Overflow

jollyRogers · 01-22-2007, 12:12 AM

Hello all, thanks for the welcome and tips so far! we have run into one problem we are having a hard time with. The overflow chamber is rising and falling, gurgling. the tank is just filled with fresh water now to check system. Is this normal, or is there something to be tweeked with? Any ideas will be appreciated! Thanks!

(Oceanic reef ready, dual factory installed overflows)

burning2nd · 01-22-2007, 07:06 AM

what do you mean by rising and falling?

the water level in the main tank?
the water level in the return of the sump?

are you accounting for evap, every few hours?

the square box, in the corrner? raiseing and falling in there?
pump over rated, or very close to your over flows, max?

lcstorc · 01-27-2007, 08:14 AM

I don't know the answer but am hoping someone else has some ideas.

prow · 01-27-2007, 08:32 AM

no worries easy fix on the gurgling. build one of these. http://home.nc.rr.com/stockmanreef/b...nstruction.htm
its easy, there are other versions of durso standpipes but i like this one. keep critters out, its adjustable and quiet. i am not using the air cap thing with the air line. mine is quiet with out it. but if you go with this and it is not silent enough then i would use it.

for the rise and fall of the water level, i think you are close to your max flow wise on the bulk head. might want to look into that and perhaps get the next size pump down. what size is your pump and how big is your bulk head?

bluespotjawfish · 01-27-2007, 10:54 AM

Do you have a pic of yours?

prow · 01-27-2007, 11:22 AM

well my camera is broke so i can not get a new one. i might have a old one some where i take a look. i have to go to a wedding soon so will check for ya after.

mps9506 · 01-27-2007, 11:51 AM

Prow is right on again

A stockman or durso standpipe will fix the problem asap.

If you don't want to DIY you can purchase them prebuilt from premium aquatics. Also the newer all glass aquarium and oceanic overflow kits use durso standpipes.

jollyRogers · 01-29-2007, 11:50 PM

Thanks to all, sorry it took so long for a reply, computer was down!
we do have standpipes, they are the all glass aqu. mega flows
with one inch bulk heads, pump is a reef flow dart vari flow. overflows are plumbed with one inch sch. 20 pvc. with 45's directly into filter sock. overflows seem to keep up with flow. pump full on. the noise seems to get just a bit quieter when pump is 1/2 power. Thinking Im at 2000 gph.after talking to the folks at reef flow. the tank is 29 in deep. top of overflow is 2 inches out of the water. drop in skimmer box is 2 in. as well.
the rise and fall is in the skimmers at back of reef tank. loud gurgle sound.

we'll keep trying!

prow · 01-30-2007, 05:14 AM

ok first the noise is not from the water. its from the air being sucked in. a 1" bulk head should olny go up to 900gph max. and that is the real max. 600gph is the recomended rate. at 600gph on each 1" bulkhead should keep the air from being sucked in and reduced the sucking gurgling noise. the size of the overflow box comes into play aswell. if your getting a backup of flow anywhere "the rising and falling" it usually means your pump is to big for that section to acomedate the flow. could be the baffling is to tight for your current flow or some other similar thing like too small of a bulk head. get a smaller pump and that should take care of the rising and falling of the water. i think. not sure though if your talking about the water in the skimmer or the overflow. do have a pic of your set up so we know exactly what we are talking about?

FYI-IME the stockman sandpipes are adjustable and way less likely to suck in air, less likely for critters to get through and impede the flow. than other durso sandpipes-JMO for what is worth.

PhilOlsen · 01-30-2007, 07:32 AM

WOW, thats a huge overflow for a 29, way to much IMO, especially if you are going into a fuge. The flow rate for a fuge should only be 4-5 times tank volume per hour.
I would put a valve inline AFTER the pump in order to slow the return rate to the tank rather than buying a smaller pump, you may also want to put a T to divert some of the water back to the fuge.

mps9506 · 01-30-2007, 06:30 PM

If you are using the AGA/Oceanic overflow kits try placing a little plastic air valve on top of the hole in the standpipe and adjust the amoutn of air getting in that hole.
You may also need to play with how high you have the standpipe set. I found the higher it is the less issues I have with gurgling and such from the standpipe sucking air bubbles into the standpipe. Although you might find moving htem down will help.
FWIW we had no issues pushing 1800 gph through dual oceanic megaflows...
So maybe you'll have to dial it back a tad bit with a valve.

garret · 05-06-2007, 08:09 PM

if its a built in overflow i have been their mine has done it to i thought it was an air problem that not enough ait was getting in the line, all i did was clean it good and mess with the ball valve in the return line

01-22-2007, 12:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
jollyRogers Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	Overflow Hello all, thanks for the welcome and tips so far! we have run into one problem we are having a hard time with. The overflow chamber is rising and falling, gurgling. the tank is just filled with fresh water now to check system. Is this normal, or is there something to be tweeked with? Any ideas will be appreciated! Thanks! (Oceanic reef ready, dual factory installed overflows)

01-22-2007, 07:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
burning2nd Acropora Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pocono PA Posts: 1,802 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Overflow what do you mean by rising and falling? the water level in the main tank? the water level in the return of the sump? are you accounting for evap, every few hours? the square box, in the corrner? raiseing and falling in there? pump over rated, or very close to your over flows, max? __________________ ________________________________________________ 30g, 10g DIY sump w/ mag7 Csr90 over flow. 36" sunpod 2x150 2 Tunze 6020 40 Lb's Live Rock 20 lb's of Ls Aqua C REmora mIxed reef, softies, pora's, clams, 1 Amphiprion ocellaris (hosting GTA) 2 cromies and one dragon jake the jedi sexy shrimp, and brown bob

01-27-2007, 08:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 16,455 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Overflow I don't know the answer but am hoping someone else has some ideas. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g Jawfish enjoyment ASM answer girl. Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

01-27-2007, 08:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
prow Manta Ray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 3,771 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Overflow no worries easy fix on the gurgling. build one of these. http://home.nc.rr.com/stockmanreef/b...nstruction.htm its easy, there are other versions of durso standpipes but i like this one. keep critters out, its adjustable and quiet. i am not using the air cap thing with the air line. mine is quiet with out it. but if you go with this and it is not silent enough then i would use it. for the rise and fall of the water level, i think you are close to your max flow wise on the bulk head. might want to look into that and perhaps get the next size pump down. what size is your pump and how big is your bulk head?

01-27-2007, 10:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Manta Ray Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 3,838 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Overflow Do you have a pic of yours? __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow

01-27-2007, 11:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
prow Manta Ray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 3,771 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Overflow well my camera is broke so i can not get a new one. i might have a old one some where i take a look. i have to go to a wedding soon so will check for ya after.

01-27-2007, 11:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlotte and Wilmington, NC Posts: 6,862 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Overflow Prow is right on again A stockman or durso standpipe will fix the problem asap. If you don't want to DIY you can purchase them prebuilt from premium aquatics. Also the newer all glass aquarium and oceanic overflow kits use durso standpipes. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

01-29-2007, 11:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
jollyRogers Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Overflow Thanks to all, sorry it took so long for a reply, computer was down! we do have standpipes, they are the all glass aqu. mega flows with one inch bulk heads, pump is a reef flow dart vari flow. overflows are plumbed with one inch sch. 20 pvc. with 45's directly into filter sock. overflows seem to keep up with flow. pump full on. the noise seems to get just a bit quieter when pump is 1/2 power. Thinking Im at 2000 gph.after talking to the folks at reef flow. the tank is 29 in deep. top of overflow is 2 inches out of the water. drop in skimmer box is 2 in. as well. the rise and fall is in the skimmers at back of reef tank. loud gurgle sound. we'll keep trying!

01-30-2007, 05:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
prow Manta Ray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 3,771 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Overflow ok first the noise is not from the water. its from the air being sucked in. a 1" bulk head should olny go up to 900gph max. and that is the real max. 600gph is the recomended rate. at 600gph on each 1" bulkhead should keep the air from being sucked in and reduced the sucking gurgling noise. the size of the overflow box comes into play aswell. if your getting a backup of flow anywhere "the rising and falling" it usually means your pump is to big for that section to acomedate the flow. could be the baffling is to tight for your current flow or some other similar thing like too small of a bulk head. get a smaller pump and that should take care of the rising and falling of the water. i think. not sure though if your talking about the water in the skimmer or the overflow. do have a pic of your set up so we know exactly what we are talking about? FYI-IME the stockman sandpipes are adjustable and way less likely to suck in air, less likely for critters to get through and impede the flow. than other durso sandpipes-JMO for what is worth.

01-30-2007, 07:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
PhilOlsen Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife) Posts: 646 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Overflow WOW, thats a huge overflow for a 29, way to much IMO, especially if you are going into a fuge. The flow rate for a fuge should only be 4-5 times tank volume per hour. I would put a valve inline AFTER the pump in order to slow the return rate to the tank rather than buying a smaller pump, you may also want to put a T to divert some of the water back to the fuge.

01-30-2007, 06:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlotte and Wilmington, NC Posts: 6,862 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Overflow If you are using the AGA/Oceanic overflow kits try placing a little plastic air valve on top of the hole in the standpipe and adjust the amoutn of air getting in that hole. You may also need to play with how high you have the standpipe set. I found the higher it is the less issues I have with gurgling and such from the standpipe sucking air bubbles into the standpipe. Although you might find moving htem down will help. FWIW we had no issues pushing 1800 gph through dual oceanic megaflows... So maybe you'll have to dial it back a tad bit with a valve. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

05-06-2007, 08:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
garret Bryozoan Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 57 View Gallery Karma Komment	i have been there if its a built in overflow i have been their mine has done it to i thought it was an air problem that not enough ait was getting in the line, all i did was clean it good and mess with the ball valve in the return line

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