please! HELP with this OVERFLOW problem!

[danrw84]

just got my overflow today.
Its on my 29 gal...got it all hooked up, return pump working fine.
I raise and lower the toothed box to regulate the overflow...but i just cant get it. Either the water level goes too low, or its about to overflow!
what am i doing wrong? I cant get it stable!! i can, but dont want to , turn down the flow of the return, i put a ball valve in.
its an aquaclear 802 pump 400gph so about 275 or so up?
29 gal tank, 20 gal sump
anyone?

 

[mikegronholz]

What I did was put a ball valve on the overflow box. I ran pvc from the box to the sump with a valve in that. I can control flow from the left or the right, and from the return as well. Just my $0.02.

 

[cap'n pete]

Dan,
I'm up on AIM. Bump me.

 

[mr . salty]

Originally posted by mikegronholz
What I did was put a ball valve on the overflow box. I ran pvc from the box to the sump with a valve in that. I can control flow from the left or the right, and from the return as well. Just my $0.02.
NEVER,NEVER,NEVER put a valve or any kind of restriction on the overfow...This will cause your tank to overflow everytime..Maybe not now,,but some day it WILL happen.
If you must restrict the flow,do it between the pump and the tank...
danrw84,
When adjusting the water level you should do it a little bit at a time(1/8-1/4inch),and wait a 1/2 hour or so in between adjustments to let the water equalise...

 

[benj420]

danrw84,
Is this a CPR Hang On Overflow box? I'm considering getting one for my 55, so I'm interested in hearing how this comes out. What size did you get (flow rate)?
I don't even have an overflow on any of my tanks, but I'm going to agree with Mr. Salty about restricting flow on the overflow. All plumbing sense says you adjust from the pressure side (between pump and return outlet) only. If anything were to happen that would cause your pump to put out more water, or somehow the drain were to clog a little, it will flood.

 

[cap'n pete]

To let everybody know.
First, it's one of mine. Second, the u-tube was touching the bottom of the inner box keeping it from taking in enough water. Thought I checked that but guess I missed it. (guess that's what happens when your rushed). We trimmed the tube and that fixed that. Then Dan was only pushing 275 or so gph and it wasn't keeping the tank level high enough (about an inch under where he wanted). We then tried raising the entire overflow to bring the water up and the bracket broke (aaaaagh). Sending him a new (and much stronger) bracket.