CPR overflow problem.. I need some help !!

Frogbone · 11-14-2004, 01:06 PM

I installed a 1600gph overflow that I got from Derek but it seems like it ain't working right.

Since the box didn't have a fitting on it for the aqua lifter pump I glued in a barb fitting that I had laying around.

The lifter pump is hooked up to a light strip with the return pump so they both start at the same time.

The overflow starts and it does what it is supposed to do, however, the aqua lifter keeps sucking air and it's pretty loud.

There is still air in the top part of the "u-shaped" chamber and every few seconds it creates some sort of a swell which also is noisy.

If I plug the outlet of the aqua lifter then everything works the way it supposed to.

I guess the chamber needs to be filled with water all the way up and the lifter pump should be drawing water, rather then air.

Is the original fitting supposed to be longer, reaching way down into the chamber where it always draws water ?

djyox · 11-14-2004, 01:22 PM

I've seen on some site where they hooked the airline up to a power head, so any air that gets traped in there gets sucked out by the powerhead, and will be fine sucking water the rest of the time....

Hope that helps ya??

Frogbone · 11-14-2004, 01:26 PM

The problem is that it WON'T suck water, only air and that creates the noise

djyox · 11-14-2004, 01:27 PM

hmm I guess I don't get it. Unless their is a crack in there, shouldn't you be able to suck all of the air out till you get to water?

djyox · 11-14-2004, 01:28 PM

PS I am just a newbie anyhow....

Frogbone · 11-14-2004, 01:32 PM

same here

djyox · 11-14-2004, 01:43 PM

one of those other 4 looking at your thread should be able to help you out i would think! Maybe they are typing you a short story too?

Frogbone · 11-14-2004, 03:00 PM

looks more like "War & Peace"

Quote:

Originally Posted by djyox

one of those other 4 looking at your thread should be able to help you out i would think! Maybe they are typing you a short story too?

otolith · 11-14-2004, 03:04 PM

There isn't an extension that goes down into the water at the U. It should be flush, since the air will rise to the top. I would let your tank get to the point where it's starting to almost overflow, then start up the pump. I think what's happening is that the air is getting sucked out of the top faster than water is replacing it via overflowing into the unit. The water in the overflow (1st chamber), is getting sucked down into the U part, and then you get a big gurgle, and the whole process starts over. Does that sound correct? If that's the case, let your tank fill up to the brim with water (not Folgers), and then start it up, to see if that gets rid of the problem. You may need a larger return pump to keep up with the overflow, if that makes any sense.
HTH,

David Grigor · 11-14-2004, 05:57 PM

I just cringe when I hear of people using ( or even worse trying to use ) siphon overflows.

After all the warnings in our forum and horror stories from members.

Your much braver than I am......

Frogbone · 11-14-2004, 07:27 PM

If you can tell me about a good trick to drill the backside of the tank without completely emptying the tank so I could toss my siphons I'd die a happy man

But seriousely... has anyone ever drilled a "half full" tank without getting glass shavings in the tank ?

Can you install the overflow box and seal it somehow, then drill the tank from the outside? Should be possible to then clean out the overflow box real good...

Anyone...?

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Grigor

I just cringe when I hear of people using ( or even worse trying to use ) siphon overflows.

After all the warnings in our forum and horror stories from members.

Your much braver than I am......

Frogbone · 11-14-2004, 07:28 PM

Derek...

maybe I can put a valve on the pump output and restrict it that way so it sucks slightly less than what comes into the overflow ?

otolith · 11-14-2004, 07:31 PM

Dunno. I have an idea, just pm me your phone# and we'll talk.

spazz · 11-14-2004, 09:27 PM

i have a 100gph cpr overflow. i use a small power head and air tubing. the tubing runs down to the sump and goes into the suction side of the power head. i caped off the opening of the suction tube and drilled a smaller hole in the side of the tube. this causes more suction in the tube. the small hole only lets in a little bit of water. and therest is air/water from the air tube comming from the cpr overflow. this is the best system i have come up with. i also hooked up an electric float valve to the main pump so if anything does go wrong i wont get a flood in the house. this has worked very well, but its still not as good as a drilled tank. if you can go drilled i would.

Frogbone · 11-14-2004, 09:31 PM

hmm, you lost me there with the tubing from the sump to the powerhead

Quote:

Originally Posted by spazz

i have a 100gph cpr overflow. i use a small power head and air tubing. the tubing runs down to the sump and goes into the suction side of the power head. i caped off the opening of the suction tube and drilled a smaller hole in the side of the tube. this causes more suction in the tube. the small hole only lets in a little bit of water. and therest is air/water from the air tube comming from the cpr overflow. this is the best system i have come up with. i also hooked up an electric float valve to the main pump so if anything does go wrong i wont get a flood in the house. this has worked very well, but its still not as good as a drilled tank. if you can go drilled i would.