DIY hang on overflow box...

[coralnut99]

could it be due to the fact that I used 90 degree elbows instead of a utube?

I would think that to be the case. Though it should hold a siphon, the 90's certainly don't make it efficent. Try a piece of your spaflex (may not make that tight of a bend?), or a piece of vynil hose just to test the difference a smooth curve makes.

 

[Greatreefer]

Thats what i kinda figured. Thanks for the input!

 

[Andrea_Aust]

could it be due to the fact that I used 90 degree elbows instead of a utube?

I kinda think so too ... what you have there is like a flat surface - more like a channel OFB than a U tube. I notice with all channel OFB, they use a powerhead to maintain siphon. I currently still have an AquaOne OFB that came with my MariSys 240 (now replaced with a sump) and I hate the thing.

FWIW - this is the design I am building. I have the acrylic now and the router bit ... just have to cut and glue.

 

[Greatreefer]

Andrea_Aust-

I see that your schematic there shows the sump return lower than the skimmer box. If they were level, do you think it would it still work properly?

 

[Drag Racer]

I think it would still work but slower. I think the height differential makes the water flow faster through the u tube helping to remove small bubbles.

 

[Andrea_Aust]

I think it would still work but slower. I think the height differential makes the water flow faster through the u tube helping to remove small bubbles.

Yeah that's my understanding too ... along the lines of 'gravity' pulling water more, hence less air is likely to be trapped but at the same time the water flow can't be any greater than the return pump.

We'll see how well it works when I put it all together. If I need to, it won't be hard to change the height of the outside box.