Why is my Overflow Box not going at its advertised rate?

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CrAzYNeSs

Candiru
MFK Member
Sep 17, 2009
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Hello everyone,

I have an Eshopps overflow box that is rated for 1600 GPH. It is the largest that they make. It uses two 1" u-tubes.

I have a Gen-X pump that is rated for 1100 GPH, yet that is too much for the overflow box to handle. I had to use a ball valve to turn it down to less than half it's rate.

1) There is absolutely no air in the U-tubes.
2) No clogs or any of that sort.

Any ideas as to why it is so slow?
 
I am unsure of how it was rated, but it may depend on how it was plumbed. If it was rated with just the bulkhead, it may flow 1600gph, but with the addition of piping it may restrict flow.

Depending on how long the run is, what piping you are using (surface roughness), height differential, etc...

Certain pipe is limited to flow due to gravity. there are charts available online which will help you calculate the frictionflow losses. I am sure there are others on this forum who may have these charts easily available.
 
Thanks, the sump is right below the overflow box with 1" piping. The overflow box has two draining bulkheads. I plumbed them using 1" for both with only ONE 90 degree bend for each. Less than 3-4 ft of plumbing each.
 
sounds like its your pump thats not doing its job and not the overflow box. If the overflows werent pumping fast enough then your tank would overflow/pump would be sitting in no water. However, you're describing a situation in which you had to make the flow less to the pump and not more.
 
I would try to add all the friction losses from those charts, include all connections (i.e. 90 degree, coupling,etc...) and see if it is the problem.

I am not sure of your exact setup but you can try and add additional U-Tubes to the overflow.
 
I again want to reiterate that if your having to restrict the flow between the overflow and your pump/sump area its not the oveflows that are your problem.
 
uncwnells;3609593; said:
sounds like its your pump thats not doing its job and not the overflow box. If the overflows werent pumping fast enough then your tank would overflow/pump would be sitting in no water. However, you're describing a situation in which you had to make the flow less to the pump and not more.
Click to expand...

I am restricting flow from the pump to the tank. I am not restricting flow from the overflow.
 
CrAzYNeSs;3609404; said:
Hello everyone,


I have a Gen-X pump that is rated for 1100 GPH, yet that is too much for the overflow box to handle. I had to use a ball valve to turn it down to less than half it's rate.
Click to expand...

I see why there is the confusion. The "it's" refers to the Gen-X pump, my fault for not making it clear. I use the ball valve to turn down the flow from the Gen-X pump.
 
Ahhhh, sorry, yes then try ordering two larger diameter overflow u tubes.
 
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