Overflow problems

[mcmunn93]

Hi i have a tmc 900 and my return pipe goes into a rollermat filter. Every time i turn the return pipe of and restart the tank will just keep filling and no water goes down the overflow. Which i guessing something to do with suction maybe. The only way for me to start again is blowing air into the rollermat. But if there was a electric cut i would be screwed. What can i do to stop this. Here are some pics. Sorry if wrong way round. So my overflow is the black pipe to the left then into box

 

[cjd]

Have you ever had this system running without the roller mat installed ? Did this issue just arise after installing the roller mat ? From the looks of the first pic. , is that just a 90 degree elbow coming directly out of the tank ? I am no expert in plumbing by any means , there are many ways to plumb overflows , but I am thinking air is being trapped in the line when the flow shuts off . Maybe a durso type standpipe in the back instead of just the 90 elbow so the pipe can vent through the hole at the top. Like I said I am no expert and saying this will be the fix. And I have never used a roller mat . That's why I am wondering if the system worked without the mat installed and it just started after installation.

 

[cjd]

looking at those pics , where in the sump pic does the drain go from the back of the tank? Is it that black hose that does a loop like a roller coaster ? Entering the sump area from behind the protein skimmer, underneath the white pipe (that is going across left to right) , wrapping around up over the white pipe and then excess tubing arched upwards into the left corner and then down out to the left through the wall into the roller mat??? I would think gravity is the issue here if that is the way the drain flows . It should be a straight shot down , not looping all over .....especially UP!

 

[mcmunn93]

Hi thank you for getting back the pipe does go down from the tank into rollermat. This problem only accrued when the rollermat was installed. I have a pic below red line is the pipe going from top of tank to the rollermat. The yellow the roller coaster one lol is the return pipe which is fine no dramas there.

I had this rollermat on my old tank and its the same setup which worked fine but that was all pvc pipe.

 

[mcmunn93]

This is where the water enters rollermat. And i do have air bubbles coming out.

 

[cjd]

Before the roller mat was installed im guessing the drain line hung over the sump and probably into a filter sock . Was The drain line submerged before like it is now? I am guessing with the roller mat inlet being underwater it is creating back pressure not allowing water to flow. I f the inlet to the roller mat was above that water line im sure it would flow through . Like I said I have plumbed my share of tanks but never with a roller mat and have always used a durso stand pipe. I would try installing a simple durso pipe behind the tank with a air hole drilled in the top to let air out. I have never just had a 90 degree as an overflow. But yes if the water doesn't drain when the power comes back on after an outage your looking at a hot mess. it be worth to take that offline and just drain directly into the sump until you can figure it out.

 

[mcmunn93]

So i have just installed a air hole pipe on top and still no joy. It must be back pressure. And ball check valve wouldnt work would it

 

[cjd]

Ball valve would reduce flow even more . Did you make it like this?

 

[mcmunn93]

Yes

 

[cjd]

Crap!

 

[mcmunn93]

Maybe the pipe im using is too small cause it worked with pvc on last which was bigger

 

[cjd]

Standard is 1 inch drain pipe for most applications. It looks like the stock overflow gives others troubles as well. I researched some things and it looks like people upgrade the stock overflow with either an X - Aqua overflow or a Ocean life overflow. Main complaint seems to be lack of flow and flooding with the stock set up. Other reefers with this tank upgrade to either of theses and report better flow . It seems these are a direct fit so no added drilling or anything . Just a simple replacement. Other than that , I am at a loss . Good luck and let me know how things go.......

 

[mcmunn93]

Yeah so i changed the overflow piping. Put new bulkhead on as the stock one went from large hole to thin piping. Put a L pipe on and air pipe on top like you said. And it fixed the problem flow is 100 times better.

 

[cjd]

Awesome!!