SUMP FLOODS TWO NIGHTS EXACT SAME TIME

[jcardona1]

Lemme see if I got this right...You're trying to keep the water level right up to the rim right? Past the overflow box? And you do this by closing off the valve?

If that's the case, that is not going to work. And by doing so your pump's flow does not equal the amount of water going down the returns, hence the flooding. The water level will at the overflow box. That's it. The only way around that is to raise the overflow box. That is your set water level.

 

[Piscine]

Lemme see if I got this right...You're trying to keep the water level right up to the rim right? Past the overflow box? And you do this by closing off the valve?

If that's the case, that is not going to work. And by doing so your pump's flow does not equal the amount of water going down the returns, hence the flooding. The water level will at the overflow box. That's it. The only way around that is to raise the overflow box. That is your set water level.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[bleublaze55]

ya thats what i was affraid of. And yes jose your right i did want it right up to the rim because i do not have a canopy on top. so it looks a whole lot different. Im thinking about raising the overflow line sum how with some acryllic or something.
BUT yes you have a good understanding of what is going on. Im just curious of why it all the sudden, after running perfect for hours, flash floods!
Thanks for all the help in clarifying my issues.

you have to admit its weird that it did it twice at the exact same time of day! with different hours of running time before hand.

 

[bleublaze55]

Ever built a tank, and not had one thing go right? thats what i feel like with this build. so many problems. (its probably all user induced)

 

[Joe M]

Its probably flooding for the reason jcardona said. Your water level in your tank is VERY slowly rising, because you cant possibly match your drain to your pumps with a valve. You need either raise the overflow, or ditch that valve and deal with the normal water level.

Is it an acrylic tank? Most glass tanks have overflows that put the water line above the trim so the tank looks completely full of water.

 

[jcardona1]

Ever built a tank, and not had one thing go right? thats what i feel like with this build. so many problems. (its probably all user induced)

Ah the joys of DIY!!! I'm assuming this is an acrylic tank because you can see a water line. How about adding another bulkhead along the back wall, with an elbow turned up? That way, you can set the water level exactly where you want it, and the extra spillover can safely trickle down to your sump?

 

[bleublaze55]

can you explain this a little more? Are you suggesting i drain the tank and drill in this guy? IM thinking about putting something over half of those slats to raise the wter level. and ya the tank is acryllic

 

[jcardona1]

Now that I think about it, you have two options:

1) Raise your overflow box, open the valve all the way
2) If you want a silent setup, raise your overflow box, and a second line, essentially creating a Herbie setup.

If you add an extra bulkhead as an emergency line, you can run a Herbie setup, which would make your overflows silent. Personally, that's the route I would go since you have an acrylic tank and they're very easy to drill.

You wouldn't need to drain the tank completely, maybe halfway, and drill from the inside. You basically place a bulkhead high up on the back wall. Then add a PVC elbow pointing up. The top of this elbow will be where you want your water level to be. With a Herbie pipe, you close off the main drain to get rid of the noise, and you have a small amount of spillover that would go down this emergency drain.

Even easier, would be to just add a canopy

 

[West1]

Now that I think about it, you have two options:

1) Raise your overflow box, open the valve all the way
2) If you want a silent setup, raise your overflow box, and a second line, essentially creating a Herbie setup.

If you add an extra bulkhead as an emergency line, you can run a Herbie setup, which would make your overflows silent. Personally, that's the route I would go since you have an acrylic tank and they're very easy to drill.

You wouldn't need to drain the tank completely, maybe halfway, and drill from the inside. You basically place a bulkhead high up on the back wall. Then add a PVC elbow pointing up. The top of this elbow will be where you want your water level to be. With a Herbie pipe, you close off the main drain to get rid of the noise, and you have a small amount of spillover that would go down this emergency drain.

Even easier, would be to just add a canopy

Bravo! I actually like this idea. The original Herbie with 2-3 pipes imo is not my style. I dont think I can drill 2-3 holes a hair over each other Lol. If Im understanding this new style, its very simple (to me at least) and I likes...........!
This is what im understanding... Overflow 100% under water. Pump must be greater than the Overflow can handle and have the sound of silence trickle down the Emerg drain. Now its the sound of Silence and a growing idea for a Planted Tank

 

[jcardona1]

Bravo! I actually like this idea. The original Herbie with 2-3 pipes imo is not my style. I dont think I can drill 2-3 holes a hair over each other Lol. If Im understanding this new style, its very simple (to me at least) and I likes...........!
This is what im understanding... Overflow 100% under water. Pump must be greater than the Overflow can handle and have the sound of silence trickle down the Emerg drain. Now its the sound of Silence and a growing idea for a Planted Tank

Well, sorta kinda

This really isn't anything new, it's just a Herbie setup, with the emergency pipe in a different position. Herbies use two pipes, Beananimal uses three. The nice thing about a Herbie is that if you have an overflow box with two holes, one can be your main drain, and the other the emergency drain. If it only has one hole, you'll need to drill another. If your overflow box is small, it may be a tight fit, so you can really put that second line anywhere.

As for the overflow box being underwater, I wouldn't recommend that. You'll see that I suggested raising the overflow box for this same reason. For one, if it's underwater it's no longer an overflow! You'll lose all surface skimming, which is a great thing to have (especially in planted tanks that can develop that surface scum). And second, that is even more water that will flow down to the sump when the power goes out. You'll need to have a big sump to catch that spill over...