Standpipe height inside overflow ?

daveydoodle · Feb 1, 2012

Does the height of the standpipe, Durso in this case, inside the corner overflow matter? (essentially the waterline inside the overflow) Can it be 1/2 the height of the overflow box, or 2/3 or 3/4, etc?
I know the waterline height in the sump tank matters in case of powerfailure, but is there a specific formula or consideration when cutting the height to the standpipe itself?

daveydoodle · Feb 1, 2012

I meant to sneak two questions in there - do people prime and cement PVC and then paint it (Krylon Fusion Black) or can it be painted first, dried for 24+ hours, and then primed and cemented? Does it matter which?

daveydoodle · Feb 2, 2012

Anyone ?? Bueller ??

Tank102a · Feb 2, 2012

Q1)
I think that the stand pipe should be as high as possible while still conceled inside the overflow, you want to reduce the noise so why would you build one low ? So that the water can make noise falling over the over flow? Mine is just below the overflow box edge, the water level difference beyween the tank and overflow is about 1 inch

Hope that helps

Q2)
No idea

daveydoodle · Feb 3, 2012

So the only variable it sounds like that you have to consider is the noise the DT water makes while entering the overflow? The higher the water level the quieter, obviously. Right?

lawnman · Feb 3, 2012

Correct. I have always primed and glued my pipes before painting. The Krylon fusion will still chip over time in water. I have never used the fusion on pipes in the water but have seen it done.

Reef Breeders · Feb 3, 2012

I wouldn't paint them, go online and buy black PVC. The paint will just flake off and harm your tank.

daveydoodle · Feb 4, 2012

I've read posts here and at RC that say PVC can be painted with Krylon Fusion paint, and then let dry for 24-48 hours. Once cured and solid, it can be used either in or outside of the tank weater. I was asking because if you paint first, then prime and cement, you get more complete coverage. If you prime and cement first, the paint job might not look as good in case you miss spots or it's not even. I think I might try the first way.

boehm742 · Feb 4, 2012

lawnman said:
Correct. I have always primed and glued my pipes before painting. The Krylon fusion will still chip over time in water. I have never used the fusion on pipes in the water but have seen it done.

This.

ReeferEric · Feb 4, 2012

I would paint after as well. My friend who I acquired my tank from didn't like the white PVC so he painted them individually and then tried to cement them together. Let's just say the paint didn't hold and there was salt creep.

Assemble and then paint.

florida reef · Feb 4, 2012

Something else to think about, the height of the overflow pipe will affect the amount of water that drains to your sump in the event of a power outage/return pump failure. I know this has caused some problems for reefers in the past.

whyzee429 · Feb 4, 2012

florida reef said:
Something else to think about, the height of the overflow pipe will affect the amount of water that drains to your sump in the event of a power outage/return pump failure. I know this has caused some problems for reefers in the past.

I'm trying to understand this as well. Why does it matter how tall the stand pipe is in case of a power outage or pump failure? Whether its 1" or 15" the water in the DT will stop draining once it gets level with the slots/edge on the overflow, right?

whyzee429 · Feb 27, 2012

Anyone?

M&M · Feb 27, 2012

If your standpipe is high water will fill up the overflow chamber first whatever the size is (gal.) before going down to sump,this way less water goes down.

ibbennyb · Feb 27, 2012

whyzee429 said:
Anyone?

the water will stop once it gets to the overflow itself.. you still get extra drain as it would lower it to the highest point of the pipe. but regardless. the main cause for sump overflow is not drilling a hole in the return lines

Troylee · Feb 28, 2012

ibbennyb said:
the water will stop once it gets to the overflow itself.. you still get extra drain as it would lower it to the highest point of the pipe. but regardless. the main cause for sump overflow is not drilling a hole in the return lines

This..1smile1

whyzee429 · Feb 28, 2012

Causing a siphon in the return line if a pump fails, Troylee? If you were to drill a hole(.187?) one inch below the water line, would that be sufficient?

Reef Breeders · Feb 28, 2012

That size hole should work, I would reccomend a check valve in accordance, I bought a check valve and no water drains when the pump goes off. In my dt, I have the hole drilled but no check, and the water will not stop until it goes halway dow my return pipes in the tank.