Plumbing help, DT overflows

[PEMfish]

I have this persisting problem that restrains me from running it all. The sump empties and the DT overflows. The plumbing feeding the sump is 1.25" PVC. The return is 1" PVC, so the plumbing can handle the load, and then some. I stuck some air line down the feed but the problem still stood strong. It could still be air though. I should have used 45*s, not 90*s. I have no idea. I need help.

The water is in the DT, then flows trhrough a bulkhead into the mantis tank behind it. A 1.5" PVC stand pipe in the mantis tank drians through the bottom into the 1.25" PVC and into the sump, It makes two 90* turns befor making it to the sump. The end of the pipe is about two inches off the bottom of the sump.

Some water dose flow through it, and I don't see why more doesn't.

Its run by a Rio 1400 with 266GPH after head loss. In the horizontal part of the feed there is a check valve.

pics soon

[dobejazz]

Paul can you attach your pics at TRT - Only people registered at RS can see them through the links

[PEMfish]

Doh. I'll get to that tomorrow.

[motorslave]

Do you have horizontal runs of plumbing on the drain? What size between the DT and the mantis tank? If you do have orizontal runs in the plumbing, add a siphon break. This will smooth is out and even quiet things down. The 90s should be the problem, I have two 1" drains and they have four 90s in the run.

[VWD]

I will post them for you,

[motorslave]

How is the stand pipe in the mantis tank working? That could be the bottle neck and without more info or pics sounds like the culprit.

[motorslave]

Ah, Vinnie to the rescue!

[motorslave]

Hmmm, I think the issue is with the bulkhead between the DT and mantis tank. The stand pipe shoul be fine with the amount the pump moves.
Just in case, pull the cap and see if anything is blocked. Take a close look at the check valve too.

[Seamore]

as motorslave said, check the pipes for blockage, had a snail block one of my 2 drains at the bulkhead, almost overflowed, good luck

[Plaz]

A couple of things aren't clear from the description and pics. Does the water level in the mantis tank stay level with the DT at all times? I.e. when you say the DT is overflowing, do you mean both the DT and the mantis tank are at the same level when that happens? If so, then it's not a problem with the bulkhead between them. If not, then that's the problem and you should remove the fitting you have on the bulkhead to see if it helps.

Assuming that it's not related to the connection between the DT and the mantis tank, then it must be your standpipe or a blockage in your down plumbing. At first glance, I don't see any air intake hole for the standpipe like a typical Durso would have. Are you running it as a restricted siphon? Can you take the cap off the top and let it free flow to see if it keeps up better? It will make a splash in your sump but might show whether it's a blockage in your down plumbing.

[Loverotties]

Good pics Vin!

[PEMfish]

Thank you for posting the pics.
The stand pipe has a small hole in the cap. It is not the problem as it keeps the level in the mantis tank fine. It is the bulkhead between them thats not flowing. I drilled a small hole in the highest part of that assembly but it didn't do it. I thought it would...

[motorslave]

It appears as though the levels in the mantis tank and display are close to the same level. With the way you have the bulkhead and drain set up between the two and the similar levels, there isn't much chance for gravity to do its thing and move the water along quickly. Maybe take the PVC assembly off of the bulkhead and see how it does that way. If it works, (it will be noisy) then reverse engineer something from there. Having the water move from one tank to the next in just a lateral movement doesnt allow enough velocity to move the required amount of water. You probably need more of a vertical drop from one tank to the next.

[PEMfish]

The pipes are glued on. If they were to be removed the water level wouldn't be able to be maintained in the DT past 1.5" from the top. Plus with this being in the bedroom, nose is a huge concern.
Water will fill up past the bulkhead so there is pressure from the 1'' of water that should push it through.

What do you recomend doing?

[PEMfish]

To clarify; the assembly is not glued into the bulkhead but it can not be removed as the brace prevents a full turn.
I turned it so it was low in the DT but it still won't flow fast enough. I took off the stand pipe and put a short piece of PVC there ( about 3.5" ) and even with the large fall ( about 3.5" ) it still would not drain fast enough.
What do I do?