overflow question ( U tube )

shiby1510

shiby1510

Member
Alright well i got my overflow box today... U tube!!! i also got a mag...
i do not have it hooked through the sump yet but wow are mags amazing or what :D !! the thing is absolutely quiet and is making flow like :scared:
anyways i am a bit unsure with my overflow box on how to prime it.. it did not come with any directions... but it has the box and a big u tube and then the little tubing... when i asked the guy at the lfs he said that i need to use the small tubing... but i didn't catch everything he said cuz i was too excited...
... therefore how do i work this... cuz the water doesn't just flow through that little tiny tubing does it? :help:
if it was necessary how would i use my mag externally.. i don't understand the directions... i wasn't sure if it needed primed a certain way so i did not want to try it.. it is submersed right now... and until my sump is ready i would like to pull the mag out for now... what do i need to do? :needhelp:
THANKS!! :happyfish
 
thangbom

thangbom

Active Member
not shure of what u are doing w/ the mag so no answers for u there.. but to prime the overflow.. u need to pour some water into both boxes of the overfloe (intank and hong on back) then u take a small tube (pref clear flexible 1) then u insert it into the 'u' tube so it's all the way to the top.. then u submerge it into the 2 boxes.. ( each leg of the 'u' tube for each box) then u suck the air out of it the 'u' tube via small tube till u get the shyphone going.. then pull out the small tube when u done.. it might take u a few tries to get all the air out but dats about it..
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
Make sure you suck quick this will pull the remaining air bubble out of the U tube. Also pinch the small flexible tubing as you pull it out or you will break the vaccum. Good luck it took me a few tries but it will get going.....
 
farmboy

farmboy

Active Member
Not sure about the mag but my quiet one 3000 came with 2 different connectors for the suction side of the pump. One with a hose fitting-the other for in sump use(strainer type thing).
If using external-ideally drill a hole and draw water from the level you desire. If no hole, you can put a "u" pipe over theside of the sump tank to the suction side of the pump. But this is the tricky part. In the top of the "u", you need a fitting to where you can pour water down into the pump to prime it. This also ensures you get all the air out of the suction side. (much like you u-tubes for the overflow) I've read about problems on here from people who have these setups and most of the problems come from loose fittings allowing a little air into the system. This causes micro bubbles and pump cavitation(noisey).
NOTE: You should only have to prime the pump once (unless it runs dry). Even in the event of a power outage, the return side will drain back down (assuming the sump is below the main tank) and through the pump, keeping the suction side full of water.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I don't actually use this type of setup. My pump sets inside the sump.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I've primed the U tubes using plastic wrap. Submerge the U tube under water and make sure it's filled completely with water and at the same time take 1 piece of the plastic wrap and cover one end and then the other and then sit the U tube in place in the overflow box and remove the plastic on the U tube closes to you and then remove the other piece of plastic from the U tube that's inside the outside of the overflow box.....
To prime the Mag Drive if needed you can take a power head and blow water from the sump through the bulkhead into the Mag Drive or sometimes you might get lucky covering the bulkhead that the pump is hooked to with your hand for a second or 2 and keep doing this and your pump should pick up as well... Really shouldn't have a problem with priming the pump IMO.... Might cavitate a bit on initial start up, but after that shouldn't be a problem
 
farmboy

farmboy

Active Member
""NOTE: You should only have to prime the pump once (unless it runs dry). Even in the event of a power outage, the return side will drain back down (assuming the sump is below the main tank) and through the pump, keeping the suction side full of water.""
This sound about right to you Acrylic?
 
shiby1510

shiby1510

Member
thanks guys... its all working soo great!!! i love it!! :D :jumping: :joy:
the overflow is a bit loud right now tho.. just sounds like sucking noise... anyway to fix this?? or will it just stop after i get the system running for awhile?? thanks! :)
 
shiby1510

shiby1510

Member
I figured out that the sucking noise is happening because of the prefilter on the bulkhead is not allowing full water to cover the whole tube of the bulkhead which is causing an air pocket...
anyway to fix besides taking the prefilter off...
in addition will the running water sound from the water going down the piping stop after the system has been running for awhile?
 
O

oceangrl11

Guest
probably not. I have had mine for 6 yrs. and it still makes the noise ;)
 
farmboy

farmboy

Active Member
Search for durso stand pipes. They are an easy DIY project and will quiet the slurping-washing machine drain sound.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Originally Posted by Farmboy
Search for durso stand pipes. They are an easy DIY project and will quiet the slurping-washing machine drain sound.
I second the recommendation!!!!!!!! :yes:
 
shiby1510

shiby1510

Member
A bit of confusion.. are durso pipes used for the gurgling sound at the top of the bulkhead or the running water sound that comes from the water falling from the bulkhead into the tubing? :notsure:
 
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