overflow help

[davidcoral]

So I finally set up my sump and everything was working. However when I got home today I saw a that there were bubbles in the u tube. I had already thought that the bubbles would be an issue so placed a sponge around the opening of the u tube where the water drops in on the overflow. How do you guys manage bubbles not getting into your u tubes?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[magdelan]

Can you post a picture up your setup? Use photobucket. Upload your picture to photobucket and then copy the img code and paste it here... it's that simple!

It will be a lot easier to "see" what you are talking about. However, from the sounds of it, the bubble(s) you are experiencing in your U tube is/are normal.

 

[hey_frag]

Bubbles are a normal part of the overflow process, baffles in the sump are the way of removing these before they hit the return section

 

[EllieSuz]

I think you are referring to a "hang on" overflow box with a U shaped tube that sustains the siphon. If that's the case, you put a length of flexible airline tubing with the end at the middle of the "U" and suck the air out of the U Tube. Questions?

 

[davidcoral]

I have a hang on back overflow. Made by Eshoppes. When I set up the overflow I had used an Airline tube to remove the air leaving no bubbles. Now when I look back I see bubbles even after only 2 hours of it running. What I'm nervous of is leaving the tank and sump running when I leave for the weekend. I don't want to come home to a flooded house. I'll take a video of it and post it on youtube. Thanks for the help already.

 

[magdelan]

Don't Forget...

Don't Forget...

I'll take a video of it and post it on youtube.

Post the link here

 

[RoscoPColtrane]

You may need to increase the flow through the u tune to prevent bubbles from accumulating. What return pump are you using?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

So I finally set up my sump and everything was working. However when I got home today I saw a that there were bubbles in the u tube. I had already thought that the bubbles would be an issue so placed a sponge around the opening of the u tube where the water drops in on the overflow. How do you guys manage bubbles not getting into your u tubes?

Thanks,

Dave

remove the sponge from around the opening of the U tube immediately

 

[EllieSuz]

I had this problem when I first set up my tank and I adjusted the flow through the return pump. If you don't have a ball valve on your return pump, install one, but be sure it's on the outlet. More flow will push the bubbles out. The flow from your return pump will have a "sweet spot". My overflow (LifeReef) came with a sponge that is hollow in the middle and I use it. I tried to take a picture of the whole set-up for you, but it just doesn't show up on camera. It's possible that your return pump isn't the right size for you. Let us know the size of your tank and the size of your pump.

 

[davidcoral]

For some reason my video isn't uploading. I have a mag 18 pump feeding both my skimmer and the 30gallon tank. I chose the 18 because my sump is in my basement. There is also a ball valve on both outputs to control flow. The sponges that I have surrounding the outside if the u tubes are hollow in the center.

I currently do not have a return pump from the tank to the sump.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

*remove the sponges immediately

*it's normal for some air to get trapped at the top of a U tube

*Mag 18 is not a good choice for your application but if you choose to use it expect less than optimal results (ie: high heat transfer, high operating cost in electricity etc.)

*ideally... you want to keep a skimmer on it's own dedicated pump

*to be clear- nobody has a return pump from the tank to their sump. The main circulation pump returns water to the tank from the sump and GRAVITY returns water from tank to sump.
This might seem an obvious principle to some people, but many noobs don't grasp this concept right off the bat.
Additionally, the maximum gallons per hour (GPH) any system can handle is limited by it's drains (ie: overflow).

Certain types of overflows incorporating a U (or J) tube in their design (as well as certain CPR brand overflows) are prone to stall out if too much air accumulates in the overflow passageway.
Air bubble accumulation can usually be kept at a minimum by INCREASING the flow (GPH) going through the U tube.

NEVER OBSTRUCT THE IN /OUT OF A U TUBE