$15 PVC Overflow

[moeandicy]

I may goto a 1.25-1.5" setup instead. Hopefully that will increase the max flow capacity. Does anyone know of a three overflow unit???

 

[moeandicy]

I guess I should mention that the pump I'm using is a Lifegard Quietone 5000. Maybe a little much for what I need but shouldn't be too far off.

 

[fishonadic]

Im confused about how you shoud set a sump up. I have a 55g and I would like to turn a old 45g into a sump. Could this be done using only half of the 45g so the sumps only 25g or 30g.

 

[mfinn]

You can use it as a sump/refugium. The more volume the better.

 

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

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Originally posted by Freed
So if I use 1 1/4" PVC I should get between 1500-1800 gph, with a double setup, correct? Anyone?
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Water flow through a hole is also based on the pressure/depth the water is at. The level of the overflow at the exterior point will increase flow capacity as it goes lower (more potential depth). This point needs to be kept at a minimum level equal to that of the internal overflow's bottom point to maintain the syphon however.

 

[Silencer]

Since this is the most needlessly complex drain configuration I've ever seen I am officially naming this the Goldberg Drain.

 

[fishinchick]

So, does water flow into A and N, and out of O? Why is there a cap on R, shouldn't it be open to prevent a siphon?

Who's on first?? Wouldnt it be easier to just pull the tank out from the wall instead?

 

[fishonadic]

How does the water that comes from the overflow not flood the sump. I now that you have a return pump working but overtime would the water level in the sump rise.

 

[richard55]

No the level in the sump can get no higher than the overflow will allow so if you turn of your return pump the over flow will keep draining till the opening is at/below the tank level then the siphon will stop. So if your sump can hold what it normally does PLUS the amount that is above the level of your overflow input you are fine.

 

[lousybreed]

This is the best damn idea I have ever seen. Cant wait to try it out. The only thing i would change is that after the check valve i would put a little airline tubing with another cheapo valve for double insurance. Lose siphon=wet floor.

 

[fishonadic]

richard55: so what you said means that when the water level in the tank rises the overflow will start and the water will go down into the sump than the return pump, pumps the water back to the tank and the process happens agin. Wouldn't the siphon break when the water level drops while the water isbeing pumpted back into the tank from the sump????

 

[richard55]

It is not cyclic in nature it is a continual process. IF it breaks due to power failure it will restart when the pump adds enough to over come the overflow it will restart as long as air has not entered the system.
The idea is the pump can not match the overflow. so the overflow will continually drain say max 400 gallons per hour an d the return will return 300 gallons per hour. This works exactly like an overflow box except your fish will not be able to get inside This setup trades clean lines of a box for a lower profile unbelievably cheap less attractive setup. It operates on the excat same principles. if you make a flow drawing of an overflow box and a flow drawing of this they are the same.

 

[fishonadic]

So now that I have that cleard up I have heard of people using a powerhead to restart the siphon in the overflow if the power goes out. How do you set this up and how does it work.

 

[johnpoole]

i built one of those, then i quit drinking while i did plumbing... that's a great idea.. how did you come up with it? makes sense now that someone else had the brainstorm...thanks

 

[johnpoole]

SILENCER'''' Goldberg ? no one here except me, is old enough to remember looking forward to the latest "Goldberg" design.. i used to wish i could build one of his designs, back in the 50's

 

[richard55]

you use the venturi from the power head and that is connected to a vent in the top of the overflow tub that goes from the inside of the tank out. the idea here is when the power goes out you may loose your siphon. so when power comes back on the powerhead will pull the air from the overflow and your shipon is restored.

 

[fishonadic]

So the hole you make is in the top of d (refering to tboneds diagram). Or do you put it where the check vavle is, or do you put put it in r. I assume that the hole you make has to be air tight right???

 

[richard55]

d and k, yes air tight. there will be water flowing in here most of the time so you would not want a leak.

 

[fishonadic]

okay were should you drill the hole, at the elbow that is in the tank or out of the tank?

 

[fishonadic]

Another questions is istead of the venturi could you attach a tube to the PH intake and put that in the hole. I think it would be stronger and would give you a better chance at having the siphon start up again if the power went out.