WetDry Setup

[tbui1178]

I'm totally new to WetDry filtration systems, so please excuse me for the n00b question.

I have a Eshopps type overflow with 2 - 1inch inlets that lead to the sump. I'm expecting to get about 1200gph with this setup. I'm trying to adjust the tank side box (sits in the tank) to the right level (I've already had an incident so I'm a little gun shy) where the water level will not flood my sump if the power goes out.

What I have found is that when I try to be conservative and make the water level equal the halfway mark in the slits of the overflow box, water does not flow as quickly through the U-tubes as it does when I almost fully submerge the overflow box or remove it and run U-tubes only.

Does the level of the overflow box affect the amount of water going into the U-tubes? What's the proper adjustment for the overflow box? Thanks!

Thomas

[fshfrk]

the water level of the box should adjust. your pump is the key. You just have to play with it.

[jeebus]

The biggest issue in case of a power failure will not be your overflow box filling your sump, but will be your return pumps nozzle. If there's not an air hole drilled just below the tanks water line, then it will create a back-siphon and continue until air breaks the line, which will be way more than your sump can handle.

As for the OFB, once you have the air-hole drilled in the return, you should be able to drop it low enough to get the flow you want, and not have to worry about overflowing your sump (as long as your operating level is not too high - which should be equal to around the bottom tray line where your bio-media sits).

[Zulaab]

The tubes have to be completely full, you cannot have air in the U-tubes. If you have air in the tubes it slows the water flow down tremendously. What size pump do you on your system ? What size tank you have ?

[tbui1178]

I have a mag18 with an overflow rated at 1200gph. All this running on a 215g tank. A little less then 6ft head height.

[Zulaab]

With head height at 6ft your pushing about 1050 gph from a Mag18. The overflows should be able to handle it without a problem.
No air in the overflow tubes correct ?
To increase your water flow one thing you can do is remove the prefilter socks in the overflow box. This will add down flow and you dont have to clean the prefilter socks if you do this perm. (Personally I hate the socks because they are going to slow the flow quick)

[tbui1178]

I got it to work. Had to put an elbow on the intake side of my pump and made the water level be at the top of my overflow box. Thanks peeps.