Overflow issue

[jmt1030]

Hey everyone,

I started up my 180 yesterday, and I'm having issue with my overflow. It's the Synergy Shadow and I can't seem to figure out what's going on. I'm getting a lot of noise and a ton of bubbles at the sump. I followed the directions that they have for plumbing the overflow on their site.

I'm thinking the full siphon tube is a little too short. What do you guys think?

Here's a video of it:

 

[jmt1030]

I'm also thinking it's too much flow. Just realized my return pump is rated at 2100GPH (at the lowest setting) and the overflow box is rated at 1800GPH. Is this going to be a big issue? I've turned down the return pump to level 4 (of 6) and the gurgling and noise has reduced a lot.

 

[jdelgado0440]

Hi there,

I'm guessing from the cleanliness it's a new system and that is part of the noise... It just pretty much needs to settle in like a new protein skimmer.

I noticed the third safety overflow seems to be cut a little too high above the waterline because it seems as though if water were to overflow it would go over the box and not down the back up drain.

Sorry for the side note above... does the overflow box have a top and has that helped? Also have you tried controlling or adjusting the valve to even out the flow between the two/three drains? It seems from your video that the first drain is draining the fastest which is the cause of the sound and excess bubbles.

Hope that helps!
Jorge

 

[tgp4274]

your full siphon shouldn't have a hole in the top........
replace the u pipe and you should be able to adjust it then

 

[nova65ss]

your full siphon shouldn't have a hole in the top........
replace the u pipe and you should be able to adjust it then

Both of them come from synergy with the holes....

 

[jmt1030]

Looks like I got all set now. Dropped the return pump to about 60% power and now everything is nice and quiet.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[tgp4274]

good hope works out better for ya :)

but with a hole in the full you'll always have air in the system....

 

[don_chuwish]

Restrict the full siphon line more to force the water level higher. You shouldn't see water surging through the bulkheads like that - they should be submerged.

 

[cracker]

I agree with Don, My synergy makes a LOT of noise if the water level is not above the bulkheads. I have the 20 inch synergy on a 180 & it is very touchy ! I'm also pushing a lot of flow thru it & not using Utubes ,just open straight pipes . I read somewhere here. The Synergy guy was saying that utubes help when using higher flow. Sometimes when I get it just right, it's so quiet it's creepy. I keep looking to see if the pump is still running . LOL

 

[jmt1030]

Restrict the full siphon line more to force the water level higher. You shouldn't see water surging through the bulkheads like that - they should be submerged.

Yep, that's exactly what I did. Now it's very quiet.

Thanks!

 

[don_chuwish]

In my case I ran the pump as fast as it would stay quiet, then tuned the full siphon to where the water level stayed where the flow was quiet.

 

[K7BMG]

This is an opinion of a new guy so if I am wrong here then teach not criticize please.

You should be able to run your pump at full scale and the drain should be able to handle the flow to prevent the possibility of a DT overflow.

To me it looks like your water level is to low. I agree with don_chuwish and the bulkheads need to be completely submerged.
Also the hole on the top of the full syphon is fine, its how it relieves the air to become a full syphon. The problem is the full syphon line is to high and the waterline should be a half inch above when in full operation.

So IMO the water level overall is to low for the main syphon line.
I would work on raising the water level in the tank or lower the main syphon line 3/4 to 1 inch.

Oh wow did not realize this thread is like a year and a half old almost.
Need to look at the dates when I do a search and a thread pops up, obviously.