flooded living room

[allan]

Need help folks,

I am running a RIO21 under my tank for water return. I have a large overflow on the other side to take the water back to the fuge.

Lately I've had a lot of bubbles migrating up to the top of the siphon section and gathering there until I would vacum them out. Well, this has been happening more frequently. I used to have to do it once a week, now about once every other day. When I got back in town last night I didn't check it and this morning I ended up with about five to ten gallons of carefully prepared salt water in my dining room and sitting room.

What's going on? What's wrong with my overflow? Why is this problem getting more frequent?

I've cleaned the water up, well me and the wife (believe me she is NOT happy):what_smile: and have not yet put the system back into operation.

[Jonthefishguy]

Is this a hang-on overflow box with a small line(hose) at the top to prime it when it is disconnected?

[allan]

Yes sir,

It's roughly 7" across with a 5" box in the back. The siphon section has a little hose that I use to pull the air out of the siphon as it collects.

[Jonthefishguy]

Order one of these. http://www.thefishguy.org/aqlivapu.html

This pump is used for overflow boxes. What this pump does is continously syphons all the air trapped in the overflow box and returns the water back into the overflow box.

At times when the overflow boxes lose their prime, when electricity turns back on or too much air collects in the overflow box, water from the sump is returned into the aquarium but unfortunately cannot go back down due to loss of syphon....this keeps that from ever happening again. It is a must with all hang on overflow boxes that have that hose sticking at the top for sucking out the collected air from the overflow box. No need to ever prime your overflow box yourself as the pump will do it for you. I have sold TONS of these units because of the exact same issue and everysingle time, the problem was fixed and flooding and loss of prime was a thing of the past.

[allan]

Thanks, can't beat the price. I ordered one just a moment ago.

Now is there a reason why bubbles are becoming more problematic?

[Jonthefishguy]

Appreciate the order. It will get processed in the morning and shipped out tomorrow. Generally the build up of bubbles is due to the water level in the overflow box is too low on the intake side which causes bubbles to form when it falls over the lip or teeth of the overflow box. The force of the water rushing through causes the bubbles to get trapped there and if there isnt anything to remove them, they build up and eventually cut off the syphon. Sometimes this happens when a larger pump is added to the return side and causes more water to be forced through the overflow box. Another reason this happens is when the overflow box lip/teeth are cleaned and thus allows more flow inside the overflow box. There are a few more variables on why but the pump should fix the issue. As a precaution, make sure that the air tubing isnt cut anywhere and causing air to get in on that side as well.

[allan]

Ok, thanks again. Will wait for the pump to arrive.

[jroescher]

Sounds like the small line at the top was starting to leak air. It has a vacuum on it and was getting worse.

Use new tubing when you install the pump.

[CoryDude]

You won't be disappointed w/the aqua lifter.

Be sure to periodically check the syphone hose on your over-flow to make sure nothings blocking it. The only time I've had problems is when a grain of sand or other small particle gets in there and blocks flow to the lifter pump.

[Texreefer]

your only problem there is that pump is pushing too much water for that overflow to handle, its causing the water to pour into the skimmer box too fast creating bubbles that get sucked into the siphon tube,, sounds like you have found a solution though

[LoneStar]

your only problem there is that pump is pushing too much water for that overflow to handle, its causing the water to pour into the skimmer box too fast creating bubbles that get sucked into the siphon tube

I agree.....

[allan]

Yeah, I had a smaller pump (now using it on my skimmer) and although I still had a problem with the bubbles collecting in the siphon it wasn't nothing like this. I have to vac the air out of that siphon once a day.

I refilled my tank with ten gallons (good thing I was due a water change) to replace that which the tank placed upon the floor. I don't know what I would have done if my floor was carpeted. I have two rugs that soaked up quite a bit, hung them outside and rinsed them with tap. Waiting to see how that comes out.

Thanks for the help.

[allan]

Hey guys, thanks for the help.

I received the pump last night. I put it in as soon as I could and this morning when I got up the siphon was still clear of bubbles. ONe problem checked off.

I ordered a RODI unit from Buckeye last night, so that takes care of problem two. Now if I can whip the ich I will be good to go.

Thanks again, really appreciate all of the advice!

[Jonthefishguy]

Glad it worked out for you. Remember to check the intake screen from time to time as it sometimes gets clogged with debris due to the pump always pulling in water/air.