Overflow/Skimmer questions from a DIY newbie

orionsmamma

Premium Member
Ok, I know this should probably be basic knowlage, but I could really use some help here. I cannot figure out where the U-tubes are supposed to be on this overflow:

Is it supposed to go into the filter sock:

overflow1.jpg


Or to the side of it, or what? I feel pretty dumb right now, and really cant figure it out. Is that where the filter sock is even supposed to be?!?

overflow2.jpg


Also, I bought a used turbofloater 1000...and cannot figure out what some of these things do!

skimmer1.jpg


On #2, where is the water lvl supposed to be in regards to these tubes?

On #1; what is that tube even for? I have no idea, and cannot figure out its function.

And finally:

skimmer2.jpg


Im not sure of the function of these, but one of them is broken off..is that something I need to be concerned about; and fix?

Sorry for the newbie questions! I have a "hands on" learning style, and its super hard trying to figure things out from pictures.

Thanks!

Donna
 
I can help with the overflow.. the answer is no.. You put the filter sock over the pvc tube in the bottom of the over flow.. the U tube just deposits into the over flow box... then the water runs down the pvc tube in the bottom.. the filter well just sits there and filters the water as it runs through. Here's a tip once you've run it for a while you will notice that you only use about half of that filter.. so I cut mine in half and that saves money :)

As far as your skimmer I could only guess.. but maybe someone else can take a better shto at it. good luck
 
Thanks for the info and tip Critter. Hopefully I can get this all figured out, and not dump my tank water all over the floor :)
 
also you might want to know to get the water flowing through the u tube you will have to use a lil air line or something like a straw and suck the air out to get the siphon started
 
Thanks Ericn; I did know that much lol. The overflow came with instructions, but the pictures are so photocopied that I cant see where the u-tubes sit. The instructions say to not let the utube touch the bottom of the overflow; and so I thought they might go into the filter sock.

Now, I have heard talk of "matching" the flow from the overflow and pump when you first start up...any input on this, cause again, I am lost on how to do this. I heard (read?) that the u-tube overflows automaticly match themselves to the pump...is that true?
 
If you got the overflow and pump together as a unit, then they are probably matched... if not you need to calculate what the flow out of each drain is (looks like there are two) and what the pump does at the head (height to tank) you have. Then its just a matter of raising and lower the inside section of the overflow to adjust where youre water line in the tank and in the sump are. If the sump starts to run dry, lower box in tank.. if tank water starts to get to low raise the box. Whatever you do, do it in the AM and not right before bed ;) So you are sure to give a lot of hours of break in time to allow for adjustments. good luck

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6969896#post6969896 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by orionsmamma
Now, I have heard talk of "matching" the flow from the overflow and pump when you first start up...any input on this, cause again, I am lost on how to do this. I heard (read?) that the u-tube overflows automaticly match themselves to the pump...is that true?
 
Re: Overflow/Skimmer questions from a DIY newbie

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6965906#post6965906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by orionsmamma

And finally:

skimmer2.jpg


Im not sure of the function of these, but one of them is broken off..is that something I need to be concerned about; and fix?



Donna


I plugged these on my TF1000. it just made a lot of micro bubble in my sump.
 
Re: Overflow/Skimmer questions from a DIY newbie

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6965906#post6965906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by orionsmamma


Also, I bought a used turbofloater 1000...and cannot figure out what some of these things do!

skimmer1.jpg


On #2, where is the water lvl supposed to be in regards to these tubes?

On #1; what is that tube even for? I have no idea, and cannot figure out its function.

Donna

#1 is your out put tube

#2 in were you connect your input. this would be either via direct connection to your overflow (I would not do this... can get tricky and may retrict you overflow) or via a Power head. I have a small Maxijet connected here to feed the skimmer.
 
Re: Re: Overflow/Skimmer questions from a DIY newbie

Re: Re: Overflow/Skimmer questions from a DIY newbie

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6976707#post6976707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by latino277
#1 is your out put tube

#2 in were you connect your input. this would be either via direct connection to your overflow (I would not do this... can get tricky and may retrict you overflow) or via a Power head. I have a small Maxijet connected here to feed the skimmer.

I did know that #1 was the out flow; but am not sure where the water lvl should be on these tubes. Right now, they are pretty far underwater.

On #2; I am supposed to have a pump in addition to the rio that is on there!?! There is a Rio 2100 on the skimmer..does this mean the skimmer is meant to have 2 pumps on it?


Good news; I got the sump hooked up, the overflows matched, and my house did not flood last night! I am looking into saftey precautions to prevent a flood so I can actually sleep at night :D
 
the TF1000 is disigned to be Gravy feed via the overflow. Most people do not do this... It's easier to get a second PH and connect it this way.
 
Wow, thanks Latino, I did not know that there was supposed to be a second PH on there. I have a spare MJ 1200, and MJ 900...would these be too powerfull? The MJ 400 is pretty cheap if I need to pick that one up.
 
Even the MJ400 has to be power back a little. the vitical out put tubes should only be full half way. So the MJ900 would be way to much.
 
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