Overflow starting

[PMK]

OK So I just got this 240 with a 29 gallon wet/dry with a overflowbox but since i have only used canister and HOB i cant get it started. I have the outlets from the overflowbox draining onto filter floss thats above some bio balls and the return pump on the other side of the divider with a tub running back to the tank. But I cant get the water flowing the water line is just at the overflowbox and its full but the siphoning doesnt start. I tried filling iverything then starting the pump but that didnt work. Can someone help me out?


Man this sucks Im SOOOOOOOOO anxious to get this up and running!!!!!!

 

[Volenti]

If it's what I think it is slide a spare air hose up the pipe that connects the overflow box to the tank and suck the air out, that will start the syphon between the tank and the overflow box.

 

[dragonfish]

Just make sure when you pull the airhose back out you hold the siphon tube or it will raise and break siphon. Then you will swear at it everytime you forget.

 

[rallysman]

I agree with the above but if it's the style that doesn't have the tubes there should be a place to put an air line to suck the air out. If that's the case, put a check valve on it so you don't let air back into the overflow

 

[PMK]

no there is no air line to suck it out. so I am going to get an air tube and suck the water out. lets see what happens

 

[JustLooking]

suck the water out

Remove the air so only water remains.

 

[PMK]

I flooded the garage. Better the garage then the front room. The way I flooded it was i broke the siphone to cut the tubing down since it was slowing the flow of water down and building in the overflow. So after I broke the siphone i stopped the pump so it doesnt run dry. So while i was trying to figure out what i was going to adjust the water started flowing back through the pump into the sump and all over the floor

So how do i prevent this from happening in my front room where it would be a really bad instead of the garage.

 

[Tychevelle]

at least it wasn't in your house lol , on your return line to the tank if its a pvc pipe dumping back into the tank , drill a hole in the pipe at the water level then when the pump stops when it tries to siphone back through the pump the hole u drilled will suck air and break the siphon

or if its a different set up just keep the return line just in the water so it can't suck much out

 

[fish head )'>]

I have an air lift pimp. (opposite of an air pump) looks like one--cost about $14. Keeps the air out of the weir overflow even after power outage. has never failed to start up after weekly shut down for water changes.

 

[PMK]

I have an air lift pimp. (opposite of an air pump) looks like one--cost about $14. Keeps the air out of the weir overflow even after power outage. has never failed to start up after weekly shut down for water changes.

Never heard of those know where i can get one?

Im on my way to lowes to get a couple things then ill retry