overflow box prob.

[ZigZagZombie]

It seems that every few days i have to fix the siphon tube. It slows down quite a bit. Im going out of town soon, and id like to fix this problem. Anybody have any ideas???

 

[imow]

You probably need a bigger return pump.

Does the tube accumulate air bubbles?? Or does it become coated with algae??

 

[ZigZagZombie]

Air bubbles do build up at the top of the tube. Would a bigger pump solve this problem??

 

[Anonymous]

I would agree with imow. The bubbles are bulding up and slowing the flow because the return pump does not have enough force to push them down the overflow tube. A stronger pump would definite;y correct this problem, plus provide more current, which is always plus.

 

[Jawbone]

Run a venturi line from the top of the J Tube (where the air bubble collects) to another Powerhead or Pump Output using a Venturi Jet connector ( Basically a T fitting with the 2 Large openenigs at either side and your smaller part of the T being very small to accomadate small airline tubing.

Here is a picture I drew using PAINT not sure if you can understand due to my inabilty to explain it clearly, but if you take it to your LFS with this letter they will be able to figure out what the hell I am talking about.
The second Powerhead outlet will cause a vaccuum to occour on the small Tube. the vacuum should suck the air right out of the J tube.

I have never done this nor ever heard of one, I just made this up after seeing your post. But I am sure if I can think it.... Somebody is already marketing the exact product or has been for years.

Hope this helps

[ March 12, 2002: Message edited by: Jawbone ]</p>

 

[ZigZagZombie]

Bone....I thought of that also. But being lazy, i'll just get another pump. Thanks for the brain work though. Now question is....I need a pump that will pump 4 feet in hight. That is from my sump to the top of the tank. What should i get?? Don't want that same problem..

 

[imow]

ZZZ--- When I had the same problem, I jumped from a Mag5 to a Mag7. What pump are you using now??

 

[Chucker]

Don't forget that simple vertical head is just part of the picture. If you can limit the number of elbows, tees, valves, etc. and avoid reducing the size of the return line compared to your pump's outlet, that'll increase your flow by quite a bit too.

 

[ZigZagZombie]

Just using a cheep one at the moment. The name is Atman-306. Didn't know at the time i purchased it that i would have this problem. Oh well....I got a year out of it anyway. I'll check into the mag 7.....thanks

 

[ZigZagZombie]

Chucker....Don't have no tees..valves or anything else involved. It's just a straight shot. Like i said....I like the easy way.

 

[imow]

Before you just jump on the Mag7, what size tank?? The Mag works for me, but it might not work for you.

I have a 72 bowfront.

 

[ZigZagZombie]

I have a 70 gal. show tank...

 

[ZigZagZombie]

So your telling me to hook the air tube coming from the siphon tube to my powerhead in my tank?? Connecting it to the air hole on the powerhead?? Think i'll buy another siphon tube in case i screw up. I'll give it a shot...

 

[Scott E]

thats all you have to do, real simple and effective. let me know how it works out for you.I found that the powerhaed should be close to the top of the water, if it is too deep it won't have the power to pull the air out as needed.

 

[Scott E]

I agree with jawbone, I have the same thing on my CPR siphon box.It's just a airline running from the top of the siphon tube to a powerhead air bleed hole.It pulls the air out ,because the air trapped in the tube restricts the water flow.For fittings, pull the clear plastic piece out of the end of a airstone and drill a hole in the top of your siphon tube so it fits snug, cut the end short that goes into the tube to get closer to the top than glue it on .Than run a airline from the fitting to a small powerhead . it pulls the bubbles out constantly making your siphon more reliable.Be carefull getting a bigger return pump,I had to turn my pump flow down until i figured it out so it wouldn't overflow my tank.Give it a try it works great,just clean or change airline once a month so algae doesn't plug it . good luck

 

[imow]

To me, that is just masking the problem, not solving it. Its like using phosphate sponges to remove phosphate while you are using tap water for water changes.

The bubbles accumulating in the tube are trying to tell you something...that is, the whole assembly is not working correctly: meaning your pump is too small. What happens if the phead decides to stop working one day??

 

[wickerj]

You don't want to rely on a powerhead to suck air bubbles out of the U-Tube. As long as you're pushing enough water through the tube you'll never have any problems. I had a lifereef overflow and pushed 600 gph through it without any problems for several months.
The use of a powerhead is the whole reason the CPR overflows are junk to start with.
Jeff

 

[ZigZagZombie]

I just want the thing to work right. Like i said, i'm going out of town for over a week later this month. So what pump would you guys recomend?? Didn't really want to drill my siphon tube, but if i had to i would of. Both ideas sound good. I am leaning to buying a new pump..

 

[Scott E]

I wasn't trying to start an arguemnt or step on anyone's toes .I was giving you an idea that worked for me. My cpr works great.You have a siphon tube and the cause of the bubbles may be different since your tube pulls from under the surface of the water and my CPR draws the surface of the water into the box.(read my reply to KanUCme/whats going on.)It will give you an idea as to why I like to use the system i described. the water falling into the box does create some very small bubbles that will accumulate in the top of the siphon over a period of several days.If the phead did stop working or the air bleed tube got plugged it would take up to a week before the siphon would even start to slow down.I just like to have the piece of mind that there is a simple but effective backup for the operation of the workings of my tank.With all the varibles that could possibly happen when your away and having someone take care of the tank it's one less thing to worry about.I hope that whatever method you decide to use works out for you ,like I said I was just giving you another idea as I know that every system is different. What works for one tank doesn't mean it will work on all tanks.Good luck.

 

[ZigZagZombie]

I'm sure no offence was taken. Both ideas do sound good. I guess i'll have to find out the right one for my system. This hobby or should i say addiction is allways a challenge. Just when you think you have everything right , somthing allways comes up. As minor as this problem seems, it can lead to a big problem later. I have a few weeks until i leave, so i have time to think about it...