help me fix my overflow

o0jmadr0x0o · 01/15/2014, 03:53 PM

hey guys, i bought this tank used and pre-drilled. its been set up for a some months but the noise is killing me. the sump is a proflex1 with a mag5 return.i have tried removing one of the elbows and replacing it with a strainer, and i put a gate valve on that drain line(worked great for noise reduction) but the problem with this is that if the power goes out too much water would drain out and my sump would overflow. to fix this i should have installed an overflow box, but i dont know how to make one and now the tank is filled so assume its too late for that.

thegrun · 01/15/2014, 04:16 PM

I would make an overflow box that only extends down to the bottom of the bulkheads. Lower the tank waterlevel for a day while the silicone dries. Use one drain as the primary with a gate valve for adjustment, the other one with an elbow for an emergency drain. The third bulkhead on the left hand side should be used as a return.

malcojo · 01/15/2014, 04:25 PM

^+1

I dont see how your sump would overflow. Unless your return line does not have a syphon break. Your sump should be able to handle the water level above those drains. If not than it is too small.

SGT_York · 01/15/2014, 04:33 PM

To do a herbie he'd have to remove or turn down the 90 which means all that water draining down. My solution is to add a coast to coast weir. Basically a Dam that will establish the water height Two pieces of glass cut the dimensions of your tank inside, less 1/4" silicone in place. It's easier than it sounds just takes some time and prepareation.

Also involves draining your tank completely for a few days! You'll have a splendind Bean Animal setup. Lowest hole is your siphon.

Or get a bigger sump.

o0jmadr0x0o · 01/15/2014, 07:02 PM

I have no problem emptying the tank and putting everything in a temp holding tank. and the coast to coast box sounds good in theory, but, i have no idea how to work with glass, silicone, or acrylic. im nervous about getting it perfectly level. and concerned it would be so big in a small/narrow tank.

would a small overflow box on the left bulkhead, the one that would be my siphon, and just leave the other two bulkheads with the elbows as emergency drains work?

thegrun · 01/15/2014, 08:18 PM

Yes that would work, but I still like the overflow on the right hand side and use the left hand bulkhead for a return. I also like the coast to coast recommendation. You should be able to find an on-line vendor who will make you a custom overflow box. Siliconing it in is very easy if you use reef safe silicone.

o0jmadr0x0o · 01/15/2014, 09:05 PM

can you guys suggest any online vendor that would sell a coast to coast box? does a c2c box make a spashing noise with the water cascading down? should it be acrylic or glass? the problem i see with putting the box on the right and left as a return is that i dont think one of these elbows would be able to handle the gph the mag5 is putting out in case the sihpon gets fully blocked. i guess i could throttle that back though.

2_zoa · 01/15/2014, 09:46 PM

Your tank is drilled for a beananimal over flow. Check the DIY section and you will find the thread on it. There is no need for any weir to make it work right. The weir will give better surface skimming. Your tank to me doesn't look level. The reason that's important is that one of the drains should be higher then the other two. It should remain dry unless its just being started or one of the other drains becomes clogged or restricted some how. The lowest elbow is the full siphon and should have a ball valve in it so it can be tuned or shut to where it just can't handle the flow. The next elbow will take the trickle that is left over and the system will run silent.

I admit I didn't read the posts in depth. I'm sorry if this was already mentioned. I'm just short on time and I'd bet your just using it wrong. You already have a herbie with an extra emergency overflow drain.

SGT_York · 01/16/2014, 03:45 PM

Two pieces of glass from a local glass shop they can cut to size. It's really easy. Just spend some time reading the DIY build threads for some good pics/video.

Online holes or something like that has some kits but they are more $$$ and you still have to silicone them in yourself.

01/15/2014, 03:53 PM	#1
o0jmadr0x0o Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: bergen county NJ Posts: 318	help me fix my overflow hey guys, i bought this tank used and pre-drilled. its been set up for a some months but the noise is killing me. the sump is a proflex1 with a mag5 return.i have tried removing one of the elbows and replacing it with a strainer, and i put a gate valve on that drain line(worked great for noise reduction) but the problem with this is that if the power goes out too much water would drain out and my sump would overflow. to fix this i should have installed an overflow box, but i dont know how to make one and now the tank is filled so assume its too late for that. __________________ 75g mixed Current Tank Info: 75g

01/15/2014, 07:02 PM	#5
o0jmadr0x0o Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: bergen county NJ Posts: 318	I have no problem emptying the tank and putting everything in a temp holding tank. and the coast to coast box sounds good in theory, but, i have no idea how to work with glass, silicone, or acrylic. im nervous about getting it perfectly level. and concerned it would be so big in a small/narrow tank. would a small overflow box on the left bulkhead, the one that would be my siphon, and just leave the other two bulkheads with the elbows as emergency drains work? __________________ 75g mixed Current Tank Info: 75g

01/15/2014, 09:05 PM	#7
o0jmadr0x0o Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: bergen county NJ Posts: 318	can you guys suggest any online vendor that would sell a coast to coast box? does a c2c box make a spashing noise with the water cascading down? should it be acrylic or glass? the problem i see with putting the box on the right and left as a return is that i dont think one of these elbows would be able to handle the gph the mag5 is putting out in case the sihpon gets fully blocked. i guess i could throttle that back though. __________________ 75g mixed Current Tank Info: 75g

01/15/2014, 04:16 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I would make an overflow box that only extends down to the bottom of the bulkheads. Lower the tank waterlevel for a day while the silicone dries. Use one drain as the primary with a gate valve for adjustment, the other one with an elbow for an emergency drain. The third bulkhead on the left hand side should be used as a return.

01/15/2014, 04:25 PM	#3
malcojo Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fort Wayne Indiana Posts: 62	^+1 I dont see how your sump would overflow. Unless your return line does not have a syphon break. Your sump should be able to handle the water level above those drains. If not than it is too small.

01/15/2014, 04:33 PM	#4
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	To do a herbie he'd have to remove or turn down the 90 which means all that water draining down. My solution is to add a coast to coast weir. Basically a Dam that will establish the water height Two pieces of glass cut the dimensions of your tank inside, less 1/4" silicone in place. It's easier than it sounds just takes some time and prepareation. Also involves draining your tank completely for a few days! You'll have a splendind Bean Animal setup. Lowest hole is your siphon. Or get a bigger sump.

01/15/2014, 08:18 PM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Yes that would work, but I still like the overflow on the right hand side and use the left hand bulkhead for a return. I also like the coast to coast recommendation. You should be able to find an on-line vendor who will make you a custom overflow box. Siliconing it in is very easy if you use reef safe silicone.

01/15/2014, 09:46 PM	#8
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	Your tank is drilled for a beananimal over flow. Check the DIY section and you will find the thread on it. There is no need for any weir to make it work right. The weir will give better surface skimming. Your tank to me doesn't look level. The reason that's important is that one of the drains should be higher then the other two. It should remain dry unless its just being started or one of the other drains becomes clogged or restricted some how. The lowest elbow is the full siphon and should have a ball valve in it so it can be tuned or shut to where it just can't handle the flow. The next elbow will take the trickle that is left over and the system will run silent. I admit I didn't read the posts in depth. I'm sorry if this was already mentioned. I'm just short on time and I'd bet your just using it wrong. You already have a herbie with an extra emergency overflow drain.

01/16/2014, 03:45 PM	#9
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	Two pieces of glass from a local glass shop they can cut to size. It's really easy. Just spend some time reading the DIY build threads for some good pics/video. Online holes or something like that has some kits but they are more $$$ and you still have to silicone them in yourself.