Silent and Failsafe Overflow System

I agree with Doug on everything except the hieght of the airline. It is best to have the end of the airline just above the emergency, not below it. So the open channel making a syphon is really supposed to be the last line of defense, Incase both the syphon & emergency get clogged. On some setups it doesn’t really matter, especially with exterior boxes because of the height differences between the standpipes. On other setups it can cause issues on startup. What can happen is the airline gets covered & empties the overflow box before there is enough pressure to purge the air from the syphon. It is better if the emergency takes a little water on startup because it won’t empty the overflow box & gives the syphon a chance to purge its air. Like I said, it isn’t a issue on all setups but it can be on others.

I think we tend to overthink things at times. Like Doug mentioned, the valve on the syphon is what sets the water level inside of the box but it is actually the open channel that determines the water level. On ghost type overflows with the pass thru holes & exterior box u usually want the water level 1/4 to halfway on the pass thru holes. There isn’t a point in being any higher & if u get it lower then the pass thru holes the waterfall entering the box makes noise. So set the open channel 1/4 to halfway up on the pass thru holes & set the emergency 1” to 1.5” above that as long as it is still 1” to 1.5” below the top of the box. It’s really pretty simple
 
Last edited:
I saw beans original design and it looks like all bulkheads were drilled at the same height. Now I see other people putting the full siphon lower than the open channel. They are drilling my tank now with the picture below. Is this going to work with the bulkheads being at the same height?



8d23ce312fb22f8c475aeb22c161dc37.png



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You can simply turn the elbow down on the siphon as opposed to up so that the opening is lower and it is more likely 2 start prior to the open channel taking in water

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Drilling them the same hieght is fine as long as u don’t do other things in the plumbing that make it harder for the syphon tonpurge its air. So don’t place a bunch of 90’s or have horizontal runs in the plumbing & don’t submerge the end of the drain to far into the sump & u will be fine.

The reason for drilling the open channel 1/2” or so above the syphon is so the open channel doesn’t take a bunch of water before there’s enough pressure to purge the air from the syphon. It won’t be a issue if it’s plumbed how bean designed.

U can drill them the same hieght & It won’t be a issue if u plumb it correctly. If u have no choice & have to use a few 90’s or u have to run a section horizontal then it may be a good idea to drill the open channel & emergency 1/2” or so above the syphon.

Something to consider on your hole spacing is where they will be entering the sump. U want as straight of a shot as possible to the sump. The emergency can enter the sump anywhere so it doesn’t really matter, but depending how your sump will be laid out u may consider drilling the first hole more to the end of the box & having the open channel & syphon closer together then 135mm. So drill the first hole 67mm from the edge of the tank to center of the hole, then 90mm from center of the first hole to center of the second. Doing it that way the syphon & open channel would be as far to the end of the overflow box as possible & gives u the straightest shot to the sump if u are using a conventional sump. U want to do everything possible where the only fittings u use in each drain line is 2- 45’s.
 
Last edited:
That may just be a picture from before u where complete but make sure u add the airline to the open channel. It is a very important piece to the overall drain setup
 
Lsufan said:
That may just be a picture from before u where complete but make sure u add the airline to the open channel. It is a very important piece to the overall drain setup
Click to expand...



Right! I did add the airline after I put water in it. I had to have the airline right at the emergency overflow level otherwise it would drain the overflow before the full siphon had a chance to kick in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I thought that pic may have been from before u where finished. It didn’t look like it was in its permanent place yet. Yes,that is why the airline is supposed to be just above the emergency. Its ok if the emergency takes a little water on startup it won’t drain the box, so it gives the syphon a chance to purge the air. If the airline is below the emergency then the open channel will syphon & empty the box before the pressure is enough to purge the air from the syphon.
 
Last edited:
Lsufan said:
Yea, I thought that pic may have been from before u where finished. It didn't look like it was in its permanent & yes, that is why the airline is supposed to be just above the emergency. If the emergency takes a little water on startup it won't drain the box, so it gives the syphon a chance to purge the air. If the airline is below the emergency then the open channel will syphon & empty the box before the pressure is enough to purge the air from the syphon.
Click to expand...



I am so happy with this overflow! It's ridiculously quiet


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Can anyone direct me to a chart/ calculator for siphon rates of pipe/ bulkhead sizes?

I know I saw one in this thread, but I don't really want to have to search through all the pages

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Quick question.

First of many most likely as I'm about to place an order for a 300+ us Gall tank and I want to get it right.

How much space do I need behind the tank for the plumbing if using an internal overflow box?

I'm thinking 6" but may get away with less if I place the valve(s) down at the sump end of the plumbing.

This will be my first ever set up for marine although we intend to use it as a tropical planted for a number of years first.
 
Gaz_XB9R said:
Quick question.

First of many most likely as I'm about to place an order for a 300+ us Gall tank and I want to get it right.

How much space do I need behind the tank for the plumbing if using an internal overflow box?

I'm thinking 6" but may get away with less if I place the valve(s) down at the sump end of the plumbing.

This will be my first ever set up for marine although we intend to use it as a tropical planted for a number of years first.
Click to expand...

6" is a good starting estimate.. Once you have all the plumbing mocked up then you can determine the exact distance based on the plumbing selections you have made and how you cut everything...
 
Thanks mcgyvr.

Anyone got a page number for the parts list? I ran a search and only came up with people talking about the parts list lol?

Also at 314 us gallons should I be going bigger than 1"?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Plumbing 300 gallon acrylic aquarium
Replies
4
Views
3K
corvinridge
C
rockryno
32gal Maxspect Lagoon Build - Chicago Sunburst BTAS and SPS!
Replies
3
Views
159
rockryno
rockryno
A
Choosing a Canister Filter for 55-gal Saltwater — OASE Biomaster Thermo 600 vs EHEIM Classic
Replies
2
Views
1K
griss
griss
A
Choosing a Canister Filter for 55-gal Saltwater — OASE Biomaster Thermo 600 vs EHEIM Classic
Replies
4
Views
756
vlangel
vlangel
AquaticReefTV
DIY Cable management time lapse
Replies
1
Views
814
S|\/|S
S
Back
Top