Nice Cheap DIY Overflow

K so after reading this thread i decided to build one for my self for my 40G tank. So i used 1 1/4 tubing but then for the pipe from the T to the sump I used 3/4. I have a eheim 1250 which says that it puts out 320 GPH at a max head of 6.5 ft. My problem is that while testing this overflow the overflow couldn't keep up with the pump... :-/ I tested it for a good 3 hours testing the "power outage" (turning pump off) that all worked great. So now my question is why can't the overflow keep up with the pump? This might change when i hock it all up to the tank as i plan on using a T on the output of the pump to slit it to two outputs the pump with also have a head of about 55 inchs now to sure how thats going to effect everythings.. .

 

It might be from going down to a 3/4? I was going to do that myself but after reading this thread I did not think it was a good idea, I would change your "T" to a 1 1/2 so you get better water flow. also make sure you have no air in the tube.

How long did you make it? I tried to keep mine short as I could, that I think cuts down on the GPH but I also wanted low flow in my fuge, I'm going to try another one with 1.5" and make it as long as I can just to see how that would work...;D

 

Ya I was thinking that it was from going down to 3/4 as well mine is about 14 inchs so its the whole hieght of the tank mins an 2 inch's. I might try and leave all piping at 1 1/4 to see what that gives me.

 

I think that might be your best bet... Take a pic I'm sure we would all like to see..

 

This is one of those things were if you get lucky great! Lol! If you wanted to keep the same set up all you would have to do would be: put in a T in your return, one side to your pump, one to your tank, and one to a ball valve that directs back to you sump.

 

To Covey and all the others who contributed to this thread...Thank You
I wanted my first post on this forum to be here to show my appreciation for all the information I received from this topic!
I made my Overflow from the Topic here...after finding it during a Webcrawler Search. I built a Wet/Dry Sump out of a 100qt Coleman Cooler and this topic made it possible to finish the project 8)
It always re-primes after a simulated power-out.
Yes I actually read the entire thread over the last couple days!
I printed a bunch of the pictures to refer to as well during the build.

This system is on my 29g tank.
The sump increased my total water capacity up to 49g with room in the sump for the backflow when I unplug the pump.
Tank has a juvenile Oscar and a juvenile JD in it for now but will be changed over to a FOWLR tank after I setup the 120g tank I have coming in soon for the O and JD.

 

This is the first sump system I've tried to build so please be patient...Here's what happened so far and maybe it will help someone else not to make the same mistakes:

I built my Overflow and Sump with the intention of having a slower flow(since my pump is rated at only 170gph) and used only 1/2" pipe on both sides of the system.:
I ended up with the same problem as wswensonjr and my pump, with the return line ball valve completely open, will suck the Sump Dry and overflow the tank if I let it.
It was either pumping too much water into the tank or not enough
I tried to regulate the return line ball valve down but that only decreases an already slow system even more and I had alot of trouble trying to match the flow rate
I found out a simple problem that I did not foresee...Air takes up space in the siphon line.
The Overflow works and re-primes as it's supposed to when the power goes out...but with the air that gets in the siphon line from the Vent Tube, during normal operation, the end result is it decreases the amount of water reaching the Sump. Does this happen with larger pipe sized systems????

Kentanner, Your return line bypass idea should work until I replace the entire Overflow and Input Line to the sump with a larger size pipe.


I know the system I have is slow since the pump is only going to do 170gph in the best of conditions...Of course I want to use as much of that pump as possible. As long as the system can be regulated to keep the tank from overflowing, I use as much of the Pump's capabilities as possible, and the pump does not run dry..thats all I can hope for.
Any suggestions to increase efficiency of the system will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, OGW

 

Kentanner, Your return line bypass idea....Worked!
Thanks for the inspiration! I've got the sump return line valve wide open.
I finally found out how to match the abilities of the Overflow I have made and it's working good enough for now until I replace it soon. Now the Overflow works without drawing Air into the line by adjusting the Intake line valve to the sump.

 

Sure, Im glad someone has posted. and that it worked!!! Karma to you!

 

Karma Back at ya Ken...
Just finished reading Otty's thread on his 265g and learned the Karma process
Be patient with me...I'm still cycling;D