getting an overflow started

[ChumbawambaMan]

i just bought an overflow box today, to connect my 29 gallon to a 10 gallon sump....

however, as ridiculous as it may sound, i dont know how to get the cycle started. the overflow box has one half in the tank, connected by a U tube into another box outside the tank, split pretty much in half. in the second chamber of the outside box, a hole drains into a tube into my sump....i then have a powerhead with a tube running back into my tank....

well, i can get the water pumping into the tank, but how do i get the U tube to fill up and transfer water to the outside box and then down the tube?? how does that cycle start?

any help i would greatly appreciate, and if you have AOL instant messanger, drop me a line at: RonnPopeil
thank you!

 

[kevchev515]

You need to place both ends of the u-tube under water. Then put an old air line tube or something like that, inside the u-tube and suck out all the air.

So basically you need to have both ends of the u-tube under water and suck out all the air.

Goodluck,

Kevin

 

[Luis]

next time the u tube gets air and stop working just take it out and put it up-side down inside of your tank until it gets full of water(3 seconds) then attach two small pieces of plastic bag with a rubber band in both ends and place it in position in your overflow then take the rubber band out with the help of a stick (chop sticks work great) and that's it, this way you will not get salt water into your mouth (phytoplankton in not good for human consumption

)

 

[danmhippo]

Remember the trick we used to do when we were small? Fill a glass full of water and put a piece of paper on it, quickly invert the glass and the paper (well, the atmosphere pressure actually) holds the water in the glass?

I once did this for a friend and he is watching in amazement. I bet he has never seen that trick done before. I'd also bet I may not be able to do this right everytime.

(I'd suggest you do it out in the patio instead on the carpet....)

 

[reefworm]

I do the same as Luis, except I use small pieces of plastic wrap rather than plastic bags. They come off more easily. Much easier than sucking on the tube!

regards,
rw

 

[MandarinFish]

I don't suck the salty pipe man.

It ain't that kind of party.

Seriously, thanks for the info all. I am about to start up my overflow soon and had the same concerns.

Nice quote reefworm

"Now burn 'em. BURN 'em ALL!!!" - Leprechaun, to Ralph Wiggum

 

[reefworm]

"You know what to do, laddie - burn the house down!" Leprechaun to Ralphie "I wanna twirl!"

 

[ladyballplayer]

I start the flow exactly as described above, however, I always blow out first to make sure there is no water in the "J" before sucking - otherwise you'll get a mouthful of saltwater.

 

[D-Nak]

I think all of your ideas will work, but I think the best thing to do is to modify the U-tube a bit (assuming this is a clear U-tube made out of plastic -- I've never seen any other kind). Here's what you should do:


1. Purchase a small airline check valve, such as the one made by Tetra which uses a rubber flapper and not just stuffed with foam. Make sure it's inserted in the right direction -- to pull air out.

2. Drill a small hole at the top of the U, place a small dab of silicone around the hole, and insert the check valve securely. The extra surface area of the check valve touching the U-tube should help to make a tight, solid seal. Make sure the check valve is inserted in the right direction -- to pull air out.

3. Allow the silicone to cure for about a day.

4. Attach a piece of airline tubing to the check valve

5. To start the siphon, simply suck of the air using the tubing you just attached. The check valve will prevent water from entering the airline tubing. No saltwater in your mouth!

Whenever you need to remove air that may occasionally collect in the U-tube, simply suck the air out. It will always collect at the top of the tube, and you won't have to go through all the trouble of having to remove the U-tube, fill it back up with water, etc. etc. It's definitely worth your 5 minutes to make the modification.

Other options:
You can add a plastic air control valve to the end of the airline tubing if you're worried about the check valve failing, but I've never had this happen.

Wrap some black electrical tape around the top of the U-tube. This prevents algae from growing in the U-tube. This problem with this is that you can't see the bubbles collecting in the U-tube.

Hope this helps!

D-Nak

 

[Xphixer2]

so... what I did was: took a 16 penny nail, heated it up with a lighter, burned a hole through the very apex of the "u" tube. ( drilling may crack the plastic of the tube). put a regular airline connector into the top, superglued it, siliconed it for a water tight seal. ran some airline from the connector to the aerator input of a power head that is next to the overflow box. and now the tube is self starting as long as the Powerhead is running. so in the event of power outs, the overflow should get up and running. and a plus: no salty taste. Rich

 

[Anonymous]

Xphixer2,

Damn thats neat!

RR

 

[fishpoo]

i use a venturi powerhead sitting in the sump and airline hose in the u tube.

 

[esmithiii]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr> I don't suck the salty pipe man.

It ain't that kind of party.
<hr></blockquote>

LMAOROTF!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fortunately I now have a pre-drilled tank.

Ernie

 

[Jawbone]

Zigzag had a similar problem

Overflow box problem