Silent and Failsafe Overflow System

[OCJoeR]

New member to Saltwater and this forum. I'm not sure if this thread is still active but here goes.

I've had a small (55 gallon) tank set up for about 2 years. I used the photos of the BeanAnimal system and set it up in my tank. It was running fine until about a month ago when it started acting up. The water level in the overflow box would get too high and the air line to the secondary drain would kick in and cause the level to go down to the normal level but then it would just come back up. I took things apart and checked for clogs etc. and found nothing. After putting it back together and running it for a few weeks it seemed to go back to normal operation. I should note that the pump in my sump has a feed cycle that activates when I push a button twice on the control head. It shuts the pump down for about 10 minutes and then the pump kicks back on. I've noticed that when everything is running right the over flow box drains down to the bottom of the elbows on the bulkhead lines. When it's not working correctly it only drains to the bottom of the inlet of the bulkheads. I posted a photo of where the level is when it's not working correctly.

If I put my finger over the air line on the secondary drain line the level of the water goes down but when I let go it comes back up and causes that gurggling sound when the water level hits the air line again.

As I said, for whatever reason it went back to normal operation but then went back to having this issue and I did nothing to the tank.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction to correct this problem.

Joe

 

[griss]

New member to Saltwater and this forum. I'm not sure if this thread is still active but here goes.

I've had a small (55 gallon) tank set up for about 2 years. I used the photos of the BeanAnimal system and set it up in my tank. It was running fine until about a month ago when it started acting up. The water level in the overflow box would get too high and the air line to the secondary drain would kick in and cause the level to go down to the normal level but then it would just come back up. I took things apart and checked for clogs etc. and found nothing. After putting it back together and running it for a few weeks it seemed to go back to normal operation. I should note that the pump in my sump has a feed cycle that activates when I push a button twice on the control head. It shuts the pump down for about 10 minutes and then the pump kicks back on. I've noticed that when everything is running right the over flow box drains down to the bottom of the elbows on the bulkhead lines. When it's not working correctly it only drains to the bottom of the inlet of the bulkheads. I posted a photo of where the level is when it's not working correctly.

If I put my finger over the air line on the secondary drain line the level of the water goes down but when I let go it comes back up and causes that gurggling sound when the water level hits the air line again.

As I said, for whatever reason it went back to normal operation but then went back to having this issue and I did nothing to the tank.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction to correct this problem.

Joe

Since you're using a BeanAnimal system, let's get the expert @BeanAnimal involved

 

[OCJoeR]

Sounds like a plan to me.

It was suggested in another forum that the level of the water in the sump tank where the main drain exits is too high. However, there is no way to change that without altering the height of the divider between it and the next compartment of the sump so the level in that compartment hasn't changed.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

IF, the above post is true then you have to shorten the drain pipe so there is only about 1-1.5 inches under water level.

 

[OCJoeR]

Here is what the main drain inlet looks like in the sump.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

 

[Breadman03]

If I put my finger over the air line on the secondary drain line the level of the water goes down but when I let go it comes back up and causes that gurggling sound when the water level hits the air line again.

It sounds like you've maxed out the capacity of the siphon line (as desired), but are also pushing a little more water than the open channel drain can flow. When you plug the air vent, you're creating a siphon that flows faster and reduces the water level in your overflow. I'd try very slightly opening up the valve on your siphon line, checking a little later to ensure the change wasn't drastic, then waiting a few hours to see where the water level settles. I spent a couple weeks getting mine dialed in.

 

[boots1331]

Need to silence a 250 reef ready with 2 corner overflows. Currently running a durso and return in each overflow. Wondering if I can convert one overflow to s Herbie overflow . Thinking the other overflow (durso,) could act as the emergency drain should the Herbie fail. Any issues with doing this?

I know this is from a long time ago - but did you end up doing this? I have a 225 that I was looking at setting up one corner with the siphon and open channel, then the other corner have the emergency and return since the tank already has 4 holes in the bottom.

I'm trying to work back in the thread to see what I can find but almost 500 pages in this thread and a whole ton more in the other is A LOT of reading!

 

[griss]

I know this is from a long time ago - but did you end up doing this? I have a 225 that I was looking at setting up one corner with the siphon and open channel, then the other corner have the emergency and return since the tank already has 4 holes in the bottom.

I'm trying to work back in the thread to see what I can find but almost 500 pages in this thread and a whole ton more in the other is A LOT of reading!

Unfortunately, the person you quoted hasn't logged on since 2022.

 

[boots1331]

Unfortunately, the person you quoted hasn't logged on since 2022.

Thanks for that, obviously I'm new here lol. I didn't realize I could see that. Looks like it was shortly after posting here. Maybe they have emails set up still and just never came back because no one responded lol.

From reading other threads it looks like the only issue I might have is near-stagnant water in the one overflow. So trying to think creatively with a non-creative brain (lol) to come up with a way to reduce the stagnant part in that overflow column. But other than that I don't think theres any other reason that it shouldn't work so long as I can figure out the flow info (looks like BeanAnimal never did get around to re-making the calculator - so I've just gotta take the time to do the manual calculations tonight!)

 

[wvned]

A tank with 4 holes was deigned to have 2 durso overflows and 2 returns. That is how large Marineland tanks are set up like my 180. It works fine.

Thanks for that, obviously I'm new here lol. I didn't realize I could see that. Looks like it was shortly after posting here. Maybe they have emails set up still and just never came back because no one responded lol.

From reading other threads it looks like the only issue I might have is near-stagnant water in the one overflow. So trying to think creatively with a non-creative brain (lol) to come up with a way to reduce the stagnant part in that overflow column. But other than that I don't think theres any other reason that it shouldn't work so long as I can figure out the flow info (looks like BeanAnimal never did get around to re-making the calculator - so I've just gotta take the time to do the manual calculations tonight!)

There really is no need to reinvent the wheel when you set up a tank unless.
If you want more flow to the sump than 2 dursos can handle. But the holes for returns in the bottom are usually smaller and not great for drains and you will have to use over the top returns to free them up.

 

[boots1331]

A tank with 4 holes was deigned to have 2 durso overflows and 2 returns. That is how large Marineland tanks are set up like my 180. It works fine.

There really is no need to reinvent the wheel when you set up a tank unless.
If you want more flow to the sump than 2 dursos can handle. But the holes for returns in the bottom are usually smaller and not great for drains and you will have to use over the top returns to free them up.

I already have to buy 100% of the plumbing. The tank is in our living room and there are TONS of threads and other places that talk about how loud Durso's are (was the point of BeanAnimal figuring out what was figured out). This is also my first tank where I am setting up a sump. Ive never had anything larger than a 40 for saltwater.

 

[wvned]

I already have to buy 100% of the plumbing. The tank is in our living room and there are TONS of threads and other places that talk about how loud Durso's are (was the point of BeanAnimal figuring out what was figured out). This is also my first tank where I am setting up a sump. Ive never had anything larger than a 40 for saltwater.

Any overflow system is designed to have a certain flow. People buy huge oversized DC pumps because they are relatively cheap now. Then they cant make the drains do what they want.

But here are some thoughts for you.
If your regular full siphon drain fails, a smaller emergency drain will never be able to handle the flow and tank overflows.
So repurposing the smaller return holes in the tank is pointless.

Triton came along and convinced everyone they need 10x tank volume flow through the sump. You dont, and it becomes a huge number on big tanks. 4 - 5 times is plenty.

I only run these in my basement.

So I probably have no idea what I am talking about. I would believe all the people that said it wont work.
Yes I am old and a bit grumpy these days. Especially on damp rainy cold days, like today. Sorry.
The Marineland 180 has the stock Durso overflows that came with it combined into a single larger pipe to go to the fish room on the other side of the wall. It works fine. The 240 was ordered with holes for an internal overflow. It does flow a lot more but was designed that way. You dont have that luxury.
The 180 has a single 8000l/hr pump and the 240 has 2 10,000 liter/hour pumps. This is not a difference you can make up just by repurposing some pipes. On the other hand the 240 has 4 x 1.5 inch drains and the 180 only needs 1. Everything in life is a tradeoff.

 

[Osman-ist]

No need to big pumps and high speed water flow in sump. I saw even10 times/hr suggested. Seems to me another marketting strategy . 3 times total water volume per hour flow is sufficent for media contact time in sump . With less flow return pump and overflow drain system will be easier and quiet , cheaper, less heat and energy .

 

[wvned]

No need to big pumps and high speed water flow in sump. I saw even10 times/hr suggested. Seems to me another marketting strategy . 3 times total water volume per hour flow is sufficent for media contact time in sump . With less flow return pump and overflow drain system will be easier and quiet , cheaper, less heat and energy .

The Triton system advised to use 10x an hour. That is where that came from.