Confused... Eshopps Over Flow / Quiet One 4000

[abenak89]

So... I have what I am pretty sure to be the pf-800 based on measurements from website.. I am starting to wonder if eshopps redid these overflows a little while back as I have an older one with no label on it.

With that said I based my return on aiming for 800gph well I bought the Lifeguard 4000 which is at 712/786gph at 4/3ft respectively.

My pump is at the bottom of the stand. I have a 120g 4x4x2. The pump is between 3.5 and 4ft of head before making it back into tank.

Based on all that.. I should have no issue correct? Well.. something is off. My Overflow can't keep up and my pump drains is portion of the sump and sucks in air. Luckily this unit has an adjustment where it covers up some suction areas to lower the GPH. I had to basically cover almost all of them to get this all to work nicely.

Curious if I missed something... I let the tank run a min to see if waters would come back and never did so that is when I made the adjustments. The hose out the back looks like a 1" bulkhead soooo idk it is working now just not to the max. so lmk if yall have any other ideas!

 

[thegrun]

A few questions, when you say the overflow box can't keep up is the tank overfilling or is the return section of the sump running dry? If the return section is running dry but the main tank isn't overfilling to the point overflowing you need to add more water to your system. If your sump is already full of water before you turn on the return pump then do not ad more water, if you do you will have a flood when you turn off the return pump or have a power outage. If this is the case the return section of your sump is too small and you either need to modify the sump to enlarge the return section or live with a much slower water flow like you currently have the pump set up. If your issue is the main tank is overfilling to the point of overflowing then you need to be sure your U tube that transfers water from the in tank overflow box to the outside the tank overflow box does not have any air in it which would slow down the water flow. It would be a very good idea to add a second U tube regardless to help avoid a future flood. I would have gone with a larger overflow box so you could have two 1" drains out the back of tank overflow box, as things currently sit you are running on the razor's edge and any obstructions are likely going to lead to a flood.

 

[abenak89]

A few questions, when you say the overflow box can't keep up is the tank overfilling or is the return section of the sump running dry? If the return section is running dry but the main tank isn't overfilling to the point overflowing you need to add more water to your system. If your sump is already full of water before you turn on the return pump then do not ad more water, if you do you will have a flood when you turn off the return pump or have a power outage. If this is the case the return section of your sump is too small and you either need to modify the sump to enlarge the return section or live with a much slower water flow like you currently have the pump set up. If your issue is the main tank is overfilling to the point of overflowing then you need to be sure your U tube that transfers water from the in tank overflow box to the outside the tank overflow box does not have any air in it which would slow down the water flow. It would be a very good idea to add a second U tube regardless to help avoid a future flood. I would have gone with a larger overflow box so you could have two 1" drains out the back of tank overflow box, as things currently sit you are running on the razor's edge and any obstructions are likely going to lead to a flood.

Thank you for the reply!! You hit it perfect... as i was reading this it made perfect sense. My sump is too small which is an eshopps sump. All of this gear was from a complete purchase and the guy was not using the sump,skimmer or overflow. So this was me basically trying everything out.

My plan is to run slow for a while till I can get a bigger sump and allow for all the flow! Thank you sir for your reply!!

**EDIT** I currently have the tank set up up stairs (just set it up no fish in DT) but am about to take it to the basement. I am also ordering the drill kit to put in a bulkhead and ditch the overflow box!