Plumbing problems!

[thebillabong37]

I have been keeping my current reef tank (55Gal) for the last 3 years. Ijust upgraded to a rather large return pump (1040Gal/Hr). It pumps from a 20Gal sump through 8' of 3/4" tubing. Now my overflow cant keep up with the return. I added a ball valve to throttle back the pump, but now there is not much of a current produced from the return. Any suggestions on how to increase my in-tank siphon's overflow rate?

Here is what I have slept on:
Bigger siphon tube (currently 1" dia)?
2 siphons?
Larger flow line to the sump (currently 1 1/2")?
Tee-off the flow into 2 returns?

NEED HELP!!!

 

[mountainbiker619]

the slots in your overflow can only handle so much. What I did on mine was purchase a dremmel and enlarge the slots by almost twice its original width.

 

[thebillabong37]

Thanks for the advice.
I should have mentioned that the water level in the overflow box is almost to the top. Thats why i think i need to increase the siphon flow. Might increase the channels with my dremel too.

 

[mountainbiker619]

siphon flow can only be increased with larger tubing and larger drain hole in the bottom of the box.

 

[thebillabong37]

That sounds like it might do the trick. I will make 2 siphon tubes- 1 1/2" and 2" diameter and see which one works better. If that dosent get it done, I'll have to drill out the bottom of the overflow box and add a larger out-flow tube..

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

hi.
Sounds like you need a bigger overflow box.... or get a bigger siphon tube/more siphon tubes.

 

[thebillabong37]

Well, good news.
After a little trial and error, i have corrected my plumbing problems and now can run my 1000gal/hr pump at full throttle.
I have estimated the flow rate to be around 800gal/hr (including a dual return, elbows, head pressure).
I built an 1.5" siphon and put it from the surface skimmer into the hang-on siphon box... improved, but not quite.
In a stroke of genius, i lifted the siphon tube from the overflow and it slipped perfectly onto the fitting for the draine to the sump...
WOOSH! the siphon now keeps up with the pump! I know that this siphon could possibly be broken in a power outage, but for the next few days I can figure how to fix it for good.
Thanks for the advice all!
billabong

 

[dtiedke]

Expect a wet floor soon.....

 

[thebillabong37]

yea, thats what i was thinking too.
i am currently building a larger overflow and a durso standpipe.
if i fine a 75gal in the next day or 2 for a good price, i plan on getting that and installing an in-tank overflow. then drilling and adding the standpipe.
thanks.