how to prime my overflow blox

I just filled up my tank for a test run so

How do you prime my overflow box to get the siphon running

 

What kind is it? With mine I filled up all parts of the overflow with water, then stuck a small tube into the siphon and sucked out the air until the siphon starting sucking water through. Have all your pumps and everything running while you do this.

Just be careful not to get a mouthful of aquarium water - yucky!

 

First fill both sides of the overflow box. Second, add the u tube. Then insert the little rubber tubbing into the u tube about half way up. Start your pump and then just suck on the black tubbing. This should start your siphon.

 

I have another question regarding my overflow box.

my box as a single compartment on the inside of the tank, 2 "u" tubes and a divided compartment on the exterior of the tank. the exterior box is divided in two and only one as the outlet to the sump. Right now the whole system is running fine with one "u"tube but why is there 2. Can anybody help with that one.

 

hmm, with only one drain I wouldn't see the point in having two u tubes - maybe they packaged it with two by accident

 

The simple answer that you need to grab the hose suck until the water moves into the pipe and then move your mouth fast! dont drink the water...... Hope the power does not go out.

 

I use a aqua lifter pump on mine to prime it. Once it is primed and running just check it evey now and then to make sure no air bubbles get trapped in the u-tube. When the power goes out the siphon will stop and when the power comes back on it will start again. allot of overflow boxes either come with one big u-tube or 2 smaller ones. The 2 smaller ones are a pain because you have to prime them both.

 

Where do you get this lift pump? sounds neat. any info on it? I have the power go out often so id like to not have to suck any more then I need to.

 

the best way i figured to start my siphon is to fill the u tube complete with water and putting saran wrap on each end making sure to keep it full and then putting it in place in the boxes and then turning on the pump while and taking off the saran wrap it should just start pulling and working and mine always stays good even when the power goes off.

 

I got mine here because my LFS didn't carrie them.
Tom`s Aquatics Accessories for Aquarium Overflow Boxes

Basically it just pumps water in one side and out the other. I stick the in side up into the u tube and the other hose into the tank and turn it on.
also why does you overflow loss syphon if the power goes out? its not so-pose to(unless air gets into the u tube).
do you have a u-tube style or a weir style overflow?