Wet/dry filter overflowed, again!

[nano55]

Well, my wet/dry filter overflowed yet again during a power outage :swear:. We have been trying to find out the problem with this system, but just can't get it under control. We have traced a problem to the left side overflow box. When the power is off to the filter, the left side overflow continues to drain down into the sump box until it over flows the box onto the floor. Thank God I have that tank in the Florida room that has a ceramic floor with a floor drain! Is there a possibility that when I was cleaning out the overflow boxes that I could have somehow damaged the seal around the outtake or intake tubes in side the box? I try to be careful when cleaning it, but I guess you never know. I clean the sponges in there every time I clean my tank, but everyonce in awhile I suck out some of the dirty water in the bottom and wipe the walls down inside the overflow boxes.

 

[Sploke]

Can you post a picture of the overflow in question? Is this an in-tank overflow or HOB overflow box? If internal, do you have any type of standpipe in it?

 

[nano55]

Can you post a picture of the overflow in question? Is this an in-tank overflow or HOB overflow box? If internal, do you have any type of standpipe in it?

It is an intank overflow. What is a standpipe? Not sure, sorry, don't know very much about this type of system! I bought it used, and had no instructions. I took a picture of the inside of the overflow box. I just hope I can get this problem fixed!

 

[Sploke]

Ok so that pipe on the right (that would be considered a standpipe), is that perforated all the way down? So when the pump stops, the overflow compartment basically drains completely into the sump?

If that is the case, I would replace that perforated drain pipe with a solid pipe and some sort of strainer or silencer at the top. That means when the pump stops, only 1/2" of water from the overflow would drain out before it got below the drain level, not all the way to the bottom of the overflow chamber.

 

[clayt101]

Let me see if I understand...when the power goes out, the aquarium overflows or the sump overflows? If it is the sump, it may be because your out flow pipe (not pictured) is allowing water to go back into the sump since there is no pump running (it is acting as a siphon). What you need to do is drill a hole in the out flow pipe near where the water enters the aquarium. This way, when you lose power, air will enter the return pipe and therefore break the reverse siphoning that takes place when you lose power.

 

[nano55]

Ok so that pipe on the right (that would be considered a standpipe), is that perforated all the way down? So when the pump stops, the overflow compartment basically drains completely into the sump?

If that is the case, I would replace that perforated drain pipe with a solid pipe and some sort of strainer or silencer at the top. That means when the pump stops, only 1/2" of water from the overflow would drain out before it got below the drain level, not all the way to the bottom of the overflow chamber.

Yes, it is perforated all of the way down. Yes, it drains down into the sump, and then it overflows. When working properly before, when the power was off, the water level in the sump would raise a few inches, and would stop. but now it just overflows. How much water should be in the overflow box when working correctly? Usually there was a couple 2 or 3 inches in the bottom in mine.

 

[Sploke]

When I was running my sump, the water level in the overflow was only about 1/2" lower than the level in the tank, because I had a tall standpipe. It kept the overflow quieter as well, and if there is a leak between the tank and the overflow chamber, a tall standpipe will help to avoid a sump overflow.

 

[clayt101]

When I was running my sump, the water level in the overflow was only about 1/2" lower than the level in the tank, because I had a tall standpipe. It kept the overflow quieter as well, and if there is a leak between the tank and the overflow chamber, a tall standpipe will help to avoid a sump overflow.

Agreed

 

[Cerianthus]

Water level in overflow box is not the question. Rather water level in W/D.
Provided you have something like Reef Ready (built in overflow), raising standpipe in Overflow Box is irrelevant since tank will only drain volume of water that is being pump into tank.

Since you had no flood on previous power outtage, why dont you try the following:

1. Run the system as you would normally run. Mark the water level on W/D when pump is running.

2. Simulate power outtage by unpluggin pump.

3. Check the water level rising in W/D.

4. If water level rises in W/D close to rim, plug back the pump. Remove couple of cups of water from tank. Eventually your water level will drop on W/D when water is removed from system.

5. Repeat the the above steps until you find the right level which wont overflow W/D when is unplugged/powerouttage.

6. Once right water level which will stop before reaching rim of W/D when pump is unplugged, Mark it on W/D (FIANL MARK) and make sure water level in the W/D do not go higher than marked level when adding water to the system while pump is running..

If water level dont gets near the rim of W/D at first attempt of unpluggin, you should not experience another flood.

Now, if bottom of built in overflow is not completely sealed/leaking into overflow box from the bottom, you have to seal the bottom.

How much of the tank water was drain due to power wattage? 1/5, 1/4/ 1/3????? Or did the tank water level maintain just about the teeth on the top of overflow box?

What is the pump size (GPH) and type of pump?

 

[Star_Rider]

Let me see if I understand...when the power goes out, the aquarium overflows or the sump overflows? If it is the sump, it may be because your out flow pipe (not pictured) is allowing water to go back into the sump since there is no pump running (it is acting as a siphon). What you need to do is drill a hole in the out flow pipe near where the water enters the aquarium. This way, when you lose power, air will enter the return pipe and therefore break the reverse siphoning that takes place when you lose power.

definitely worth considering.

on my sump if the outflow is too low(below the overflow) it will drain till siphon breaks.
I simply adjusted my outflow.

you have some good suggestions. and you will benefit by tryong some of the suggestions.