Help with my overflow and pump

[tideshark]

I am still a bit new to saltwater and am playing around with some stuff. One thing I cannot figure out is how to get the bubble to stay out of my overflow. It will run completely fine for awhile and then out of no where I have the bubble in it. Another thing I want to fix is where my pump pumps into the tank. I want some kind of shut off flap in there incase the power goes down or anything because I don't want it to suck the water out of my tank and overflow my sump.

Here is a little video I made of it on youtube that you can see everything I am talking about pretty well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPfAmKtZGZE

Thanks for any help everyone!

[chimmike]

if your return line is under water too much, and you're not home to close that ball valve, you'll still drain the tank.

If your return line is just barely under water, drill a small hole in the side of the return under water so that when that portion sees air, it'll cut the siphon and stop pulling water back into the sump.

regarding bubbles, it sounds to me like your pump isn't powerful enough to fill the tank at the same rate the drain is draining, causing a surging type deal. I can't watch youtube at work so I can't see the video.

[disenchantedone]

Hey Tideshark:

I don't use that set up anymore, but in the past I've used a air pump plastic check valve on top of the u tube. Drill a small hole, and insert the end tip of the check valve so it hits the air bubble section. Seal it in olace with Super Glue or Epoxy. Then whenever the air forms, suck it out. Since the check valve is one way, air won't go into the u-tube.

Regarding the backflow issue, get a union swing check valve from Bulk Reef Supply: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...+valve&x=0&y=0

Goodluck.

[Manuel Martinez]

1.Stop siphon is too easy, like Mike said. Made a little hole in the return pipe, at the tank water level, when you turn off the pump, the pipe suck air, and stop the siphon effect.
2.The overflow bubble, you can increase the water rate, or put into the overflow box, some bio balls, to trap the bubbles.

[uncleof6]

No teeth on the overflow, all they do is raise the water level in the tank, make noise, and decrease the efficiency of the over flow.


Brass is made from copper and nickle. It WILL harm your critters. Anti siphon holes are fine, until coralline or or a snail parks on the hole(s) and then you still flood. Outlet for the return <1" below the surface of the water in the DT, and EXTRA volume in the sump, are the only sure way of preventing a sump from overflowing in the event of a power outage. Do not--REPEAT-- do not rely on check valves, or any other electric or mechanical devices to prevent your sump from overflowing. They can, do, and will fail when you are not home to make a good save.

Not certain what to tell you on the bubble in your siphon line. Increasing the flow rate may or may not help. I run 3000 gph and above through siphon lines, and have air trapped at the top of the stand pipe. It doesn't hurt anything really-- as long as the drain is reliable.

Jim

[sjm817]

What is your return pump and return plumbing setup? Flow looks very low. Low flow through the U Tube wont keep the bubbles flushed through. You dont need a ton, but maybe more than you have now.

As others, return outlet just below the displays surface. This is a more reliable option than a siphon break hole.