Overflow Boxes, water and sump level help needed.

Wildeone · 04/03/2006, 08:04 PM

I just got done piping my 65G and filled it with FW for a test run. I need a little help figuring out a few things.

My setup is 2 rear holes for overflow with internal boxes. 1" piping, external modified dursos are also installed.

Here is a photo of the back and boxes, as you can see I have valves on each flowbox.

As for the sump, I simply have a Rio (don't laugh) 2100, I am waiting on my skimmer to come in. I have it piped to the center hole.

I can adjust the valves to make the flowbox levels steady, and I have a small hole in the top of the durso. I also can make the system whisper quiet by adjusting the valves. The trouble I am having is this:

I fear that I may have mounted my flow boxes too high, they are about 3/8" from the top.
If I take any water out, my pump section on the sump goes too low and I start pulling air.
If I need to lower my tank level does that mean removing my overflows and lowering them?
Does a siphon cutoff hole in the return line count if I have it piped as I do? If so how and where do I put the hole.
Do I want to run my overflow lines into the water on the sump, it is causing bubbles, is that OK?

Sorry for so many questions, I have never done this before (thank you Captain Obvious) nor have I ever seen a setup in real life. I knew I should have paid more attention in physics!

Thanks in advance!

Wildeone · 04/03/2006, 10:29 PM

Well I think I may have figured it out. I decided that the boxes were too high. I cut out the silicone, cleaned it all off the glass, and lowered them. I have no idea how high they should go, but mine are now 7/8" from the top lip.

I assume that if I lower those, the level will drop, the sump level can be a little higher now.

I still don't know if my piping into my sump should be beneath water level, I am getting bubbles. And I am not sure if i need a siphon cutoff with my plumbing situation on the return line. Thanks in advance.

04/03/2006, 08:04 PM	#1
Wildeone Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Reynoldsburg, OH Posts: 303	Overflow Boxes, water and sump level help needed. I just got done piping my 65G and filled it with FW for a test run. I need a little help figuring out a few things. My setup is 2 rear holes for overflow with internal boxes. 1" piping, external modified dursos are also installed. Here is a photo of the back and boxes, as you can see I have valves on each flowbox. As for the sump, I simply have a Rio (don't laugh) 2100, I am waiting on my skimmer to come in. I have it piped to the center hole. I can adjust the valves to make the flowbox levels steady, and I have a small hole in the top of the durso. I also can make the system whisper quiet by adjusting the valves. The trouble I am having is this: I fear that I may have mounted my flow boxes too high, they are about 3/8" from the top. If I take any water out, my pump section on the sump goes too low and I start pulling air. If I need to lower my tank level does that mean removing my overflows and lowering them? Does a siphon cutoff hole in the return line count if I have it piped as I do? If so how and where do I put the hole. Do I want to run my overflow lines into the water on the sump, it is causing bubbles, is that OK? Sorry for so many questions, I have never done this before (thank you Captain Obvious) nor have I ever seen a setup in real life. I knew I should have paid more attention in physics! Thanks in advance!

04/03/2006, 10:29 PM	#2
Wildeone Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Reynoldsburg, OH Posts: 303	Well I think I may have figured it out. I decided that the boxes were too high. I cut out the silicone, cleaned it all off the glass, and lowered them. I have no idea how high they should go, but mine are now 7/8" from the top lip. I assume that if I lower those, the level will drop, the sump level can be a little higher now. I still don't know if my piping into my sump should be beneath water level, I am getting bubbles. And I am not sure if i need a siphon cutoff with my plumbing situation on the return line. Thanks in advance.