Stupid Question Concerning Overflow Plumbing
 

In my overflow I have an adjustable telescopice pipe with an elbow at the top with an strainer. The height of it determines the water level in the tank. I don't know what it is called so that is the description. Question, how to take it out to clean it? If I remove the whole peice will all the water start draining in to the sump? How would I prevent this? I would like to take it out as there is some huge aptasia that are attached to it. I'm sure that is the breeding area for them. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

That is called a durso style overflow just the water from the overflow will drain when the pipe is removed nothing you can do about it

Turn off your return pump. Sounds like your not running a herbie and you only have the single drain.

I have 2 drains. I guess the only way to remove them with out draining the water would be to put a ball valve and closing them on each hose going to the sump. Correct?

Like said before, if the return pump is turned off the only water that will drain will be what is in your overflow

but if you have ball valve on both, thats not an issue. just pullout your pipes for your emergency and your drain and clean them

if this standpipe is in a overflow chamber that's all the water the will flow into the sump. Easy enough to calculate the volume of the chamber and if your sump has remaining room.

I should have mentioned that the overflow is full of water and there is some slots at the half way point to allow water to go inside. So the tank will drain to that point. Like I said "stupid question". So I think the only answer is the ball valves that I would have to put in before I remove the pipes.

seen some overflow chambers that are doubled layered, slits on bottom outside piece then water flows over the top of the inner layer.

Would seem rather silly that the slits on yours would be all the way through. Not a smart way to build overflow.

Thanks Mark yes it was double walled. I was able to take out both drains and both pipes from the return lines. I tried to vacum out as much of the sludge on the bottom but it was too thick for my "tank only shop vac". I poured a half a bucket of fresh water in the overflow and this is the water that came out that came out. This is after sitting in the bucket for 1hr.
http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h.../sludge001.jpg

After pouring water out this is the 2" of sludge that was left that was filled with some pretty big bristtle worms.
http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h.../sludge003.jpg

This tank has been setup for about 3 years. How often do you people clean out your overflows? I've never thought of it.