Built-in Overflow Problem

Hey guys,

I have a new 125-gallon glass tank with a built-in overflow. The problem
is that, even though the tank is level, the water level stays below the
plastic rim of the tank. Is there anything short of modifying the
built-in overflow that I can do to increase the water level in the tank?

I tried adjusting the level of the water inside the overflow and that
has no effect, and adding more water just raises the water level in the
sump.

Thanks.

"Jerry Baker" wrote in message news:upcRg.706$Vk4.257@trnddc01...
I have a new 125-gallon glass tank with a built-in overflow. The problem
is that, even though the tank is level, the water level stays below the
plastic rim of the tank. Is there anything short of modifying the
built-in overflow that I can do to increase the water level in the tank?

I tried adjusting the level of the water inside the overflow and that
has no effect, and adding more water just raises the water level in the
sump.

What pump do you use? Does it have enough flow ?
Usually, the stronger pump = higher water level in the tank.

Try to find out for how much wate flow is your overflow rated
and pick a pump which delivers flow near this maximum at
a given hight. (flow decreases with the pumping hight)

Yep, definitely don't have enough water flow for a reef
tank, if the water level is that low.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Pszemol wrote on 9/23/2006 11:34 AM:
"Jerry Baker" wrote in message
news:upcRg.706$Vk4.257@trnddc01...
I have a new 125-gallon glass tank with a built-in overflow. The
problem is that, even though the tank is level, the water level stays
below the plastic rim of the tank. Is there anything short of
modifying the built-in overflow that I can do to increase the water
level in the tank?

I tried adjusting the level of the water inside the overflow and that
has no effect, and adding more water just raises the water level in
the sump.

What pump do you use? Does it have enough flow ?
Usually, the stronger pump = higher water level in the tank.

Try to find out for how much wate flow is your overflow rated
and pick a pump which delivers flow near this maximum at
a given hight. (flow decreases with the pumping hight)

Wayne Sallee wrote:
Yep, definitely don't have enough water flow for a reef tank, if the
water level is that low.

Ya, the tank is a freshwater tank but trying to ask anyone in freshwater
about overflows and sumps isn't likely to get much response. The flow is
about at the limit of what the 1" drain can handle.

"Jerry Baker" wrote in message news:VjpRg.1946$Vk4.918@trnddc01...
Wayne Sallee wrote:
Yep, definitely don't have enough water flow for a reef tank, if the
water level is that low.

Ya, the tank is a freshwater tank but trying to ask anyone in freshwater
about overflows and sumps isn't likely to get much response. The flow is
about at the limit of what the 1" drain can handle.

Is this tank purchased with overflow or you built it yourself?
Usually, tanks available at stores (Allglass, Oceanic) have
overflows properly designed to rise water above frame level.

If this is do-it-yourself overflow, than I would suggest modyfying
the hight of the comb - limit the flow through the overflow
on the side where the water leaves the tank. Plug couple of
teeth/cuts in the comb to limit speed of water flowing on the
other side... This will rise the water level. Do not overdo it...

p.s. what pump do you use ? how much gallons/hour or litter/hour ?

Pszemol wrote:
Is this tank purchased with overflow or you built it yourself?
Usually, tanks available at stores (Allglass, Oceanic) have
overflows properly designed to rise water above frame level.

This tank was purchased with the overflow built-in.

p.s. what pump do you use ? how much gallons/hour or litter/hour ?

The pump is a cheapo Rio 1700 (650gph).

The overflow has 12 1/4" teeth. I have to plug up 8 of them before the
water level gets above the plastic rim. My only task now is to plug them
up in a non-permanent way that isn't visible while viewing the tank.

What makes you think that you have reached the limit?

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Jerry Baker wrote on 9/24/2006 2:11 AM:
Wayne Sallee wrote:
Yep, definitely don't have enough water flow for a reef tank, if the
water level is that low.

Ya, the tank is a freshwater tank but trying to ask anyone in freshwater
about overflows and sumps isn't likely to get much response. The flow is
about at the limit of what the 1" drain can handle.

Wayne Sallee wrote:
What makes you think that you have reached the limit?

Because any increase in flows causes the drain to gurgle constantly as
the air tries to bubble up through the falling water. Inserting air line
into the drain doesn't help. The water occupies all of the sir space in
the pipe until the air burps out.