overflow not working

[steveo32]

I just recently bought another overflow for my 125 and it not working as i expected. It's rated 1200 gph and in addtion to my one that was rated for the same. My pump is an iwaki 70 and i have truned down becasue the one overflow could not handle it so now with the second one i figured i could turn it up. But with the addtion i couldn't really turn it up. what didf i do wrong >? I also have about 12 feet of head hight :arg:

 

[tomzpc]

What type/model of overflow and what kind/size of plumbing are you using?

 

[scarf_ace1981]

What type/model of overflow and what kind/size of plumbing are you using?

ditto.

 

[steveo32]

idk I think the guy was saying it was a cpr continous overflow rated for 1200 pgh and the plumbing im using is a 1" bulkhead to 1'' 1/4 ball valve to a 1 1/2" hose to the sump. Also I have 1'' durso in it

 

[tomzpc]

idk I think the guy was saying it was a cpr continous overflow rated for 1200 pgh and the plumbing im using is a 1" bulkhead to 1'' 1/4 ball valve to a 1 1/2" hose to the sump. Also I have 1'' durso in it

The 1200 gph model has 2 one-inch bulkheads. Do you have 2 or only 1 bulkhead?

I'm not a big fan of the CPR overflows. I used them years ago and had multiple floods from them losing siphon. They require a separate pump or powerhead with venturi to help evacuate air from inside the overflow bend, but even then all it takes is a small piece of debris to get stuck in the air evac. nipple to cause a problem. I suggest that you consider another overflow, but if you plan to use the cpr then get the aqua-lifter pump for it.

See here: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3642&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Portal-_-Froogle-_-Fish-_-Aqua%20Lifter%20Pump&OVMKT=K3QPUMA15VGJPI32VHS07EP4RS&ref=3312&subref=AA&GCID=C12188x003&ctt=60

 

[steveo32]

well for now i m going to use what i have and then change but what other overflows are out there >?

 

[DevIouS]

CPR overflows are fine. Pulls more water & is more quiet than the regular "U" tube overflows.
I've been running one for sometime now. I do however, use the Aqua-lifter pump...which make things easier.

I don't understand how a CPR will cause a flood if it looses siphon. It just stops flowing water.

I've heard flood stories on "U" tube over flows as well, but I ran it since the beginning, with no problems.


Steve:
How is it not handling the flow? Is it overflowing water from the back chamber?

 

[cali_reef]

I don't understand how a CPR will cause a flood if it looses siphon. It just stops flowing water.

The flow in the overflow stops and all the water in the sump is pumped up into your tank have no place to go than overflows onto your floor, we call that a flood.

 

[masterswimmer]

Steve, you told me you had an aqua lifter pump when I asked you about the siphon break.

ms

 

[DevIouS]

The flow in the overflow stops and all the water in the sump is pumped up into your tank have no place to go than overflows onto your floor, we call that a flood.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones to never experience that...:backtotop

 

[steveo32]

well the siphon would only break if you lost power though and if you didn't have power then the pump would send any water any where.

No Russ what i was saying is that I was going to get one and another one for the u tubes. Jim was telling me to do that for the u tubes.

But as per Jim's advice I think i have the problem under control

 

[Tonyscoots84]

2 words for you steveo REEF READY lolz.....

 

[steveo32]

yeah I know that what i was doing when my problems arose. I was on evry stie looking for a used rr for cheap lol well if there s one around I 'll take it

 

[Tonyscoots84]

should of drilled it and did wat i did wit my tank... so much easier

 

[cali_reef]

well the siphon would only break if you lost power though and if you didn't have power then the pump would send any water any where.

Not true, siphon will also break when the little hole gets clogged by a piece detritus, uneaten food, etc... What if you loose power for a few minuets and the main pump starts back up but your siphon pump didn't? how about if the siphon pump breaks down when you are not standing next to the tank?

My advice would be to get rid of the POS and get a regular siphon tube overflow box, the CPR ones are a time bomb waiting to go off. I would only be telling you this because I had actual experience with this product.

 

[DevIouS]

Not true, siphon will also break when the little hole gets clogged by a piece detritus, uneaten food, etc...

how about if the siphon pump breaks down when you are not standing next to the tank?

The CPR will not loose siphon under these circumstances.
It is not required that the Aqua-lifter pump be used for it to operate. It does make it easier to begin siphon as it will do it automatically & if ran 24/7, it will assist in removing air bubbles located in the bend.
I run mine all the time for that reason.

For the CPR to loose siphon due to detritus or food, the entire bend of the overflow would have to be clogged, which is pretty hard due to the large bend.

 

[NYReef]

Get a Lifereef overflow instead of the CPR, and a check valve for the return line to stop back siphon and you'll never have to worry.
:cheers:

 

[cali_reef]

For the CPR to loose siphon due to detritus or food, the entire bend of the overflow would have to be clogged, which is pretty hard due to the large bend.

This is what I posted:

siphon will also break when the little hole gets clogged by a piece detritus, uneaten food, etc...

You have a pump constantly sucking air\water from that hole so it is very likely to have some solids get stuck and plug up the hole. it may take time, but the odds will get higher as the tank and equipment ages.

Under normal operation air will go into the overflow bends with the water you are taking out and get trap there, this is the same reason why the air vent hole is there. The trapped air will break the overflow siphon if not removed. No suction pump = no air removal = siphon break.

I am not trying to argue with you, I just feel people need to know this and not buy the POS, have floods and get all upset at their tank and the hobby.

 

[DevIouS]

No arguement at all...dude.
Just posting my experience with the unit, as I currently run one. I find it better than the standard overflow.

You have a pump constantly sucking air\water from that hole so it is very likely to have some solids get stuck and plug up the hole. it may take time, but the odds will get higher as the tank and equipment ages.

I'm just saying the the pump is not required to operate the overflow. Even if the pump fails......the overflow will continue to work. You do have to monitor air trapped in the bend, which can cause it to loose siphon.
I ran the overflow with-out the Aqualifter pump.

Get a Lifereef overflow instead of the CPR..

He already has it. Have to work with what you have.....or sell it.