I have had my 75 gallon tank setup for just over a year now with no problems; it is not pre-drilled, so I have an overflow box going into the sump. For whatever reason, a few nights ago, my sump began placing water into the tank faster than the tank was draining into the sump. Needless to say, it's causing the tank to flood. I have checked the overflow box and hose for blockage (there is none). I checked the piping that connects to the hose from the overflow - it's fine too. I have even gone so far as to dismantle the ENTIRE sump (bio-balls and all) to see if there was a possible clog...nothing. At the moment, the tank is holding however, it is at the brim and the sump has just enough water to keep the pump from running dry. If I add any more water, it goes directly to the tank and causes it to flood. I am considering re-plumbing the overflow box tomorrow and increasing the pipe size to 1" or 1.5", but does anyone have any ideas what could be causing this to just all of a sudden happen? I'm baffled!! My sponges, etc. are clean as well - I just cleaned them the other night when all of this began. Any ideas or advice would be much appreciated! The tank sits in my office with a lot of valuable equipment; I cannot afford a flood in the middle of the night.....
tank overflowing
- Thread starter delpni
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Is the overflow box adjustable for the height? If sp than lower the box. Also check n make sure that there is no air in the tube connecting the two boxes inside and outside the tank. How many bends do u have in the drain pipe? U can also put a valve on the return if all else fells
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I had that problem with my overflow box on my 55, I had the box to high up in the water. I just moved it down further into the water generating a stronger out flow, also check the U-tube for any air bubbles that may be slowing down the water.
Sorry didn't mean to post pad.
Sorry didn't mean to post pad.
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it looks like we all have the same suggestions
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well im sure delpni will get the pic. i hope u get it worked out without a mess
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cr500_af;632359 wrote: Except I didn't think about height adjustment...
? There is no such thing as post padding for members.
Oh... I didn't know that. Thanks
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He all ready did that.
put a valve on the return to adjust flow??
I meant check it again....
if it's breaking siphon often, then look at the CPR overflows.. they utilize an aqualifter to guarantee siphon and because of that. they work VERY reliably.
I dont run an overflow (and if I can help it, I never will).. but, if for some reason I was planning on having one.. the CPR overflows are the only ones that I would choose..
(well, I'd choose ANY overflow that used an aqualifter to hold siphon - it's like having a built in backup)
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Yes that's an option
The only thing I'd add...because the advice above is ALL good...
Is your drain line in the sump, emptying below the water level in the sump? If so, it needs to be raised above the water line, so there is space between where the water leaves the drain pipe, and trickles into the sump. If the drain empties below the water line, you can get an air lock that slows the drain, and can slow it just enough to cause the tank to overflow.
Problems like this are the main reason I despise external overflow boxes of any kind. Sooner or later there *will* be a failure.
Jenn
Is your drain line in the sump, emptying below the water level in the sump? If so, it needs to be raised above the water line, so there is space between where the water leaves the drain pipe, and trickles into the sump. If the drain empties below the water line, you can get an air lock that slows the drain, and can slow it just enough to cause the tank to overflow.
Problems like this are the main reason I despise external overflow boxes of any kind. Sooner or later there *will* be a failure.
Jenn
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Barry's right. If the system has been operating fine for over a year, then it cant be logistical plumbing. It has to be an anomalous feature. If you've check the the entire drain line and bulkheads are not obstructed, the the siphon is breaking.
Everyone has made the best suggestions, the only one I can think of is do you have a filter sock on you set up. This happened to one of my tanks about 3yrs ago. Lowering the inside overflow box took care of it for two days then my overflow box slid back up(the screw needed to be tighten better). Fixed that! My tube started getting air in it again-filter sock took care of it. Don't pull your hair out-if you have a tank, you will have a problen like this sometime and you will figure it out! I have a 30ml syringe with airline attached that I kept inserted into the U-tube until I got the problem solved, it really helped to keep the air bubble out.
Holley
HolleyI use a CPR overflow now but had one with the tubes to start with. I constantly had this problem so I drilled a hole in the top of the u tube and inserted a air line fitting ran the tube to an aqualifter pump and that fixed that. I sealed the fitting with some aquarium sealant.
