overflow box questions

jasert39 · 04/27/2006, 09:54 PM

I have a lifereef single tube overflow that I understand can handle up to 600 gph...my questions is there a minimum flow rate that need to kept in order to keep the siphon going? I i had pump that kept about 400 gallons per hour after head loss would that be alright for the overflow?

tripstank · 04/27/2006, 11:09 PM

There is no minimum GPH to hold the siphon. The siphon we be kept unless you either pull the U-tube out of the water or let the water drop below you overflow box so that it is not pulling water Just as long as there is water in bother the overflow box and the collection box in the back, it will hold a siphon. Also, you shoulf have a ball valve or similar between the collection box and your sump.

jasert39 · 04/28/2006, 04:44 AM

thanks

geo · 04/28/2006, 05:26 AM

Actually a slower flow of water will allow air to collect in the U tube of that style over flow box. not fast enough to just stop the flow but it does happen.

Herbie · 04/28/2006, 06:25 AM

I think that you should be o.k. with 400 gph. The lifereef boxes can flow about 700 gph. Like geo said.........if you dont flow enough water through the tube, small bubbles will start to build up at the top of the tube. In time it will break the siphon! I would try it and see if air bubbles start to build up or you have enough flow to "push" them through. If you have air bubbles, because your flow is too low.........all is not lost. You would just need a smaller diameter "u-tube", to speed up the flow through the tube. Jeff at Lifereef should be able to supply you with a smaller dia. u-tube to fit your overflow box.
HTH.............Herbie

Toddrtrex · 04/28/2006, 08:24 AM

Yes, if the flow is too slow a bubble will form and the siphon will break. That just happened to me. I had just moved and a good amount of "crud" ended up slowing down my T2 external pump. Just glad I checked on the tank before bed. I quick cleaning of the pump and all is back to normal.

HTH

jasert39 · 04/28/2006, 10:52 AM

thanks for the information...is the about 400 gph nearing that limit where bubbles will start to form? Should I consider a stronger pump and put a gate or ball valve in the plumbing?

Toddrtrex · 04/28/2006, 12:17 PM

I feel that 400gph will be more than fine. My pump is rated at 600 gph, it is had really really slowed down.

sjm817 · 04/28/2006, 03:33 PM

You need ~ 200 GPH minimum. 400 GPH will work well.

sales weasel · 04/28/2006, 04:20 PM

I have the same Lifereef overflow. I bought it to replace my CPR overflow. I finally got the CPR flowing and it restarts now with both a simulated and real power outage. Our power went out in the middle of the night last week during a storm and I didn't wake. The next morning, I saw the clock flashing and I bolted down to the basement to find it had restarted. I have a Mag7 that I bought with the Lifereef to replace the QuietOne 3000 that was also a problem. The QuietOne 3000 almost never restarts after being turned off. I think I may run both overflows (one on each end). The problem with that is if one siphon breaks, my return pump could overflow the display. I guess I need a shutoff float in my display to prevent this from happening.

jasert39 · 04/28/2006, 04:50 PM

the mag 7 was extactly the pump that I was planning on using with the lifereef overflow. I was concerned about the about five feet the pump need to go upward before it enters back to my tank. Thinking about having the mag split for two returns...looks like i should be able to do this...great.

04/27/2006, 09:54 PM	#1
jasert39 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: PA Posts: 759	overflow box questions I have a lifereef single tube overflow that I understand can handle up to 600 gph...my questions is there a minimum flow rate that need to kept in order to keep the siphon going? I i had pump that kept about 400 gallons per hour after head loss would that be alright for the overflow?

04/27/2006, 11:09 PM	#2
tripstank Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 488	There is no minimum GPH to hold the siphon. The siphon we be kept unless you either pull the U-tube out of the water or let the water drop below you overflow box so that it is not pulling water Just as long as there is water in bother the overflow box and the collection box in the back, it will hold a siphon. Also, you shoulf have a ball valve or similar between the collection box and your sump. __________________ Not to point fingers, but.................... Current Tank Info: Coral Prop troughs

04/28/2006, 04:44 AM	#3
jasert39 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: PA Posts: 759	thanks __________________ Trust the Process Current Tank Info: 75 gallon RR Display, 30 gallon sump, SRO INT1000, Jebao CP9's, Marsaqua LEDS.

04/28/2006, 05:26 AM	#4
geo RC Mod Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. George Island, FL Posts: 19,512	Actually a slower flow of water will allow air to collect in the U tube of that style over flow box. not fast enough to just stop the flow but it does happen. __________________ I'm sorry I had a fight in the middle of your Black Panther party.

04/28/2006, 08:24 AM	#6
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Yes, if the flow is too slow a bubble will form and the siphon will break. That just happened to me. I had just moved and a good amount of "crud" ended up slowing down my T2 external pump. Just glad I checked on the tank before bed. I quick cleaning of the pump and all is back to normal. HTH __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

04/28/2006, 06:25 AM	#5
Herbie Yep,that one Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Central PA Posts: 694	I think that you should be o.k. with 400 gph. The lifereef boxes can flow about 700 gph. Like geo said.........if you dont flow enough water through the tube, small bubbles will start to build up at the top of the tube. In time it will break the siphon! I would try it and see if air bubbles start to build up or you have enough flow to "push" them through. If you have air bubbles, because your flow is too low.........all is not lost. You would just need a smaller diameter "u-tube", to speed up the flow through the tube. Jeff at Lifereef should be able to supply you with a smaller dia. u-tube to fit your overflow box. HTH.............Herbie

04/28/2006, 10:52 AM	#7
jasert39 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: PA Posts: 759	thanks for the information...is the about 400 gph nearing that limit where bubbles will start to form? Should I consider a stronger pump and put a gate or ball valve in the plumbing? __________________ Trust the Process Current Tank Info: 75 gallon RR Display, 30 gallon sump, SRO INT1000, Jebao CP9's, Marsaqua LEDS.

04/28/2006, 12:17 PM	#8
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I feel that 400gph will be more than fine. My pump is rated at 600 gph, it is had really really slowed down. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

04/28/2006, 03:33 PM	#9
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	You need ~ 200 GPH minimum. 400 GPH will work well. __________________ - Scott

04/28/2006, 04:20 PM	#10
sales weasel Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta burbs Posts: 646	I have the same Lifereef overflow. I bought it to replace my CPR overflow. I finally got the CPR flowing and it restarts now with both a simulated and real power outage. Our power went out in the middle of the night last week during a storm and I didn't wake. The next morning, I saw the clock flashing and I bolted down to the basement to find it had restarted. I have a Mag7 that I bought with the Lifereef to replace the QuietOne 3000 that was also a problem. The QuietOne 3000 almost never restarts after being turned off. I think I may run both overflows (one on each end). The problem with that is if one siphon breaks, my return pump could overflow the display. I guess I need a shutoff float in my display to prevent this from happening.

04/28/2006, 04:50 PM	#11
jasert39 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: PA Posts: 759	the mag 7 was extactly the pump that I was planning on using with the lifereef overflow. I was concerned about the about five feet the pump need to go upward before it enters back to my tank. Thinking about having the mag split for two returns...looks like i should be able to do this...great. __________________ Trust the Process Current Tank Info: 75 gallon RR Display, 30 gallon sump, SRO INT1000, Jebao CP9's, Marsaqua LEDS.