Newbee. Standpipe help please

[Cornerboy]

Hi everyone!!

Thank you so much for all the help you provide here. I've learned so much from this fourm!

So I've been building this 55 gallon Corner tank since November and I finally have water in the tank and it's cycling I built a Stockman standpipe but had trouble getting the siphon to start before the corner overflow filled and overflowed. (The refugium is 20 feet away plumbed sideways in another room). The bottom of the tank is tempered glass and there was no way to put another hole in for an emergency overflow. So I drilled some more holes in the side of the standpipe and now it's just working like normal non siphoning overflow would. The overflows in the corner into Tinker with anything back there I have to be on my tiptoes and use tongs and such, so making any rapid adjustments is out of the question and diong anything while the water is flowing is dicey.

So my question is this. Is there a way too quiet the Overflow WITHOUT using one of the siphoning standpipe systems? I was wondering if just putting a big sponge on the standpipe might work or something like that. I know this is a sub-optimal solution but I would appreciate any advice.

Thank you all so very much!!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Hi everyone!!

Thank you so much for all the help you provide here. I've learned so much from this fourm!

So I've been building this 55 gallon Corner tank since November and I finally have water in the tank and it's cycling I built a Stockman standpipe but had trouble getting the siphon to start before the corner overflow filled and overflowed. (The refugium is 20 feet away plumbed sideways in another room). The bottom of the tank is tempered glass and there was no way to put another hole in for an emergency overflow. So I drilled some more holes in the side of the standpipe and now it's just working like normal non siphoning overflow would. The overflows in the corner into Tinker with anything back there I have to be on my tiptoes and use tongs and such, so making any rapid adjustments is out of the question and diong anything while the water is flowing is dicey.

So my question is this. Is there a way too quiet the Overflow WITHOUT using one of the siphoning standpipe systems? I was wondering if just putting a big sponge on the standpipe might work or something like that. I know this is a sub-optimal solution but I would appreciate any advice.

Thank you all so very much!!

Can you take some pictures?

 

[Cornerboy]

Can you take some pictures?

 

[Cornerboy]

Sure thing!!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Okay, your drain pipes are to low running to the sump. There isn't enough head pressure from the DT to the sump, can't push water up into the sump.

You need to raise your plumbing up from the DT to the sump above the sumps height so it can drain properly.

Also with a long run horizontally to the sump, you need the plumbing to slightly tilt down to the sump.

 

[Cornerboy]

Okay, your drain pipes are to low running to the sump. There isn't enough head pressure from the DT to the sump, can't push water up into the sump.

You need to raise your plumbing up from the DT to the sump above the sumps height so it can drain properly.

Also with a long run horizontally to the sump, you need the plumbing to slightly tilt down to the sump.

That's a good idea, but at this point it's a lot more of a solution that I'm looking for. I get plenty of flow as it is there's just a bunch of gurgling. The return pumps pushing about 450 gallons an hour and it's more than draining that fine, or I wouldn't have all this gurgling sound. Lol

 

[Flippers4pups]

That's a good idea, but at this point it's a lot more of a solution that I'm looking for. I get plenty of flow as it is there's just a bunch of gurgling. The return pumps pushing about 450 gallons an hour and it's more than draining that fine, or I wouldn't have all this gurgling sound. Lol

Unfortunately, what I've started is the problem. Horizontal runs can trap air in the lines and any elbows. In your case, pressure has to build up to force the water out the end of the plumbing. When the pressure is high enough, it can flush all at once leaving a air pocket to form in the pipe. The process then starts all over again.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I know it's not what you want to hear, but until you change the way it's plumbed, it will continue to "gurgle".

 

[Cornerboy]

I hear what you are saying. It will be easy enough to raise the plumbing by the DT 8-12 inches. I'll try that but i think i want to try some simpler stuff first.

I would get gurgling from my stand pipe even if I fix the plumbing because it's no longer a syphoning standpipe. Right?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I hear what you are saying. It will be easy enough to raise the plumbing by the DT 8-12 inches. I'll try that but i think i want to try some simpler stuff first.

I would get gurgling from my stand pipe even if I fix the plumbing because it's no longer a syphoning standpipe. Right?

Your drain set up is not set up to syphon as in a "Herbie" system. Yours is like mine, a "Durso" drain system. It's drains on gravity, not suction. It needs to pull air in with the water to work, but you have back pressure causing air to be trapped. Thus "gurgle".

 

[cracker]

Good point, Flipper, You think he could tee off the horizontal drain & put in a tall vent pipe wouldn't have to be big ?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Good point, Flipper, You think he could tee off the horizontal drain & put in a tall vent pipe wouldn't have to be big ?

The vertical rise at the end going into the sump will trap air. It needs to be replumbed.

 

[Cornerboy]

Oh... Well, it was a Stockman that was supposed to drain using a siphon when I built it. Lok

 

[Cornerboy]

Nah. It not worth doing all that. But thanks anyway!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Oh... Well, it was a Stockman that was supposed to drain using a siphon when I built it. Lok

You could try to change the entry point in the overflow to a traditional "Durso" elbow. It might help a little.

 

[Flippers4pups]

 

[cracker]

Had to look again. I see now.
I can't see an easy fix. Sorry Corner,

 

[Flippers4pups]

Yep, sorry. I wish I could you more. Good luck with it.

 

[WVNed]

I would try replacing the elbow above the sump with a tee and place a standpipe to vent the air.

 

[Cornerboy]

I think i will try that. Both the Durso and the T. Thanks!!

I can also put a bend in the flexible tubing under the DT like under the sink. That is 3 cheep easy things that will help some.

I'm wondering if i got a DC return pump and dialed it in closer to the drain flow if that would help. Not cheep, but it should, right?