Need help to avoid a flood!
- Thread starter boogs79
- Start date
Tomoko Schum
New member
Here's some pointers by beaslbob:
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I am sure the club members will help out boogs79 is adjusting his sump.
but I couldn't resist because of the floods i had when I first setup my sump.
1) insure the return lines have either outputs or small drilled holes above the water line to suck air when power is out.
2) Fill the sump with just enough water to cover the pump intake a little bit when running.
3) Then kill the power to make sure the sump does not flood .
4) if it does get a bigger, taller sump or lower the pump intake in the sump
5) add water to say 1/2" or so below the flood level on the sump.
6) restart the power to insure normal operation returns.
7) fail the overflow by breaking siphon or (for drilled tanks) plugging the overflow pipe.
8) if the display floods lower the tank level or remove water from the sump.
9) repeat power outs and overflow failures until no flooding occurs.
10) with power on mark the water level in the sump.
11) always add water with the system running and never above that mark.
That sound good?
just my banned .02
Bob
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I am sure the club members will help out boogs79 is adjusting his sump.
but I couldn't resist because of the floods i had when I first setup my sump.
1) insure the return lines have either outputs or small drilled holes above the water line to suck air when power is out.
2) Fill the sump with just enough water to cover the pump intake a little bit when running.
3) Then kill the power to make sure the sump does not flood .
4) if it does get a bigger, taller sump or lower the pump intake in the sump
5) add water to say 1/2" or so below the flood level on the sump.
6) restart the power to insure normal operation returns.
7) fail the overflow by breaking siphon or (for drilled tanks) plugging the overflow pipe.
8) if the display floods lower the tank level or remove water from the sump.
9) repeat power outs and overflow failures until no flooding occurs.
10) with power on mark the water level in the sump.
11) always add water with the system running and never above that mark.
That sound good?
just my banned .02
Bob
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Tomoko Schum
New member
Some people use an Aqua Lifter pump (a small vacuum pump). I heard that a CPR type overflow box uses one of those. Which brand box did you get? Some overflow box designs allow some water to remain in the box so that you don't have to prime it every time power goes out. Not all overflow boxes are made equally well. I wonder what brand H@rry uses. He said that he never had any problem with his. I doubt he uses any pump for his.
Tomoko
Tomoko
Tomoko Schum
New member
I hope you did not buy a Tidepool SOS overflow box. John used to have floods in his reef shop frequently because of the overflow boxes.
It looks like this:
If that is what you bought, I'd return it.
Tomoko
It looks like this:
If that is what you bought, I'd return it.
Tomoko
It is tinted, but it looks different than that. I still haven't ruled out getting my tank drilled , I just no thrilled about emptying my tank while it is being drilled. Now would be the best time do get it drilled since I just have a few items in the tank!
What to do...What to do?
What to do...What to do?
Tomoko Schum
New member
I heard a number of good thing about Lifereef overflow boxes. However, it's a bit pricey. It makes sense to get your tank drilled for 20 dollars a hole rather than spending over 100 dollars for an overflow box.
Robert on this list is getting his tank drilled at Ocea and getting a sump for an extremely good price. If you have only a few things in your tank, you can empty your tank inhabitants temporarily into a large container and get your tank drilled. Make sure that your tank is not made of tempered glass on all sides. The bottom is often tempered.
Tomoko
Robert on this list is getting his tank drilled at Ocea and getting a sump for an extremely good price. If you have only a few things in your tank, you can empty your tank inhabitants temporarily into a large container and get your tank drilled. Make sure that your tank is not made of tempered glass on all sides. The bottom is often tempered.
Tomoko
Tomoko Schum
New member
I don't know myself, but older tanks are usually not tempered on all sides although the bottom is often tempered. Do you know who is the manufacturer of your tank? I heard that Perfecto started using tempered glass on all sides and bottom recently (within the last few years). I am not sure if a glass shop can tell.
By the way, here's another comment for the banned one (beaslbob):
"I think one of the keys is to use an overflow with the round utube siphon. that keeps the water flowing at a high rate wo less bubbles accumulate. At least compared to overflows that are rectangular in cross section. or ling the long square types.
I also have epoxied an air tap at the top of mine to suck out air from time to time as well as get the siphon started in the first place.
If they have not purcased an overflow yet, perhaps one of the beaslbob mad scientist type made from pvc would work. LOL
At least they are less expensive.
Bob"
By the way, here's another comment for the banned one (beaslbob):
"I think one of the keys is to use an overflow with the round utube siphon. that keeps the water flowing at a high rate wo less bubbles accumulate. At least compared to overflows that are rectangular in cross section. or ling the long square types.
I also have epoxied an air tap at the top of mine to suck out air from time to time as well as get the siphon started in the first place.
If they have not purcased an overflow yet, perhaps one of the beaslbob mad scientist type made from pvc would work. LOL
At least they are less expensive.
Bob"
Tomoko Schum
New member
Here's a link to Lifereef site.
I suspect that there are other fine overflow boxes, too. I don't know which one is considered really good nowadays since I don't use one.
I hope a user will chime in and let you know.
Tomoko
I suspect that there are other fine overflow boxes, too. I don't know which one is considered really good nowadays since I don't use one.
I hope a user will chime in and let you know.
Tomoko
brandon2432
New member
I have never had a problem with my overflow it is the eshoppes brand 1200gph the key is the tubes go into the middle section and overflows into another section to drain. so when the power goes out the tube holds the siphon. the only time you have to reprime is when you pull the tube out of the water or start for first time. If you get bubbles than you are not returning enough water. I am only running one tube 600 gph right now because of this. Other than that no problems. but most important I have never had a flood. I also have a small hole in the return line just above the surface to prevent the back siphon if the power goes out. Hope this is helpful
tangsrbest
New member
all over flow box's i've used would build air pockets in the siphon
i prevent this prob and assure the siphon restarts in a power outage
by drilling a hole just large enough to glue a air line then connect
to a power head using its air inject site this keeps flow free from air
and at full capacity at all times and will work with any type siphon box
i currently use the powerhead powering my hang on refugeium
i prevent this prob and assure the siphon restarts in a power outage
by drilling a hole just large enough to glue a air line then connect
to a power head using its air inject site this keeps flow free from air
and at full capacity at all times and will work with any type siphon box
i currently use the powerhead powering my hang on refugeium
tangsrbest
New member
if you have a 55 or larger tank with fairly thin glass its temperd
some will be marked on the bottom glass
some will be marked on the bottom glass
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