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Beware 
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Joined: September 05 2003
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 Topic: Siphon That Like To Break
Posted: December 10 2003 at 4:52pm |
So My Science Has A Big Marine Aquarium At School. This Tank Has A little Problem Though. It Overflows Periodically Causeing A New Aquacultre Lab Within Her Classroom. Now After Restarting The Siphon For Her Substitute I Didn't Want To Go Back To Class So I Figured I'd Look For The Problem. I Noticed Air Bubbles Were Collecting inside the "U" Shaped Pipe Taking It into The Overflow Box. How Can I Stop It? Earn Me Some Extra Credit Here!...Beware
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: December 10 2003 at 5:16pm |
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There are two ways to go here.
1) move the U Tube and source of bubbles away from each other. This could be done in a variety of ways.
2) install a line in the top of the U Tube that will suck the bubbles out as soon as they appear.
Without knowing more about the setup, it's hard to say which would be easiest or best in the long run.
In what city is this tank located?
Does it use an overflow box?
Does the tank have a powerhead?
Where are the bubbles coming from? (sump pump, agitation of incoming water, water dropping into tank right near the U Tube intake, etc.)
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jfinch
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Posted: December 10 2003 at 7:27pm |
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As Jake has suggested in a different post... Get a smaller diameter syphon tube. The increased velocity will pull the bubbles on through into the sump.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: December 10 2003 at 8:09pm |
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If a smaller diameter tube is used, it forces a higher water level in the tank. this requires a lower water level in the sump, so that when the pump stops, the sump will not flood.
This may or may not be possible, depending on the way the sump is set up.
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jfinch
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Posted: December 10 2003 at 8:47pm |
Mark, why would that happen? You'll have a higher level inside the overflow box, but the tank level shouldn't change.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: December 10 2003 at 9:23pm |
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You are correct of course.
Edited by Mark Peterson
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Shane H
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Posted: December 11 2003 at 9:58am |
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I have a CPR overflow on my tank. Although there are no u-tubes (sealed acrylic). I have had a problem with accululating bubbles breaking the syphon. I added a small venturi powerhead in my sump and ran tubing from the nipple installed in the overflow to the venturi uptake on the powerhead. It now constantly removes any air that may accumulate in the overflow.
Total solution cost: $8.00. Plus electricity to run an additional PH. (definate savings over replacing carpet and sub-floor.)
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