help!!!

and I think I understand the consept of your water intake system
This one

I'll set mine up and I think it will all come together. If not I'll be back for more questions.

THanks

 

[greenterra]

I used a venturi out of a large powerhead I had laying around.Simply drilled where I wanted it and glued it in making sure it was facing the right way.It also works with the venturi on a powerhead but then you still have to use a checkvalve because the venturi is under water in this case.With my setup when power goes off the air from the return pipe(this is halfway above water level)sucks back into the overflows stopping syphon instantly.When power comes on it does the opposite and starts the syphon.I find because the air is constantly sucked out of the overflows they seem to flow at a better rate.

 

[greenterra]

here is a Quick vid so you can see how it sucks out the air.Watch the air line closely and you will see the air being drawn out.I turned all the power off so I could film it as it starts up the syphon again.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t5cCHtUyXQ

 

[Euge]

i'm kinda of confused by that setup GT. Let me get this straight. Instead of putting a check valve on the over flow you connected a bit of house to the venturi of the power head?

 

[greenterra]

You can do it with a powerhead however the venturi I am using is located in the return hose from the pump in the sump.If you use a powerhead you will still have to use the check valve to stop reverse flow as the powerhead is underwater and it would drain your tank down to that level in power outage.
Using the return line with a venturi,it is above water surface so it cant drain water backwards.When your return pump starts back up,it sucks air through the venturi, therefor sucking the air out of the overflow pipes inducing the syphon.
As you could see in the vid I posted when it sucks all the air out, it still keeps sucking a small amount of water but at a slower rate than it will air.

 

[timdolhelyg]

Thats mine its made of 1.5 inch and it works great

As for running the venturi valve in the return sump pump how would you go about plumbing it up pics would be good

 

[AnDr3w]

That's a nice job!

 

[Derpeder]

who wears short shorts!!!!! JK

That looks very nice. Great job.