[jtravapd]

so far , the help from this website has been incredible, every problem i have had has been solved and my tank is finally stable and everything is running great....this really isn't that big of a problem but it bothers me, and i know im nitpicking but maybe you guys can help...on my tank (180 gallon) i have two corner overflows predrilled...i had one magdrive 1200 running both returns , but i recently upgraded and now have one magdrive 12 on each return which is working great...the water is really clear, and im getting excellent water flow...however on my returns in the overflow, i have pvc piping that runs from the bottom of the tank to the top of the overflow, then the outlet piece is a Y shaped piece that lets me aim the return in two different directions...Now to the problem.....on the pvc piping there is a hole at the top, that is supposed to stop the water from draining in reverse to the sump if there is ever a power failure...so the water stops once it gets to that point..the problem is when the power is on , and the pump is flowing water is shooting out of that hole at an insane impount of power..looks like a fire hydrant is opened...i have no problem with this only that it causes air bubbles to fill the tank which i hate..my question is, has anyone else had this problem, if so how did u solve it?..i can turn down the power of the pump but i dont want to do that...and i dont want to cover the hole incase we do have a power failure...just curious if anyone else came up with something to solve this problem..i can live with it, but the water is soo clean and clear id rather not see the tank filled with bubbles, it makes it look like its dirty...thanks in advance for the help..

[NATIVEVAMAN]

If done correctly the anti siphon hole should spray back into the overflow so the air thing doesnt happen. Mine is in bottom of the last elbow before the pipe goes back into the tank.Pointing downward.

[jtravapd]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

If done correctly the anti siphon hole should spray back into the overflow so the air thing doesnt happen. Mine is in bottom of the last elbow before the pipe goes back into the tank.Pointing downward.

hmmm...so what if i closed off the area that leads out to the tank so the spray just goes back into the overflow?...how i would do this im not sure..lol....i gotta rig some kind of plastic dam or something on both sides..

[NATIVEVAMAN]

just put some kind screw in the hole to plug it up.....but you will need a new hole

[glampka]

Ideally the hole should be placed just below the surface of the water. In the event of a power/pump outage you'll only siphon out to the level where the hole is at. I agree with native, somehow plug the hole & redrill. Don't think I'd use a screw though. Just be sure your sump can handle that volume.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

A hole of 1/8 or so shouldnt effect the volume in the overflow all that much.How about cutting off a 1 inch piece of the same size pipe and then cut that lengthwise and glue it over the whole? If you have an elbow in your return line just where it goes back into the main tank you should drill the whole in the bottom of that elbow pointing down. In theory that elbow should be above the main tank water level. If the pipe is glued in place this will be very difficult to accomplish and you may want to drill the new hole in the back of the fitting above the water level and squirting back into the overflow and hope it doesnt splash up on your lights.Its always the smallest problems that go unforseen and cause the biggest pain the ***.

[jtravapd]

well, i was able to redirect the huge waterflows back into the overflow, and it didn't solve the problem...it seems its a mixture of bubbles and sand....could i have too much water flow?..somewhow i doubt it.., i have the two magdrive 12's pushing two returns with Y extensions..., 3 maxijet 900's along the back top of the tank, and 2 maxijet 900s on the back corners near the bottom .......like i said the water is crystal clear, its just i see debris/bubbles floating and its bothering me...i have like a 4inch sandbed..maybe i have too much sand?...or maybe im just being a baby like my loving girlfriend has told me.hahaha..

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Is thre a chance your skimmer is making the bubbles?Do you have a sock on the overflow where it dumps into the sump? I either case baffle of rock rubble could cure the problem.

[jtravapd]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

Is thre a chance your skimmer is making the bubbles?Do you have a sock on the overflow where it dumps into the sump? I either case baffle of rock rubble could cure the problem.

im alittle confused...i have my skimmer inside my sump...and the returns from my two overflows come down to the top of the sump, where they pass through filter media , then onto bio balls ( i know im working on getting live rock..money is tight..lol) ..im just curious how the skimmer could be making the bubbles...should i lower the skimmer alittle?....

[pogodzib]

Ideally, the anti-siphon hole should be above the bottom of your overflow weir, yet below the water level when the pumps are on. When your pumps are running, your tank's water level goes up until your pumps output equals your overflow weir capacity at that depth. The anti-siphon holes should be under the pumps on water elevation so there is no air being pushed into the tank. When your pumps are off, the tank's water level will go down until they get to the lowest point on the overflow weir so you want your holes to be at or above that point. I hope that makes some sense.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Skimmers make bubbles,its how they work. and on some skimmers bubbles escape back into the overflow. Some bubbles may be caused by your overflow. And micro bubbles can stay in the water for a very long time.I would say that you need to put the rock rubble in an under over flow system between your skimmer and return pump to reduce them some.
I have to disagree with pogo about the anti siphon holes location. A hole anywhere beneath the tanks water level is how far down the water can siphon. In order for the siphon to stop it must be broken above the tank water level. Im sorry but its a matter of physics. Maybe a third voice might help....anyone?

[jtravapd]

just to let everyone know, the problem is solved...i just ripped off a piece of filter pad, and blocked the water from shooting crazy into the tank...took like 3 hours and the tank is completely clear.....just incase anyone is having the same problem it worked perfectly..thanks for everyones replies...