adurost
Member
I've got a 90G DT with a wet/dry filter box standing in a 20G long as my sump. My pump is a Mag 9.5 with 4' of 3/4" tubing for the return (calculated 850 gph after head loss). I have a used (read: cracked and repaired w/silicone sealant) HOB overflow box that looks like/measures out like an Eshopps PF-1000; 2 1" bulkheads and 2 U-tubes. Attached to each bulkhead is 3' flexible drain pipe that connects to the lid of the wet/dry. The intank skimmer box is even with the siphon holes I drilled in the return outlet.
My dilemma is this: I can't maintain a siphon in both U-tubes regardless of the level I set the skimmer box; I can start both tubes but 1 always ends up sucking air and stopping after a while. However, when the pump is turned off and then back on, the single remaining U-tube siphon is not strong enough to equalize the water level; the DT would overflow except for the fact that I start a siphon in the other U-tube and remove the first one and then everything levels out fine in a couple minutes.
Since the overflow box is cracked anyway I decided to purchase a new one. I figured that the 2 bulkheads were probably draining faster than the pump was sending water back to the DT, so I went with the Eshopps PF-800 (rated for 800 gph and with a single bulkhead), and since there was an (unused) ball-valve already installed on the Mag 9.5 I figured I could dial back the pump a little and make the flow in and out equal. Now, after reading about that guy's problem with a Mag 9.5 and a PF-1200 I'm afraid that my equipment is totally mismatched! The new overflow was delivered today, but I haven't opened the box yet because I want to be able to return it with the least amount of hassle if indeed I did make a poor selection.
Thanks for taking the time to evaluate my situation and reply!
