Flood Proof and 100% Silent HOB Overflow

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
To suck the air out of the overflow chamber to begin the siphon. It has a vlave to open and close it. To start the overflow you open the valve, suck the air out of the chamber by mouth, then when the siphon begins, you close the valve.

And he beat me to it lol..
 
thx for the answers guys .
 
I want to say.... This is one neat overflow. Thanks for sharing, after watching the video and reading this thread, I have a better understanding of how an overflow works.
 
very nice chompers. I'm sure someone will try to copy this! I like that you post up your work for others to see when you could be selling the idea to major filter companies, ect.
 
I had a boss that ran to the patent office with some of my ideas and never gave me credit, so I'd rather get them into the public domain for everyone to use.

I found a similar system on another site that is dated back to 2004. There is another person on the same site that has a current thread with an identical system as the first guys, and he is taking all the credit. I couldn't run off to the patent office with a clear conscience knowing there is a similar idea (not an overflow) and someone else already taking credit. I was all proud of this overflow but now I feel like it is very unoriginal.
 
Very nice..sweet, even.
What made you go without U tubes?? Making the internal, wall-in-wall(like those CPR units)must have been a xxxxx.
Wondering why you used multiple lines to the sump?? You did such a super job on the overflow..cobbing up a "junction" box, as opposed to a "cross" or pair of T`s", would have been a snap.
Putting that control valve on your drain line made all the difference, noise wise, didn`t it. I used a gate valve on mine and thought I had gone deaf once it was adjusted and running. I was so used to the gurgle and whoosh of my pvc "pretzel" that my skimmer/overflows quietness was deafening.
Very nice job...Thanx for shareing
 
KaiserSousay;3033153; said:
What made you go without U tubes?? Making the internal, wall-in-wall(like those CPR units)must have been a xxxxx.
Click to expand...

I didn't want U tubes because they aren't fool proof. They don't self purge in all situations. I wanted the ability to hook up an Aqua Lifter if I needed to. I have purged it manually several times just to play around with it, but it can go for several months without needing to thinking about it.

KaiserSousay;3033153; said:
Wondering why you used multiple lines to the sump??
Click to expand...

It's to make it flood proof. The concept came from cave diving. You always have to have two back ups (or a back up to your back up). I'm tired of cleaning up flooded tanks so it was either this or get rid of some of the tanks.

KaiserSousay;3033153; said:
..cobbing up a "junction" box, as opposed to a "cross" or pair of T`s", would have been a snap.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean by that. Could you describe it better or differently?

KaiserSousay;3033153; said:
Putting that control valve on your drain line made all the difference, noise wise, didn`t it. I used a gate valve on mine...
Click to expand...

Yep, it was at the heart of the design. I had used ball valves to quiet overflows but didn't have backup pipes in the event of clogs. I have been lucky and haven't had any clogs but had flooding from other causes. With the addition of the filter, I knew I'd have restriction and the possibility of total clogs when I am gone for extended periods. (Most of my flooding was when I was away.)

I get a lot of "bounce" with the ball valve, so I'm considering upgrading to a gate valve.
 
Hi, nice looking overflow.

Talking about aqualifters.. my overflow is not the same type (pvc job) as yours but i have my air line hooked up to the air intake of a pump if that makes sense?

You know the part u can connect air lining to the nozzle of your pump to suck air through making bubbles in your water jet.

Anyway i hooked my overflow up to that and it purges any air and works like a dream! Without this my overflow would not start back up syphon after power cut.

My pump is a 1200lt/hr and it clears the overflow of air very quickly after power out.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by KaiserSousay
..cobbing up a "junction" box, as opposed to a "cross" or pair of T`s", would have been a snap.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. Could you describe it better or differently?
Click to expand...
Not sure what they are called, but you probably have seen those big "junctions" for sewer lines..where multiple lines come in, with one line exits. At first glance, thought that might be a more elegant way of getting the two additional lines to the sump...but know what, after rehashing it thru my grey cells..it would have been alot of xtra work/expense for no real gain.
Those ball valves used to drive me crazy(short putt??). After any adjustments I had to leave the stands door open for an hour so I could try to tweak the thing a little, keeping an eye on the "sweet spot" water line of the sump. The gate valve made all the difference..could make very small adjustments without all the "bounce" or muscle work.
The aqualifter will give you the "peace of mind" I would need for this style of unit..
Very nice job, well done, says I to you..
My next project will be an adaptation of bulldogg7`s skimmerless overflow..sizing various pipe combonations..well, thats after I finish my gravel vac..oh, yeah, need to start drilling those 4" caps and threaded ends I got from the building sites dumpster:D
 
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