Problems with REEF BUILD ... Need HELP!

LoJack · 07/13/2008, 03:02 PM

Hey guys,

Everything is built at this point, everything is siliconed and plumbed. All is done. The freshwater test is underway and has been for 2 days now.

Here are the roadblocks:

#1 - I cut the overflow glass just a little bit too large ... I think its because I didn't take into account the added height due to having to sit on top of the silicone at the bottom of the tank and the added height of attaching silicone and eggcrate to the top ... as a result, the water level in the tank sits flush with the bottom of the black trim on the tank.

Since the tank is going to be open top ... I don't know if its a good idea to have the water level that high ... If it were you ... would you drain the tank, cut out the glass, have it re-cut, and then re-silicone it in place? Or would you just leave it?

#2 - The overflow cannot come even close to keeping up with my pump. I was under the impression that a 1" PVC intake should be able to handle close to 600 GPH. I have a return pump that has 600 GPH at the head that I'm working with ... yet right now I have the ball valve on the line closed almost half way to find that equillibrium.

The overflow is Tee'd at the bottom to divert between the skimmer section, and the refugium ... could this roadblock be restricting my flow? Its a durso standpipe overflow ... with a 1/4" air hole in the top of it ... just doesn't seem like its flowing well enough ...way too much air in the line

#3 - The drop from my overflow to the height of the durso is about 5 inches. As a result there is a very loud splashing noise. The simple fix would be to extend the durso ... which wouldn't be a problem except ......... I foolishly have already glued my plumbing in place. How can I undo this? Or can I ?

Any comments and help is greatly appreciated!!

--Tyler

LoJack · 07/13/2008, 03:41 PM

Oh, and should I order a new pump that is rated for less so that I don't have to restrict it? Am I slowly burning out my pump right now?

R.W. · 07/13/2008, 04:19 PM

ok i do not understand how high your water is? My water is about 1" from the very top of the glass and i have no problems. As far as burning out your pump... as long as you are not restricting the intake for the pump you should be fine. The tee off could be restricting the flow, what you could try is a Y connection. To fix the overflow that is already glue in place.. Try a small piece of cable/wire and start cutting the pipe in a straight section so all you have to do to extend it is place a slip joint in.

kau_cinta_ku · 07/13/2008, 04:38 PM

how big is your overflow box? if you biult it yourself then maybe it is to small.

sassafrass · 07/13/2008, 04:46 PM

The T will restrict the flow greatly , a Y will not the hoel on your durso should be closer to 1/8" that will quiet the air noise and help it t flow faster.
Lee

sandsurfsd · 07/13/2008, 06:27 PM

what they said

07/13/2008, 03:02 PM	#1
LoJack Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Thompson, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 595	Problems with REEF BUILD ... Need HELP! Hey guys, Everything is built at this point, everything is siliconed and plumbed. All is done. The freshwater test is underway and has been for 2 days now. Here are the roadblocks: #1 - I cut the overflow glass just a little bit too large ... I think its because I didn't take into account the added height due to having to sit on top of the silicone at the bottom of the tank and the added height of attaching silicone and eggcrate to the top ... as a result, the water level in the tank sits flush with the bottom of the black trim on the tank. Since the tank is going to be open top ... I don't know if its a good idea to have the water level that high ... If it were you ... would you drain the tank, cut out the glass, have it re-cut, and then re-silicone it in place? Or would you just leave it? #2 - The overflow cannot come even close to keeping up with my pump. I was under the impression that a 1" PVC intake should be able to handle close to 600 GPH. I have a return pump that has 600 GPH at the head that I'm working with ... yet right now I have the ball valve on the line closed almost half way to find that equillibrium. The overflow is Tee'd at the bottom to divert between the skimmer section, and the refugium ... could this roadblock be restricting my flow? Its a durso standpipe overflow ... with a 1/4" air hole in the top of it ... just doesn't seem like its flowing well enough ...way too much air in the line #3 - The drop from my overflow to the height of the durso is about 5 inches. As a result there is a very loud splashing noise. The simple fix would be to extend the durso ... which wouldn't be a problem except ......... I foolishly have already glued my plumbing in place. How can I undo this? Or can I ? Any comments and help is greatly appreciated!! --Tyler

07/13/2008, 03:41 PM	#2
LoJack Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Thompson, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 595	Oh, and should I order a new pump that is rated for less so that I don't have to restrict it? Am I slowly burning out my pump right now?

07/13/2008, 04:19 PM	#3
R.W. Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 890	ok i do not understand how high your water is? My water is about 1" from the very top of the glass and i have no problems. As far as burning out your pump... as long as you are not restricting the intake for the pump you should be fine. The tee off could be restricting the flow, what you could try is a Y connection. To fix the overflow that is already glue in place.. Try a small piece of cable/wire and start cutting the pipe in a straight section so all you have to do to extend it is place a slip joint in. __________________ 180g FOWLR "Sun bathing on the floor next to your tank is not, in any way equivalent to spending time outdoors."

07/13/2008, 04:38 PM	#4
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	how big is your overflow box? if you biult it yourself then maybe it is to small.

07/13/2008, 04:46 PM	#5
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	The T will restrict the flow greatly , a Y will not the hoel on your durso should be closer to 1/8" that will quiet the air noise and help it t flow faster. Lee

07/13/2008, 06:27 PM	#6
sandsurfsd Moved On Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 41	what they said