Overflow syphon problem?

[rk4435]

I have a 90 gallon with a corner overflow into a sump. At times my overflow area backs up with water then goes rushing down into the sump.

I use a flex type hose and thought that was the problem, with my old sump it would usually correct itself fairly quickly. Sometimes it seems like it happens when I open the lid for feeding like it is an air pressure problem.

I switched last week to a much larger Trigger Sump and now the problem seems more frequent and lasts longer.

The new sump flows much faster and I had to throttle my return pump a bit, I'm not sure if that matters though.

Anyone else have a similar problem?

 

[w_hartyjr]

Make sure your flexible hose doesn't have a low or high spot in it. Air could be trapped there causing the problem. The hose needs to have a constant downhill angle. This is the reason I changed all of my plumbing to rigid PVC

 

[mikesmith34]

Is your system a herbie setup. Before my herbie setup I had flex hose and it made a horrible flushing noise unless I throttled my return mag 9 way back. Now she runs wide open with no problems. If you can, I recommend it

 

[xyzpdq0121]

If it is NOT a herbie, do you have enough air behind the water? Are you sure your air intake is not clogged?

 

[rk4435]

The flex hose is in a lazy s shape, which is why I have been thinking it was the problem.

I'm not knowledgeable about the Herbie style, I'll have to look it up.

As far as the air intake, I assume your asking about the toothpick sized tube at the top of the overflow, I do see water coming up through it so it must be clear.

I never hard plumbed because I knew I would reconfigure, the system has been up since August. I suppose I could now that I have the sump I wanted but I'm a little scared to do it since I don't have experience.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

Water should not be coming through the tube in the top of the overflow. Air should be going in there, not water out of there!!!

 

[jdw]

If your going to reconfigure i would definately consider going with a herbie there is no noise if configured correctly. The only noise I hear now is my pump. I am in the process of installing my 90rr tank. It has a corner overflow like yours. If you have two holes in overflow like mine(most likely), you have two options for a herbie.

Option 1 - Use both holes in overflow as your drains, pipe your return flow up backside of tank and over the top.

Option 2 - (what I did) drill a 3rd hole in overflow and keep everything in overflow.

If you decide to go herbie, I suggest you use a gate valve as opposed to ball valve on main drain line. The gate valve will allow you to better tune the overflow water lvl.

 

[hiimsean]

I never had experience with any type of plumbing before doing mine. Just do your research first and plant it out. I went with a herbie overflow in my 90g and it's dead silent. The noisiest thing on/in my tank is my MP10. I routed my return over the top of the tank as opposed to drilling the tank. Here's my plumbing with a Trigger Ruby30 sump.

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[jdw]

Invest in pvc cutters, will save time & energy

 

[hiimsean]

^^ Very true. I used a hacksaw and a dremel lol only because I didn't want to spend the extra $$ They worked just time consuming.

 

[mikesmith34]

I'm in sales and about as much a handi man as Santa clause. If I can reconfigure my tank using a herbie anybody can. Just do a google search and it will lay it all out. It made my tank nearly silent and increased my flow turn over. Good luck

 

[rk4435]

I think HiImSean volunteered to come up to North Georgia to plumb me up!

I discovered part of the problem, my water level was low. The weird syphon still happens but corrects quickly. As I type this I'm holding the newborn. I may have to live with it for a while.

 

[hiimsean]

Haha :doh: