Plumbing dudes!

[CHSUB]

Question: my two tanks are connected by a small gravity flow tube. Not worried about overflow, but I get inconsistent flow and water level in the upper tank. When that happens my Apex shut off my ATO to prevent overflow. How I solve inconsistent flow is to block the tube for a few seconds and an air bubble escapes and normal level and flow return. What is interesting is this only happens in the late afternoon. I thought a small hole would allow the air to escape and keep normal flow?
Thoughts?

 

[mcarroll]

Question: my two tanks are connected by a small gravity flow tube. Not worried about overflow, but I get inconsistent flow and water level in the upper tank. When that happens my Apex shut off my ATO to prevent overflow. How I solve inconsistent flow is to block the tube for a few seconds and an air bubble escapes and normal level and flow return. What is interesting is this only happens in the late afternoon. I thought a small hole would allow the air to escape and keep normal flow?
Thoughts?

Install a Tee instead of an elbow. I think a small hole would just shoot a small jet of water all the time. The Tee should allow the drain to breathe properly. This will be more stable than running a partial siphon like that.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Whats on the intake side?

 

[CHSUB]

Whats on the intake side?

Level in tank is about just below the top of strainer.

 

[Piotrek]

Not your question, but aren't you concerned about a large snail, urchin or something might block the drain? I would personally put a plastic cage around it for safety.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

@BeanAnimal

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Makes sense to me. If it's just a gravity drain a little hole up top should work. I do like the idea of the tee as well. Although sourcing one and getting it on at this point might be a pita.

 

[CHSUB]

Not your question, but aren't you concerned about a large snail, urchin or something might block the drain? I would personally put a plastic cage around it for safety.

No. The pump that feeds the tank is in an area that would run dry before it over flows the tank. Also a sensor shuts off the ATO if the level in the tank gets too high from a block. Been functioning for 2 years and believe it will continue.

 

[CHSUB]

Thanks for the help. I’m going to drill a small hole soon but no rush.
Here is the tank, 16 gallons….

 

[rayadog]

Been following along.. so I can understand, the hole in the tube will allow the air bubble to escape? Is it necessary to plug the hole otherwise? It’s just an overflow right so it’s not under great pressure but the air bubble definitely will escape?

Plumbing is not my strong suit.

 

[CHSUB]

Been following along.. so I can understand, the hole in the tube will allow the air bubble to escape? Is it necessary to plug the hole otherwise? It’s just an overflow right so it’s not under great pressure but the air bubble definitely will escape?

Plumbing is not my strong suit.

Yes, an air bubble form sometimes and reduces flow. I plug the tube with my finger for a second or two and the air bubble goes out the front and normal flow returns. It doesn’t always happen, but when it does the level in the tank rises a bit and my apex sends an alert and my phone beeps. That has become annoying for multiple reasons.

 

[rayadog]

Yes, an air bubble form sometimes and reduces flow. I plug the tube with my finger for a second or two and the air bubble goes out the front and normal flow returns. It doesn’t always happen, but when it does the level in the tank rises a bit and my apex sends an alert and my phone beeps. That has become annoying for multiple reasons.

Thanks! So if you drill that hole, will it be left always open?

 

[exnisstech]

I can't help but wonder if the hole will make the drain noisy and allow more air to be drawn into the water draining not remove air but I really don't know. I suppose a small hole would be easy enough to plug if it doesn't work. The small hole reminds me of trying to quiet down a hob overflow using different sized holes.

 

[BeanAnimal]

There is air being drawn but the velocity is not high enough to pull it through. Drilling the hole may work, but it may also break the siphon high enough that the drain can keep up. The way to test this is removing the 90 and seeing what happens. We can go from there.