Silent and Failsafe Overflow System

[browning_boy20]

Well I got my BA up and running last night and have a couple issues. I had to start by limiting the return flow via valve(Reefflo Suer Dart Gold). If I didnt turn it down it would suck my sumps chamber dry. So I turn the flow down then my overflow keeps getting sucked dry by the full siphon. I close the valve more on the full siphon and finally get to a happy medium where its not draining my sump dry nor is the overflow getting sucked dry. I did notice there is an extreme amount of bubbles coming into the sump from the open channel. I shut my return pump off and let the system sit for about 5 minutes and turned it back on. Now my full siphon isnt pulling much but my open channel is pulling alot and draining my box even though my airline isnt blocked and is out of the water. When my overflow box would let enough water in, the OC would pull all the water out again while the FS would pull very little. How high do I want the water in my box in relation to the 90 elbows inside the box? It been being almost to cover them up. If it isnt that high I get alot of air bubbles from my FS and also get a ton of waterfall noise from my overflow. I guess this is enough questions for now and I am attaching a simple sketch of my plumbing layout. It doesnt show all the tee's and etc. but I can assure you the directions were followed to a Tee (LOL). Thanks in advance for the help!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BeanAnimal]

Troubleshooting the overflow is going to be difficult due to what sounds like an extremely undersized sump volume. If the envelope between operating properly and sucking air is that tight, then you are constantly going to be fiddling to keep the return pump from sucking air.

 

[browning_boy20]

It's a 100 gallon sump, maybe I need to put more water in the sump. But if my overflow isn't putting water in as fast as its being taken out, it's a problem right? I am new to the whole sump thing so I am here to learn. I will try to take a pic of my levels when I get home.

 

[akindbro4u]

it should be a balance. Water in should be the same as water out. There is really no way for you to have more water in your sump than out during normal operation. water into the tank forces water over the weir thus into the sump.

 

[browning_boy20]

it should be a balance. Water in should be the same as water out. There is really no way for you to have more water in your sump than out during normal operation. water into the tank forces water over the weir thus into the sump.

That's what I was thinking. Any idea why I would be getting so many bubbles from the OC and once I shut it down it will not start back. The OC keeps acting like a full siphon and emptying my overflow box. That just keeps on and never settles down

 

[akindbro4u]

Oc to low or air line to low or syphon not big enough

sent from under the sea

 

[browning_boy20]

Oc to low or air line to low or syphon not big enough

sent from under the sea

My OC is in line with the rest of them and my air line is held up outside the tank. So I will try to play with my siphon this afternoon to see if I can make it work. Do you always get bubbles coming out of the OC line?

 

[akindbro4u]

My oc creates bubbles at tbe beginning untill it purges itself. However my oc almost never is on. Took a while but matched my siphon almost exactly. 90% or more should be handled by the siphon.

sent from under the sea

 

[akindbro4u]

Why is airline oit of the tank. Should be just above normal operating water line in overflow

sent from under the sea

 

[browning_boy20]

I was wanting to be sure it wasn't going in the water since I have not established a normal operating level yet.

 

[uncleof6]

**double post**

 

[akindbro4u]

That's where air bubbles are coming from

sent from under the sea

 

[uncleof6]

it should be a balance. Water in should be the same as water out. There is really no way for you to have more water in your sump than out during normal operation. water into the tank forces water over the weir thus into the sump.

True, however, the return section is the important section. OP has and "enormous" fuge and little return section. That needs to change, and place more of an emphasis on the return section. The fuge is non-essential, and should not be the main focus of the sump, till other considerations are covered. A very common mistake.

Sounds to me, like there is insufficient water in the system. With sufficient water in the system, the pump won't run dry before the drain system starts working. Only question after that, other than the drain system issues—which are the common type, is: will the sump flood when the power goes out.

Op needs to add water to the system, and get that right, before we can look at his drain system. I strongly suspect he will need to redesign and rebuild the sump.

A 100 gallon sump is a good size sump, however it is easy to set it up so it does not help much.

 

[browning_boy20]

That's where air bubbles are coming from

sent from under the sea

Ok... so its normal. I cant wait to get home to see if I can get this thing working right this afternoon.

 

[browning_boy20]

True, however, the return section is the important section. OP has and "enormous" fuge and little return section. That needs to change, and place more of an emphasis on the return section. The fuge is non-essential, and should not be the main focus of the sump, till other considerations are covered. A very common mistake.

Sounds to me, like there is insufficient water in the system. With sufficient water in the system, the pump won't run dry before the drain system starts working. Only question after that, other than the drain system issues"”which are the common type, is: will the sump flood when the power goes out.

Op needs to add water to the system, and get that right, before we can look at his drain system. I strongly suspect he will need to redesign and rebuild the sump.

A 100 gallon sump is a good size sump, however it is easy to set it up so it does not help much.

I see!!!! so the plan forward is to go home and add water to my sump. Get it running and starting correctly then move my baffles around to get the most water I can in my return for start up. Right?

 

[akindbro4u]

You have movable baffles? Im interested.

sent from under the sea

 

[rhwimmers]

Does anyone know where I can get info on an in-tank overflow with bottom drilled? Would love to get my plumbing done as I did my tank swap last night!

 

[browning_boy20]

You have movable baffles? Im interested.

sent from under the sea

Well, they are siliconed in so I will cut the silicone to move them. Shouldnt be too bad. Then again, I may be able to just get another piece of glass and attach it to the baffles in their current location to give it more volume.

 

[akindbro4u]

Well, they are siliconed in so I will cut the silicone to move them. Shouldnt be too bad. Then again, I may be able to just get another piece of glass and attach it to the baffles in their current location to give it more volume.

is that a refugium, or just a center chamber for your skimmer and such?

 

[browning_boy20]

Its a refugium!!! My skimmer is in my first chamber .