Silent and Failsafe Overflow System

[BeanAnimal]

The airline helps to muffle any air noises in the open channel. It is optional. It is also one of the fail-safe features. If the water in the overflow box rises high enough, the airline will become submeged and turn the open channel standpipe into an efficient full siphon standpipe.

 

[tonyespinoza]

Perfect - Thanks BeanAnimal. Off to drill my airline!

 

[nanoreefbro]

Bean, I've been reading over your thread the past several days. I recently bought a Leemar 233 gal Starphire Tank with your design in mind. Do you happen to have a picture of your sump? Does it matter what order the pipes go in?

 

[nanoreefbro]

I found a pic of the back of the tank but I was trying to see the layout of your sump...

 

[BeanAnimal]

Project Page:
http://www.beananimal.com/projects/acrylic-sump.aspx

Gallery Page:
http://www.beananimal.com/gallery/diy-75-gallon-acrylic-sump-gallery.aspx

 

[MSU Fan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14609140#post14609140 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
Air may be leaking in. How often does the flush happen and how many times does it flush before the system corrects itself?

Sorry Bean, I kept trying to post back on this but RC kept crashing every time I tried.

The flushing was intermittent - could be every 5 mins (or less), every 15 mins, or hours apart. I did say was because I haven't heard it do that in a while. So maybe the pipe just needed slime up? Or the process become more regulated (over time)? Not really sure, but like I said, it seems to have worked itself out. Thanks.

 

[Imzadi]

From what I understand... the flushing of the siphon line, would indicate that it is over taking the pump. If the water level goes under the siphon pipe level, it would 'break' the siphon for a second, and then take it up again. (Trying to understand this system more myself)... Would that mean to either reduce (a litte) the siphon line, or increase (better option) the flow into the tank from the return?

Am I close?

 

[BeanAnimal]

The flow into the tank from the return is fixed. The only adjustment is the valve on the siphon standpipe. The system can "flush" for several reasons. If the siphon rate is too high, then it may pull the water below the intake from time to time. If the siphon rate is too low, then water may build up and cause the airline fail-safe to kick in. An very small air leak in the siphon standpipe could cause odd oscillation problem.

 

[Imzadi]

Wait... Bean... why would there be an airline Fail-safe on the siphon line? I thought the fail-safe was on the freeflow line only...

Don't do this to me... I thought I finally understood this system!

 

[BeanAnimal]

It is on the open channel. If the water rises too high it will turn the open channel into a full siphon and flush the overflow box.

 

[Imzadi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14637540#post14637540 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
It is on the open channel. If the water rises too high it will turn the open channel into a full siphon and flush the overflow box.

Okay... so I DO understand it...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14608890#post14608890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MSU Fan
I believe that its the siphon pipe (not the one with the air hose coming out of it).

Though the flush is on the siphon line... so the air-line has nothing to do with this one... am I right?

 

[aquamn1999]

I have a question. Instead of going from 1" bulk heads to 1 1/2" stand pipes, why don't you just use 1 1/2" bulkheads? This way you don't have to transitions from 1" to 1 1/2" Pipe. Is this correct or did I miss something?

 

[BeanAnimal]

In most cases the bulkhead size is not the limiting factor. The system is capable of very high volume flows with 1" bulkheads. 1.5" bulkheads are much more expensive and take up significantly more room. They can of course be used, but are not needed for modest size tanks with any reasonable return pump.

 

[BeanAnimal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14637578#post14637578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Imzadi
Though the flush is on the siphon line... so the air-line has nothing to do with this one... am I right?

Maybe maybe not. It could be that the flush was the open channel and he did not notice it because it was so sporadic. Hard to tell.

 

[minireef30]

So this type of overflow system will only work with three bulkhead holes? My tank only has two is there any way to set this up to work?

 

[MeuserReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14637652#post14637652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquamn1999
I have a question. Instead of going from 1" bulk heads to 1 1/2" stand pipes, why don't you just use 1 1/2" bulkheads? This way you don't have to transitions from 1" to 1 1/2" Pipe. Is this correct or did I miss something?

FWIW... I have Bean's setup in use on my 120 and used 1" bulkheads AND 1" plumbing.

Im pushing about 900gph through they sump and I have the ball valve on the siphon about 50% closed.

Siphons are cool.... 8)

 

[tonyespinoza]

bean - any idea what the max flow will be with 1.5" plumbing (both siphon and open channel)?

 

[KristyS96]

Hey Bean.. I'm still in the process of setting this system up.. I'll get there eventually

Anywho, I'm having a hard time finding those elbows you used. I find lots of 1" x 1" but I can't find any 1" x 1.25". Any chance you can point me in the right direction?

Thanks!
Kristy

 

[BeanAnimal]

Look for "PVC reducing elbows" http://www.flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?cart_id=7221403.18914*_R5L71&product=PVC-Elbows-Reducing-90

 

[BeanAnimal]

Tony.. there are too many variables to give a hard number. I think if you look a page or two back I answered that same question a few times. The bulkhead size on the open channel does not have much to do with it . A 1.5" siphon (standpipe, elbow and bulkhead) max rate can be calculated via a straight siphon formula...

What kind of flow are you looking to achieve?