Tank almost overflowed.

Ok So!! This is the 3rd or 4th time My Tank has almost overflowed. THANK GOD its never happened when no one was around, and actually over flowed. What Happens is my over flow U tube stops syphening, and The return just continues to pump water into my tank, which has nowhere to go besides up and over my tank.

MY theory is that My return pump is too weak, Its syphening it down faster than it can put out, which causes the water to lower and cut off the U Tube.

I dont have any kinda special return pump, so I wouldnt be surprised if its to weak.

Anyone elses thoughts???

 

What kind of overflow?

 

What size return pump do you have? How many siphon tubes? and what diameter? Do you use a sponge in your overflow???

 

Tricky situation. If you get a pump too big, then you have the problem of return water moving faster than syphon water, and still get overflow. My suggestion would be to make a shutoff so the return will stop flowing if your tank starts filling.

I'm sure someone else will be along with a much better idea though

 

have you noticed if bubbles gget swept through your u-tube quickly. if the flow isnt fast enough through the u-tube bubbles will collect at the top and eventually break the siphon. what kind and size overflow box are you using??? what is the pump you are using rated for?? how much correction for head pressure??

 

Thats what I was going to ask next lol you beat me to it

 

damn that sux, lucky you were there

 

It shouldn't be too weak a pump, the overflow can only overflow what is being returned. Maybe bubbles are building up though if its not overflowing fast enough to the point where they cut off the siphon. You can try an aqualifter pump to ensure the siphon stay going.

 

Ok so First off, This is the over flow, sorry I dont know what its called.






2nd- I no Longer use that sponge filter in my Overflow.


3rd- I only use one over flow tube and its about 1 1/2inch thick.

4th- My return pump has no name and its 258 gph. Which im pretty sure is way to weak. (I bought my fuge/sump/main tank/pump/skimmer altogether off of craigslist) So thats what I used. And the return hose is 3 quarters Inch OD, and 5/8ths ID.

 

Oh AND you can see in my over flow pictures the bubble thats in the U tube. Its ALWAYS like that. When it stops syphening and I have to restart it again. the Bubble goes away, but comes back in like a couple days