Need suggestions for a hang on overflow

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

well if there is dual drains in the overflow, then you are protected pretty well....as the chances of both being blocked are very low

on the cpr, where does the water and air go?

wouldn't the g.g. restrict flow, since there would be some plastic covering drain?

 

[sjm817]

You can get a LR with dual drains if you want, but it is totally unnecessary. Keep snails out of any overflow no matter what type it is and there is no problem. Gutter Guard does not hinder flow.

The Output of the Aqualifter would normally go down the drain side of the overflow. I put mine in the display where I could see it. This way, when the air nipple clogged I could tell because the bubbles in the display would stop (if I was there to see it).

 

[RandyStacyE]

The deal with all siphon overflows is you want to size them appropriately for many reasons. Lets say for instance just for the heck of it … I wanted to add 2 more U tubes to an overflow that came with one and think that it would give the overflow more reliability. Sure failure. One U tube fails rather quickly, the second will fail soon enough and only one will end up solely doing the job. What happens in this instance is by adding 1 or 2 more U tubes you share the flow therefore slowing down the flow in each individual U tube.

CPR overflows sell you on the fact that they have such a large U tube. They know that the flow is slow and that it will accumulate air and fail rather quickly (similar to the instance above) and require something to suck the air out from the top of their U tube.

It is just something some people may consider as ‘a design flaw’ or something to take into consideration when choosing an overflow.

I may have to 100% agree with sjm817. Now that I think about it I have one standard U tube type siphon overflow that is sized perfectly in relationship to flow and I have another on a larger tank that is oversized in comparison the the flow in that tank. The one that is sized perfectly has never had a bubble accumulate in years. The other one … that’s a different story and that’s my fault for using too small of a return pump.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

well if you only run like 300gph through return pump after head loss, wouldn't they all be 'oversized'?

 

[RandyStacyE]

You do have to take head loss into consideration when choosing an overflow. You could say that the overflow is 'oversized' and by the same token you could also say that the return pump is 'undersized'.

All any manufacturer could suggest is an estimated flow rate to use. If you use way too high of a flow rate then the inner overflow box can become overwhelmed.

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8970549#post8970549 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
well if you only run like 300gph through return pump after head loss, wouldn't they all be 'oversized'?

No
You have to be somewhere in between minimum and maximum
I'll call the minimum 200 GPH (it probably less than that) to have enough velocity to keep bubbles out. If the overflow can handle 600 GPH, that would be maximum. Anything in that range is fine.

 

[steve the plumb]

best is to test it yourself when setting up.I had to much water in my sump and overflow blocked one night and water poored out.I don't know why this happened I think something got stuck who knows then sent the water up and over.I had filled the sump just over the level that I leave.I had 2 over flows with a mag 18 return pump.I had tryed using 1 overflow to see if it could handle my pump.It worked but I was n't to crazy about the water level.This was a test.Its best to try and keep enough water in sump incase you lose syphon.In a 3 year period it has happened to my twice where syphon for some reason was lost.This will prevent a disaster.Worse case you can burn your pump.I still think its better than destroying your floor.I had had water spill onto the power bar.I was very lucky not to have started a fire.I am going to drill my next tank.I still think its the best way to go

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Steve....what type of overflow did you have?

 

[coraladdict]

Boy the more I read the more I'm confused,which is the better failsafe model?

 

[steve the plumb]

Amiricle.Dual overflows with the teeth I also had many snails.I never had problems with snails getting stuck in the tubes.I had at least 200 in a 150 gallon.I still have the overflows and sump but I will go with drilling its looks so much nicer.I found you have to clean the U tubes every few months.Calcium builds up aswell as algea so this restricts flow.I had 550 watts of light with sps lps and leathers.The overflows worked well.I never had major problems but like I said it had overflowed twice but if you set it up properly in case of power failure or syphon problem it won't be a disaster.Makes sure your of your water level in the sump and tank test and make sure you have the proper leaway in case of sypon lose or block and sump emptyies into tank.This will prevent a disaster.Amiricle doesn't have any small anti syphon tube.My friend had a overflow like that and I found it was crap,he had overflowed a few times.Overall I was happy with the product.My friend bought a model from year end stock and he paid $30.Mine came with my sump so all hoses and fitting were included.My next setup I will have a large sump in my garage.The larger the water volume the more leeway you have.I can show you pics of the tank (I kept them as a memory)I don't know how to post them.If someone wants Give me your e-mail I will send them to you.I can also take pics of the overflows out of the tank.I have them in the garage