New setup... overflow questions

[kapella]

I am trying to do a new setup with 46gal and 20gal sump. I did not drill and ended up with LifeReef external overflow. This thing had been making me very nervous to the point where I ended up turning everything off last night. The overflow had been making a lot of noise…

My questions are what is an effective way to stop the overflow from making the noise? I already tried the air tube approach and it did quiet it down a bit, but still not good enough.

What can be done to prevent the flood if siphon is somehow lost, or the U tube is clogged and pump is still going?

My pump is rated at 740gph… the hose, I am running flexible PVC from the pump, is about 4 feet. The overflow rated 600gph.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Fish_wiz2]

Don't know about quieting it HOB's are suppose to be noisy.
Not really a way unless your home then use airline tubing stick it in until the middle and suck out air until the siphon returns but if your not home expect trouble (that's why i drilled mine resumes after outage or whatever).
Don't worry about that as long as your water level in the sump is stable it will be fine (the pump might be 740 gph but with head loss and junk it should only be about 550-600 gph).

 

[kapella]

But even in drilled tanks something can get into the pipe, i guess unless you have some kind of net over it.

I guess my next step to get a valve so I can control the fow rate...

 

[ihopss]

I have used a HOB for 3 years,and it has not givin me a prob.
The noise)is there a filter in the back(clean it or take it out).If it is new(HOB)it will make some noise.
You can put a gatevalve on the return and turn it down.

 

[kapella]

Thanks... I am the point where I am seriously reconsidering doing the sump... I guess it's making me very uncomfortable, I even losing sleep over this thing

I am also thinking about what would happen if I leave the house for more than few days... The sump will evaporate very quickly.

 

[kapella]

Ok, guys... sorry for such noob questions... I think I might have major mistake. I am running a pretty large 20+ gallon converted wet/dry as a sump. Is there a recommended size for 46gal tank? Should I go and pick up 10gal or smaller?

 

[iwishtofish]

I used to worry a lot whenever my Life Reef overflow made noise - especially since I live in a 3rd floor apartment ! But in the 9 months I've been set up, I haven't ever come close to losing the siphon.

It is important to watch for air bubbles collecting in the u-tube, as I think this is the only thing (aside from blockage, like a big snail) that could cause the overflow to fail. If this happens, it is usually a result of too little flow through the u-tube. With enough flow, bubbles will whip right through and never collect. Power failures have never been a problem with my siphon. The water stops flowing, and then just starts again when the power comes back on.

Once, when I had bubbles collecting due to reduced flow, I actually tried to stall the siphon by stirring up the water in the inside box to create more bubbles. I wasn't successful, although I probably could have stalled it if I tried long enough.

 

[kapella]

From the research I've been doing, most of my problems, looks like, is the crap plumbing job I've done. So, I've decided to go all PVC, install some valves and try again. I hope I can find everything at Lowes. Skipping from work early today

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12158567#post12158567 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kapella
But even in drilled tanks something can get into the pipe, i guess unless you have some kind of net over it.

I guess my next step to get a valve so I can control the fow rate...

People usually use gutter guard to prevent things from getting lodged in overflows or pipes.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12162292#post12162292 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kapella
Ok, guys... sorry for such noob questions... I think I might have major mistake. I am running a pretty large 20+ gallon converted wet/dry as a sump. Is there a recommended size for 46gal tank? Should I go and pick up 10gal or smaller?

Generally the larger the sump the better, because it increases your systems capacity and also allows for greater volume of water to fill empty space in the event of an overflow.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12165174#post12165174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kapella
From the research I've been doing, most of my problems, looks like, is the crap plumbing job I've done. So, I've decided to go all PVC, install some valves and try again. I hope I can find everything at Lowes. Skipping from work early today

Posting a picture would help a ton.... Here's some pics of the plumbing on my 55g tank with HOB overflow. I made a standpipe which I inserted into the bulkhead out of PVC. Got rid of sucking/toilet noise immediatley.

As far as the water flowing through the pipes, this can be addressed by proper sized hard plumbing along with the use of a true union valve.

If I could go back and redo the plumbing... Which I will do after I finalize my 90g project... I would do a few things differently.

1. Use 1" plumbing instead of 1.5"
2. Instal a true union valve directly underneath the overflow box.
3. Add another ball valve on the pipe which flows into my skimmer section.

A large problem with HOB overflow is that the pipe that the prefilter sponge sits on does not seal completely. Use teflon tape to make an air tight seal around the bottom of the standpipe where it inserts into the bulkhead in your overflow. I removed my sponge completely and use a filter sock at the bottom of my intake now instead.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12165266#post12165266 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
Generally the larger the sump the better, because it increases your systems capacity and also allows for greater volume of water to fill empty space in the event of an overflow.

I meant power outage

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12158882#post12158882 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kapella
Thanks... I am the point where I am seriously reconsidering doing the sump... I guess it's making me very uncomfortable, I even losing sleep over this thing

I am also thinking about what would happen if I leave the house for more than few days... The sump will evaporate very quickly.

This can be addressed by allowing more room in your return section, or by instaling an Auto Top Off system... It doesn't need to be large... could simply be made out of a 5 gallon bucket which would sit next to your tank.

HOB overflows when set up properly, can be set it and forget it... (although I still never feel 100% secure, but that's just me)...I have had no issues for over a year with mine since I got it dialed in. That being said you must explore as many options/failure scenarious as possible. If you don't you are simply dealing with a time bomb.

1. Simulate a power outage... This will help you set your min and max levels in your sump, and also give you the piece of mind that a flood will not occur, and your overflow will kick back on when the power returns.

2. Drill syphon break holes in your return line. these should be small holes (nail size) drilled a little below the surface in your display tank, and will break the syphon and prevent water from being syphoned back down your return line into your sump.

Good luck! My new 90 is drilled in the back... So much nicer... peace of mind is invaluable.

Here's the link if you feel like taking a peek... (aka shameless plug)
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1310919

 

[Ricky1066]

I had the same problem as you I even shut mine down and stopped using it it made me so nervous But IO went out and bought a valve and put it on the drain if you turn it down alittle it stops the gurgling noise and stick 2 cd covers on top of the overflow box it did me wonders and My tank is right next to my tv

 

[kapella]

Thanks all. This make me feel better already... I've simulated power outages on number of ocasions and everything is fine. I will definately drill a small hole in the return line...

I just went out to Lowes at lunch and bought all the PVC components I think I would need.

I am about to do something like this... Any ideas, suggestions?

 

[Tswifty]

looks good... what's the center section for?

I would put the return pump in the larger compartment which will help ease evaporation issues. Also, you will have issues with bubbles entering the Display tank from water cascading over that wall.

If you are not going to use the center section for a refugium then I would put the return pump in there.

If you are, then I would suggest lowering the wall in front of the pump to the height of your return pumps inlet, and using egg-crate to seperate the 2. This will relieve bubble issues, and help with evaporation issues.

 

[kapella]

Yes. the plan was to use center as a fuge. There is actually no wall there, but a netted separator.

 

[kapella]

There is only one wall where the skimmer is sitting and the water is coming out from the bottom through carbon filter. This is a wet / dry filter without bioballs in it.

 

[Tswifty]

Here's a basic layout I would recommend. It leave room if you would want to add a refugium in the future.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12166486#post12166486 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kapella
Yes. the plan was to use center as a fuge. There is actually no wall there, but a netted separator.

I wouldn't use a net... could become clogged. Use egg-crate much sturdier.