question bout pvc overflow height

[ethnics]

i made my own overflows out of pvc. i was wondering if its better to set the water level lower then u actually want it to allow the water to raise higher then the overflow to allow the water flow to be faster? sorry if it doesnt make sense but pretty much my overflow's seem to go slower then its size is rated for. i have two 1" overflows, one on each side of the tank. verything seems to be working but i wanna put a bigger pump or a second pump for more gph but i dont think they overflows will handle it. what can i do?

 

[str8dum]

seem slower? once you get a siphons that as fast as it will go being gravity fed.

either add anohter overflow or use bigger pipe.

 

[CHOMPERS]

ethnics,
A picture is worth a thousand words. If you can post a picture of the overflows, I can help with the problem if it is design related. Basically to maximize the flow, the tee needs to be as low as possible. If your tank is 18 inches tall, the syphon is limited by this dimension because the outside loop can not be lower than the inside loop. An of course the tee must be above the outside loop on the down stream side.

Also, you may want to try adding airline check valves to the top loop if you have not already done so. They allow you to remove any trapped air in the loop. Air will slow down the allowable water flow. Do not glue the check valve but rather use silicone to seal it. I made this mistake and glued in a faulty check valve. It allowed in air and my tank overflowed...onto the floor.

Good luck,
Ron