Water level too high - What can I do?

Speckled Grouper · 04/18/2006, 07:12 PM

Just did a freshwater test in my new 250g. It has one overflow box in the center with one hole drilled.
The water level seems awefully high, almost to the top of the teeth of the overflow box.
I am concerned now, if I install a Durso, that will restrict the flow even more, making the water go even higher.
Any suggestions?

gvibes · 04/18/2006, 07:31 PM

What's your return pump, and what is the rated capacity of your overflow?

Speckled Grouper · 04/18/2006, 08:15 PM

Return pump is a Blueline 70HD, have no idea about the overflow.

Scuba_Dave · 04/18/2006, 08:19 PM

Blue line 70 puts out 1750gph

Where is the pump located? Basement?
What size bulkheads on the drains?
How many drains?

Speckled Grouper · 04/18/2006, 08:24 PM

The pump is underneath the tank (no basements in So. Florida)
The bulkhead 1 1/2" - one drain.

My boyfriend wanted to drill another drain hole in the overflow, but there is really no space to do so.

Scuba_Dave · 04/18/2006, 08:33 PM

Oops....

A 1.5" drain will only handle maybe 1450gph MAX
I know - I have them (2) installed in my tank
If I shut one off, the tank will slowly overflow
And my pump will pump 1500gph MAX

Do you have your pump throttled back?
Is the full flow going to the tank?
That's a lot of water for 1 overflow
If anything clogs the overflow -even a little - you are in for a flood

Speckled Grouper · 04/18/2006, 08:54 PM

Scuba Dave, the pump is running wide open right now, I also have not installed the locline spraybars on the two returns (not sure whether that is relevant, though).
Now my boyfriend wants to "bust out" some of the teeth in the overflow box.................

dfcjr · 04/18/2006, 10:19 PM

Dont do that!!!Put a T inyour return line and then an elbow with a ball valve to dump some of the return water back into the sump.Lessens the water going to the display and doesnt increase head pressure and burn out the pump.

gvibes · 04/18/2006, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dfcjr
Dont do that!!!Put a T inyour return line and then an elbow with a ball valve to dump some of the return water back into the sump.Lessens the water going to the display and doesnt increase head pressure and burn out the pump.

Or buy a smaller pump.

04/18/2006, 07:12 PM	#1
Speckled Grouper Sticks Suck! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Davie & Big Pine Key, FL Posts: 2,655	Water level too high - What can I do? Just did a freshwater test in my new 250g. It has one overflow box in the center with one hole drilled. The water level seems awefully high, almost to the top of the teeth of the overflow box. I am concerned now, if I install a Durso, that will restrict the flow even more, making the water go even higher. Any suggestions?

04/18/2006, 08:15 PM	#3
Speckled Grouper Sticks Suck! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Davie & Big Pine Key, FL Posts: 2,655	Return pump is a Blueline 70HD, have no idea about the overflow. __________________ The cure for anything is salt water.....sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 265g

04/18/2006, 08:24 PM	#5
Speckled Grouper Sticks Suck! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Davie & Big Pine Key, FL Posts: 2,655	The pump is underneath the tank (no basements in So. Florida) The bulkhead 1 1/2" - one drain. My boyfriend wanted to drill another drain hole in the overflow, but there is really no space to do so. __________________ The cure for anything is salt water.....sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 265g

04/18/2006, 08:54 PM	#7
Speckled Grouper Sticks Suck! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Davie & Big Pine Key, FL Posts: 2,655	Scuba Dave, the pump is running wide open right now, I also have not installed the locline spraybars on the two returns (not sure whether that is relevant, though). Now my boyfriend wants to "bust out" some of the teeth in the overflow box................. __________________ The cure for anything is salt water.....sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 265g

04/18/2006, 10:19 PM	#8
dfcjr Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Clinton Twp.,MI. Posts: 307	Dont do that!!!Put a T inyour return line and then an elbow with a ball valve to dump some of the return water back into the sump.Lessens the water going to the display and doesnt increase head pressure and burn out the pump. __________________ R.I.P. David James Garrett, my little brother and the best friend I'll ever have, life will never be the same without you. Current Tank Info: 65gallon mixed reef, 20gallon refugium, 250w SE MH w/ 65w actinic PC

04/18/2006, 07:31 PM	#2
gvibes Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 239	What's your return pump, and what is the rated capacity of your overflow?

04/18/2006, 08:19 PM	#4
Scuba_Dave EMERTXE YID Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Asylum, South of Boston, MA Posts: 10,362	Blue line 70 puts out 1750gph Where is the pump located? Basement? What size bulkheads on the drains? How many drains?

04/18/2006, 08:33 PM	#6
Scuba_Dave EMERTXE YID Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Asylum, South of Boston, MA Posts: 10,362	Oops.... A 1.5" drain will only handle maybe 1450gph MAX I know - I have them (2) installed in my tank If I shut one off, the tank will slowly overflow And my pump will pump 1500gph MAX Do you have your pump throttled back? Is the full flow going to the tank? That's a lot of water for 1 overflow If anything clogs the overflow -even a little - you are in for a flood