Help with Siphon Overflow Box

b-town

b-town

Member
Not sure how Siphon Overflow Boxes work? I hear people say that they overflow out when the power goes out (flood the house?). Is this true, on all Brands??? This would be nice to know before I use one! Thanks...
 
nicetry

nicetry

Active Member
Any of the U-tube overflow are a pretty safe bet. I would pesonally advise against any of them that require a powerhead to maintain siphon. If you ae looking for a very reliable hang on overflow, look at LifeReef. I switched to a Lifereef from a CPR (which is crap spelled sideways), and have never been more satisfied. I know that modifications can be made to the CPR. I'm just adverse to having to modify something to make it work like it's supposed to.
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
I'm siting here looking at my Amiracle overflow box, and I don't see how a power outage would cause it to overflow. There is a danger that, without power, water could flow down the return from the sump, overfilling the sump and adding a salty flavor to the living room rug. That is easily prevented by drilling a hole in the return about 1/2 inch below the water level in the tank. This will serve to break the return siphon in the event of a power outage. This has worked for me for the past 12 years in this tank.
 
rcdude1990

rcdude1990

Active Member
i have a syphon overflow box that doesnt need a PH. it sends my water to a wet/dry under the tank.with me i make sure there isnt a lot fo water in my tank. i always have my water were it saids waterlevel -> mark on the wet/dry. if there is a power failure, ure return pump will shut off, not bringin and water in to ur display tank. then all the water that the overflow box is still goin will go into my wet/dry. jus gotta hope the wet/dry doesnt over flow but i dont think it will
 
solarscar

solarscar

Member
i keep my return hose about 1/2 or less under the water. You have to account for how low the over flow box is, but also the return line since it reverses when not pumping. The hole thing would work, never tried it. Does drilling a hole introduce bubbles in the return water flow?
 
fender

fender

Active Member
Originally Posted by Sly
Any hole drilled into plumbing will introduce air into the water.
Which is why you make the hole in the return line just below the water line, keep air out until the tank level drops below the hole. Some water will siphon back so make sure your sump has room.
Oh, and unplug the pump a few times to see where all the water goes a few times so you KNOW what will happen should the power go out.
 
my way

my way

Active Member
Originally Posted by Sly
Any hole drilled into plumbing will introduce air into the water.
No it won't. If you drill a hole it will pump water out of the hole. You need to have the hole on a venturi to introduce air into it. Or there has to be suction as in the prop housing of a pump. Drilling a hole in a return line for a "siphon stop" pumps water out, it does not suck air in.
 
sly

sly

Active Member
My bad... I should have read more carefully. I didn't realise he was talking about a pressurised return.
 
coolwine05

coolwine05

New Member
I have a 90 gallon tank with around a 130lbs of live rock thats been up for over a year with a few soft corals, some lps and an anemone. It has a 1-1 1/2 inch bed of aragonite/live sand/ and a little crushed coral. My corals and anemone are getting huge and doing well the problem is my regal tang. He has H.L.L.E. i have been adding vitamin C, marine selcone, added a grounding probe, and offer him seaweed every day and still it gets worse. Today i tested my tank and i am puzzled, my nitrates are at 0, my nitrites are at 0, my phosphates are under .25, but for some reason my ammonia read at a little under .25. I use an API test kit. What would be the cause for a little ammonia in my well established reef? is it a bad test kit or how should i go about taking out that little bit? any help would be much appreciated either with the ammonia or the HLLE. Thanks, kyle
 
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