diy overflow

coolkeith

Candiru
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Nov 1, 2005
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outlaw;1382199; said:
okay ive read this thread in the past and i remember there was some discussion about a continuous syhphon at the check valve to keep air from building up in the top of the pipes. what if you took a powerhead and connected the little air line to the check valve, would that be enough pull to keep air from building up in the pipe? just a thought AO
I tried this and it doesn't work that well. The airline check valves will malfunction because they are not designed for water. If you just connect the venturi hose to the pipe without the check valve then the venturi action will work. That's how I've been running mine. There are pics of mine in this thread somewhere.
 

batang_mcdo

Polypterus
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Apr 24, 2006
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need advice/suggestions. I've made 2 overflow , both are identical.
one works, while the other doesn't at first water flowed thru both of them.
but then the other one stopped working after a few minutes?
I've tried sucking on the pipe. and noticed that when i suck the check valve on top there seems to be air that got in?
what could be the problem? can i use silicone sealant to reseal the connections of the pipes and elbows?

the other one is working. but when i turned off the powerhead and flow totally stops. it doesn;'t start again by its own :( i have to suck on the check valve.
 

CHOMPERS

Silver Tier VIP
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Apr 28, 2006
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They are leaking air somewhere. It would be a good idea to add additional glue to the joints. You will need to dry them off first because the glue doesn't work well in the presence of water.

Also, post a picture of the overflows on the tank. It will help us review your final product in action.
 

batang_mcdo

Polypterus
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Apr 24, 2006
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CHOMPERS;1383145;1383145 said:
They are leaking air somewhere. It would be a good idea to add additional glue to the joints. You will need to dry them off first because the glue doesn't work well in the presence of water.

Also, post a picture of the overflows on the tank. It will help us review your final product in action.
Hi,

Here's a picture of the working one, but when i turn off the power and turn it back on, the water doesn't flow again. I have to suck on the check valve first.



see anything worng with the measurement?

thanks.
 

CHOMPERS

Silver Tier VIP
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It looks good from here but I have two possibilities.

The check valve may be leaking. Put a piece of air line on it and have someone crimp it while you shut the system down. If that solves the problem, replace the check valves. If not, try resealing them.

The other thing is they may be running too fast and drawing air. Restrict the output with your thumb and shut it down. When the water stops flowing, remove your thumb and restart it. If this is the problem, either add a ball valve to the outputs or rebuild with larger pipe.
 

Dr Joe

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Mar 8, 2006
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If the check valves are leaking, add a piece of tubing with a needle air control valve to shut the air flow off when your not extracting air from the piping. Alternately, put a long piece of tubing on the check valve and place the other end back in the tank so it will suck water up if check valve is leaking (good for testing anyway).

Dr Joe

.
 

batang_mcdo

Polypterus
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Apr 24, 2006
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thanks Ron, Dr joe :)
I've resealed the joints with silicone. also I've drilled a bigger gole for the check valve and reattached it. since it cam off. i think it was not attached properly :D
will try again.
 

batang_mcdo

Polypterus
MFK Member
Apr 24, 2006
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noth are working now.
but do you see anything wrong with their flow rate?



flow doesn't seemto be that strong?
 
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