overflow flushing?

Neurotech · 04/21/2007, 08:30 AM

I am trying to get the kinks out of my new tank which is my first reef ready and sump. Tank - AGA 54 corner.
1)I am getting a bunch of air mixed in with the water that drains into the sump.

2) If I top off into the tank instead of the sump, the overflow starts to do this repetitive "flushing", wherein the water level in the overflow goes up and down and with it a flushing sound in the sump. The flushing stops after a while.

3) I do not undesratnd the purpose of the adjustable part of the overflow. It can be raised and lowered, and adjusts the water level in the overflow and therefore in the sump as well. How does this work? where should it be?

Help please and thanks very much.

JohnF · 04/21/2007, 09:28 AM

This site might help you out.

Durso standpipe

Wrench · 04/21/2007, 10:28 AM

Also a ball valve on the drain line will help. I use that in conjuntion with a standpipe and it's virtually silent. Close the ball valve until the noise stops. This will quiet it down but not restrict flow.

Shagsbeard · 04/21/2007, 12:08 PM

A gate valve is much more easy to tune in than a ball valve. Go with that if you choose this method.

Neurotech · 04/21/2007, 03:08 PM

A valve on the return? That makes so much sense. I know what a ball valve ius and they have em at home depot. What is a gate valve?

John F - thanks - I will check out that link now.

Neurotech · 04/21/2007, 03:14 PM

John F - very cool link. I found this info on flushing causes: 1. Drain pipes in the sump being submerged below the water surface to far. Ideally you just want the drain pipes submerged about an inch or two. Just enough to reduce the splashing noise in the sump.
2. Any loops or dips in the drain lines if using flexible tubing. If using hard PVC pipe for the drain lines make sure they always have a slope to them, don't make them perfectly horizontal or perfectly vertical.
Seems like I have something to play with before I get a valve. Thanks guys.

shag26272 · 04/21/2007, 03:53 PM

mine was doing the same thing I just put a valve on the pump output, no sense in putting one on the drain if something went down it and it got clogged you would have a mess

Neurotech · 04/21/2007, 03:58 PM

I have a valve on the output, but I am not sure that would address the flow from the overflow. I do see you rpoint though. I will try the less invasive approach first and shorten my drain hose to get rid of loops.

shag26272 · 04/21/2007, 04:00 PM

your overflow only drains as much as your return pump puts back in the tank, thats how it addresses the flow from the overflow

JohnF · 04/21/2007, 04:17 PM

Your welcome.

I built my Durso Standpipe following the directions on that website and it works perfectly. Nice and quiet.

04/21/2007, 08:30 AM	#1
Neurotech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 870	overflow flushing? I am trying to get the kinks out of my new tank which is my first reef ready and sump. Tank - AGA 54 corner. 1)I am getting a bunch of air mixed in with the water that drains into the sump. 2) If I top off into the tank instead of the sump, the overflow starts to do this repetitive "flushing", wherein the water level in the overflow goes up and down and with it a flushing sound in the sump. The flushing stops after a while. 3) I do not undesratnd the purpose of the adjustable part of the overflow. It can be raised and lowered, and adjusts the water level in the overflow and therefore in the sump as well. How does this work? where should it be? Help please and thanks very much. __________________ Boneh Current Tank Info: 2 54 corner tanks. 1 2X65 PC and 1 250 watt 20K MH.

04/21/2007, 09:28 AM	#2
JohnF Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 62	This site might help you out. Durso standpipe __________________ 90 gal RR Miracle BK Mini 200 Skimmer 2x Tunze 6100 Turbelle Stream Tunze 7095 Multicontroller Tunze 3155 Ozmolator 2X 250 watt MH Purely H2O RO/DI Custom Stand Basement Sump Current Tank Info: 90 RR Bare Bottom

04/21/2007, 03:08 PM	#5
Neurotech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 870	A valve on the return? That makes so much sense. I know what a ball valve ius and they have em at home depot. What is a gate valve? John F - thanks - I will check out that link now. __________________ Boneh Current Tank Info: 2 54 corner tanks. 1 2X65 PC and 1 250 watt 20K MH.

04/21/2007, 03:14 PM	#6
Neurotech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 870	John F - very cool link. I found this info on flushing causes: 1. Drain pipes in the sump being submerged below the water surface to far. Ideally you just want the drain pipes submerged about an inch or two. Just enough to reduce the splashing noise in the sump. 2. Any loops or dips in the drain lines if using flexible tubing. If using hard PVC pipe for the drain lines make sure they always have a slope to them, don't make them perfectly horizontal or perfectly vertical. Seems like I have something to play with before I get a valve. Thanks guys. __________________ Boneh Current Tank Info: 2 54 corner tanks. 1 2X65 PC and 1 250 watt 20K MH.

04/21/2007, 03:53 PM	#7
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	mine was doing the same thing I just put a valve on the pump output, no sense in putting one on the drain if something went down it and it got clogged you would have a mess __________________ .

04/21/2007, 10:28 AM	#3
Wrench Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,004	Also a ball valve on the drain line will help. I use that in conjuntion with a standpipe and it's virtually silent. Close the ball valve until the noise stops. This will quiet it down but not restrict flow.

04/21/2007, 12:08 PM	#4
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	A gate valve is much more easy to tune in than a ball valve. Go with that if you choose this method.

04/21/2007, 03:58 PM	#8
Neurotech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 870	I have a valve on the output, but I am not sure that would address the flow from the overflow. I do see you rpoint though. I will try the less invasive approach first and shorten my drain hose to get rid of loops. __________________ Boneh Current Tank Info: 2 54 corner tanks. 1 2X65 PC and 1 250 watt 20K MH.

04/21/2007, 04:00 PM	#9
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	your overflow only drains as much as your return pump puts back in the tank, thats how it addresses the flow from the overflow __________________ .

04/21/2007, 04:17 PM	#10
JohnF Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 62	Your welcome. I built my Durso Standpipe following the directions on that website and it works perfectly. Nice and quiet. __________________ 90 gal RR Miracle BK Mini 200 Skimmer 2x Tunze 6100 Turbelle Stream Tunze 7095 Multicontroller Tunze 3155 Ozmolator 2X 250 watt MH Purely H2O RO/DI Custom Stand Basement Sump Current Tank Info: 90 RR Bare Bottom