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View Full Version : Overflow and drain problems!!!


cpreefguy
Sun, 27th Mar 2005, 02:53 PM
Ok, I set up a 58g with a single overflow box siliconed in the corner, the back is drilled with a 1" bulkhead. It is draining into a 20L sump with a Mag 9.5 return pump ( 3/4" )
It has been up and running for about 2.5 weeks, and today, the water level in the tank was really high (almost overflowing) and the water in the sump was really low (spitting bubbles into my tank)
It is almost like the pump is too much for the drain, but this just started today. Every time I turn the pump back on, the same thing happens!?!?
Any help is much appreciated!
Andrew
Sun, 27th Mar 2005, 03:13 PM
Sounds to me like too much flow for 1" bulkhead. Two 1"ers should work fine though.
I believe one 1" will handle about 500gph.

HTH

Andrew
cpreefguy
Sun, 27th Mar 2005, 03:15 PM
Its just weird to me that it is just happening now, 2 weeks later
NaCl_H2O
Sun, 27th Mar 2005, 03:16 PM
Check for an obstruction? Maybe a snail in the pipe, or algae growth in the teeth of the overflow?
Andrew
Sun, 27th Mar 2005, 03:18 PM
I thought it sounded strange also from your first post. Did you check it for blockage? snail? algae? etc.?
Andrew
Sun, 27th Mar 2005, 03:20 PM
HA! naclh20 we posted the same thing simultaneously lol
cpreefguy
Sun, 27th Mar 2005, 03:39 PM
no obstructions???
dan
Sun, 27th Mar 2005, 03:55 PM
might have to put a ball valve on the pump to slow it down a little.
cpreefguy
Sun, 27th Mar 2005, 03:56 PM
thats what Im thinkin too
dan
Sun, 27th Mar 2005, 04:03 PM
another trip to home depot :huh somtimes pumps speed up after they run awhile. first week or so is a breaking in time.
jlam
Sun, 27th Mar 2005, 04:52 PM
Well sounds like to me something might be stuck in it because I have 2 3/4" bulkheads and I am running a mag 12 and snails have gone and plugged 1 up and the 2nd one still keeps up with the flow. What kind of piping do you have on the back end of that 1" bulkhead? Reason I ask is if you have a larger pipe on the other side of the 1" pipe you will get more flow out of it. I have 3/4" bulkhead going to a 1 1/2" down pipe. You might try increasing the size of the pipe instead of balling it. Because I would want more flow not less and that 1" should be more than enough. But of course I dont know your exact setup. IE how far you glued the overflow box down from the top of the tank, if you have anything in front of the bulkhead as a strainer, size pipes going out the back end etc..
Jason