Return Bulkhead so deep?

[Squiddy]

I just got a new SeaStar tank from Mike at Hidden Reef and have now got it all set up but was wondering why the bulkhead in the overflow box is so low down. If I turn the pump off, 4+ inches of water (90 gallon tank) will drain into the sump, overflowing it.


Showing return bulkhead drilled into overflow box

I know I will need to get some locline or something to aim the returned water but I guess I am going to have to bring whatever line I have coming out of there, up to the surface so that only a small amount siphons back into the sump. Any suggestions?

Also, the drain standpipe seems to be sitting quite high in the overflow box. I screwed it down as far as I could into the bulkhead in the bottom and the rest of it was already pre-glued but right now if I open the return line up fully, the level in the tank goes too high and looks like it might overflow. The pump I am using for now will do about 500gph at 5ft.


Showing temporary sump and flow restricted with ball valve


Showing where return and drain lines come through bottom of tank inside overflow box


Showing view from inside overflow box of return line (reflection) and top of standpipe (right)

I assumed that these kinds of things should have been already set from the factory. I will obviously have to lower the height of the stand pipe which will unfortunately require cutting and rejoining the pipe because everything is already glued together.

Am I doing something wrong here or is this pretty normal? My previous 90gal wasn't drilled so I haven't had to deal with this kind of thing before. Please help. Thanks

[Jason McK]

Usually Mike does everything custom. You didn't ask him to do that?

J

[GrimReefer]

Looks like you could easily put a check valve on the return to solve your sump overflow issue.

[Farrmanchu]

The water level in the overflow box looks too high, a lower standpipe might help. It's hard to troubleshoot these type of problems from pics. Maybe wider slots in the overflow. Anyways, you want to bring the tank water level down somehow, and have as much room as possible in the sump. Check valves can fail, then you still have the worry of an overflow. Lockline going from the bulkhead to within an inch of the surface would do the trick too.

[Squiddy]

I had no idea Mike customizes the tanks.. I assumed it came from the factory like this. I will definitely need to take the standpipe out and cut it down I guess. I supposed I wouldn't have to glue the coupler on when I join it back together would I? If I left it unglued, then I have the ability to adjust the length at any time.

I had thought about putting a check valve inline with the return but have heard that they do fail and so I'd rather fix it at the output. Would locline seal enough to prevent water from seeping back down the return line? Or would I have to put solid PVC up to the surface and then run locline from there?

I have been only turning on the return pump when I get home from work in the evenings because I'm scared something is going to go wrong. I'm glad I put that ball valve in there.

[Jason McK]

I would give Mike a call. The overflow teeth do not look like what usually comes out of Mike store. Maybe he could redo the overflow box and bring the return up over the overflow


J

[SuperFudge]

That one is not custom, it is what Sea star supplies.

It is also standard sea star overflows, and drain pipes.

The 2" extention on the pipe is not glued so you can cut it to your needs.

Cut at about 3/4" below the bottom of the overflow fingers, for a pump that runs about 500 gph, the bigger the pump the more you cut it down.

If you are unsure, leave as a dry fit, there is no need to glue that joint.

I like to leave them high enouph to leave a definate drop in water,making sure you are surface skimming well, but not enouph to make noise.

On sea star or any euro braced tanks, it is also nice to run the water line in the tank high enouph to just touch the bottom of the bracing.
If not, it will develop salt creep and block light.

The hole through the overflow is meant to have a threaded street 90 fit into int with another 90 off of that...Or some locline.
This is done because the overflows are glass inside and cannot be drilled that close to the edge.
This will prevent backsiphon down to that hieght.


Marc.

[Jason McK]

there you go, I thought there would be a logical explanation.

J