overflow flushing?

[Neurotech]

I am trying to get the kinks out of my new tank which is my first reef ready and sump. Tank - AGA 54 corner.
1)I am getting a bunch of air mixed in with the water that drains into the sump.

2) If I top off into the tank instead of the sump, the overflow starts to do this repetitive "flushing", wherein the water level in the overflow goes up and down and with it a flushing sound in the sump. The flushing stops after a while.

3) I do not undesratnd the purpose of the adjustable part of the overflow. It can be raised and lowered, and adjusts the water level in the overflow and therefore in the sump as well. How does this work? where should it be?

Help please and thanks very much.

 

[JohnF]

This site might help you out.

Durso standpipe

 

[Wrench]

Also a ball valve on the drain line will help. I use that in conjuntion with a standpipe and it's virtually silent. Close the ball valve until the noise stops. This will quiet it down but not restrict flow.

 

[Shagsbeard]

A gate valve is much more easy to tune in than a ball valve. Go with that if you choose this method.

 

[Neurotech]

A valve on the return? That makes so much sense. I know what a ball valve ius and they have em at home depot. What is a gate valve?

John F - thanks - I will check out that link now.

 

[Neurotech]

John F - very cool link. I found this info on flushing causes: 1. Drain pipes in the sump being submerged below the water surface to far. Ideally you just want the drain pipes submerged about an inch or two. Just enough to reduce the splashing noise in the sump. <mine is at the bottom of the sump>
2. Any loops or dips in the drain lines if using flexible tubing. If using hard PVC pipe for the drain lines make sure they always have a slope to them, don't make them perfectly horizontal or perfectly vertical. <mine has plenty of loop.>
Seems like I have something to play with before I get a valve. Thanks guys.

 

[shag26272]

mine was doing the same thing I just put a valve on the pump output, no sense in putting one on the drain if something went down it and it got clogged you would have a mess

 

[Neurotech]

I have a valve on the output, but I am not sure that would address the flow from the overflow. I do see you rpoint though. I will try the less invasive approach first and shorten my drain hose to get rid of loops.

 

[shag26272]

your overflow only drains as much as your return pump puts back in the tank, thats how it addresses the flow from the overflow

 

[JohnF]

Your welcome.

I built my Durso Standpipe following the directions on that website and it works perfectly. Nice and quiet.