dorso overflow burping all the sudden.. <belch>

[phoenix20]

Hey ARC

Started experiencing a weird issue this past weekend. So, little background on the tank -- I guess the floor wasn't 100% level when I filled it up with water (or the piece of cardboard the wife put under the stand so it wouldn't scratch the wood is throwing me off).. About 90% of the water overflows into the right overflow. The overflows are rated at 600gph, and I have a mag 7, which pushes about 700gph.

This actually isn't too bad, because the left overflow is almost acting like a backup. -- I know something is wrong when the left overflow is taking water.

Anyways, the tank has been running for about 2 months and its been really quiet. This weekend, the right overflow started "burping." Both are dorso overflows. I think what could be happening, is that the right overflow has a Tee into the refugium with the spraybar. Air is probably entering the spraybar, causing the overflow to burp. Every time it burps, its sends microbubbles into the display tank.

So, should I look at partially closing the right overflow so the left takes more volume? Any hints or tricks to keep a dorso from burping? Should I look at getting rid of the spraybar idea entirely? I'm also pumping water into the fuge area feeding a 9w UV.
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[weaglereefer]

Is the spray bar fully submerged under water? There needs to be a way for air to escape when it gets to the sump.

 

[mapleredta]

I'm confused by your drain into your sump. I thought the drain water was supposed to go directly into your skimmer section. This will be my first tank with a sump so I am still learning.

 

[phoenix20]

the spray bar isn't fully submerged... i kinda wish i hadn't set up the tee going into the fuge, but didn't think about having a maxijet feeding a UV to get water into the fuge in the first place..

i think the spraybar is probably my problem. uuugh... i dont want to replumb this...

anyone ever replumbed a tank before while it was still operational? any worries about PVC primer or glue drying after a few hours?

 

[molson]

I changed my manifold off of my return pump after it was running. I just shut the ball valve on to the returns, removed the plumbing off the pump and replaced it. I had it back up and running after waiting only about an hour with no problems.

 

[jonathan]

Sounds like back pressure. Is the durso breather hole salted up?

Jonathan

 

[phoenix20]

Good suggestion Johnathan. I just tried sticking a toothpick down the air escape on the top of the dorso and it didn't do the trick.

I've got the overflow cut off about half way, and the burping stopped. I guess i'll just have to muddle with it as the tank lives on.

 

[jonathan]

Are these Megaflow dursos by chance? If so, raise the drain tube on the 90% side until the flow balances between the two. I would definitely try to get the tank level!

Jonathan

 

[phoenix20]

Cool beans. I'll give that a shot.

 

[mojo]

Have you tried just taking the durso out, cleaning it out in the sink, and the re-attaching it? If you haven't changed anything else, then it's likely salt creep within the air intake of the durso. I have to clean mine every couple months for this reason...