Water level in sump...

[mimo]

I just setup my sump and fuge this weekend. Everything is going good so far. If the pump fails the sump does not over flow (I tested it). If the overflow fails however, my display tank will flood unless I keep the water level in the sump just above the pump. I raised the pump on 3 levels of egg crate to keep the intake a little higher so that I can keep some more water in there. I would really like to have more water in the sump though. All I can think of doing is making some kind of stand for the pump so that the intake is just below water level. What do you guys think? Is my Amiracle overflow reliable? Should I just fill up the sump as high as I can and not worry about it?

 

[nacl-man]

I operate on the assumption that HOB overflows will not fail as long as they 1) don't require a pump (CPR) and 2) nothing can clog the U tube or drainage tube (the configuration of most HOB units will not let this happen).
I haven't had a problem yet. I know that probably won't help you but it's my .02

 

[mimo]

So you think its safe to assume that the Amiracle overflow will not fail? I shut the pump off several times and the siphon did not break. It seems reliable.
I can always make a cube out off egg crate and keep the pump high and then raise the water level in the sump. If the overflow did ever fail most of the water would remin in the sump. Maybe 1 gallon would be pumped up. I’m sure the egg crate is gonna vibrate like crazy though. This sounds like a plan.

 

[broomer5]

My opinion
As long as you have the return pump pushing enough water up to the display tank ... enough water to keep the flow through the U tube fast enough to keep any air pockets ( bubbles ) from forming in the upper curve of the U tube ....... then your U tube Amiracle overflow should not fail.
Position your return pump down low in the sump and take advantage of the extra water capacity.
Fill the sump up so it can still handle the drainback from the display tank when pump shuts off, but don't run the sump low because you fear the overflow failing.
Good overflows/U tubes with the right pump can be very reliable - if maintained.

 

[mimo]

Thanks for the advice Broomer. I will set it up tonight.
And I have plenty of flow through the Amiracle. Those small bubbles zip right through.
BTW, what kind of maintenance does an overflow require?

 

[tree]

Originally posted by Mimo
BTW, what kind of maintenance does an overflow require?
They don't seem to take a lot of maintenance at all. Once a month when I clean all the power equipment for the tank I clean the U-tube to get rid of any algae. I inspect the overflow for any signs of leaks. Normal weekly maintenance is cleaning any algae off the overflow box.