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pilot_172 
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 Topic: overflow issues
Posted: April 08 2006 at 10:09pm |
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i finally bought a corner tank (54gal) that has an
overflow. i set everything up (sump, plumbing, pump)
when i run everything i am getting lots of bubbles
from my drain line into my sump. these aren't just
micro bubbles but large bubbles (soundsl like a
motor boat at idle) i've tried adjusting the height of
the drain plumbing and blocking holes but it still
seems to be sucking alot of air from the top holes.
any ideas?? is there a certain way you should prime
the system??
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Rocky
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Posted: April 08 2006 at 10:20pm |
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Is this a reef ready set up or do you have a durso standpipe? Can you take a picture of it, I might be able to give you some advice if I can see what you have going on.
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Rocky Phillips
Hill AFB, Utah
Currently Tankless :(
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: April 08 2006 at 10:20pm |
maybe you can make a durso stand pipe. They are virtually silent, but you will still get the bubbles.
BTW, I can tell you have a MAC because of the screwed up margins on your post. Wierd how that happens 
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pilot_172
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Posted: April 08 2006 at 10:25pm |
yes yes, i've got a good 'ol mac. the choice was new computer or new aquarium......well that was a no brainer  . The overflow kit that i have is a MegaFlow over flow kit....i will hurry and download a pic.....give me a few mins
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pilot_172
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Posted: April 08 2006 at 10:35pm |
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Mike Savage
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Posted: April 08 2006 at 10:55pm |
That IS a "durso standpipe" design. You can check this website to find info on fine tuning it.
http://www.dursostandpipes.com/
If you are still having problems let us know and we will do our best to help.
Mike
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: April 08 2006 at 10:56pm |
That looks like a durso. Is the flow down the pipe steady or does the water surge down enevenly. You may need to make the little hole on the top bigger if its not getting enough air for proper drainage.
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pilot_172
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Posted: April 08 2006 at 11:19pm |
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i'll try opening up that top hole some more. about
where should my water level in the overflow be
sitting in relation to the durso pipe. i was talking to
holdencraft earlier today and he said it should be
just a bit above the strainer....is that correct. i can't
get mine to that level. my water sits right at the top of
the U bend on the pipe. i know you can adjust the
height of the pipe but the water level stays the same
in relation to the pipe
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: April 08 2006 at 11:35pm |
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Hmmm, i think i remember the water level on my durso being about 1/2-3/4 up the horizontal section of the durso.
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ryanj
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Posted: April 08 2006 at 11:50pm |
Do you have a sock on the drain? (where the water comes out the drain, in your sump). I've noticed that when I take my sock off it puts a ton of bubbles into the sump and into the main tank.
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Mike Savage
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Posted: April 09 2006 at 12:28am |
 Adam Haycock wrote:
Hmmm, i think i remember the water level on my durso being about 1/2-3/4 up the horizontal section of the durso. |
I agree with Adam. That's where mine runs.
Mike
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pilot_172
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Posted: April 09 2006 at 12:58am |
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so for some reason my water level is too high on the
durso....hmm.....i guess i'll continue to tinker
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: April 09 2006 at 1:16am |
I bet its an issue of the amount of air entering the hole in the top. Maybe make it a little larger with a drill. Sometimes the hole on my durso would get partially blocked by salt and id get issues with drainage.
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: April 09 2006 at 1:18am |
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I put a removable PVC cap on the top of my durso so if i screwed up on the size of the hole, i could remove it and add a new cap. Make sure you would be able to fix it if you made the hole too big.
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pilot_172
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Posted: April 09 2006 at 1:43am |
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about how large of a hole did you drill?? the hole i
have on the top right now is about 1/4" in diameter
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: April 09 2006 at 2:08am |
Im not sure how big mine was, but 1/4" sounds on the larger side. What happens when you plug the hole?
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pilot_172
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Posted: April 09 2006 at 2:16am |
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i only opened the hole up 1/16" to 1/8" from its
original size. when i plug the hole on top the water in
the overflow drops about and inch to inch and a half
and it starts sucking air and water through the lower
holes
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: April 09 2006 at 9:45am |
The drain line on the downside of the bulkhead also affects how the Durso works. If there are too many turns and bends, the water sort of surges then ebbs at points down the line. This affects the Durso operation. This is why a Durso does not always work. There is a better way, but it involves cutting in a Gate Valve near the end of the drain and using a better strainer at the inlet. I'd keep messing with the size of that air hole. Try reducing it rather than enlarging it. Put an airline over the nipple. Squeeze the airline with your finger to reduce it's size. If that works, place an adjustable valve or tie a loose knot, or....
Edited by Mark Peterson
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Rocky
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Posted: April 09 2006 at 9:46am |
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It might be a good idea to buy yourself some pvc and make yourself a durso standpipe...one that can properly be adjusted. You must be able to adjust the hole to match the amount of water you are pumping through the tank. Using a drill and guessing on a hole leaves alot of room for error. Even then you are still limited, like in my case I had to put a T off of my return and cycle half my water back to the sump. But I only have one 1" drain and realy should have 2.
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Rocky Phillips
Hill AFB, Utah
Currently Tankless :(
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pilot_172
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Posted: April 09 2006 at 10:53am |
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i haven't tried messing with the downside of the drain yet. i'll fiddle with that and see if it helps, if not then i'll go back to the air hole
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