New sump with DIY PVC overflow pictures

[Glennrf38]

Got the 20 G sump going for the 29G tank. The DIY PVC overflow seems to be working great (see pictures). I have turned it on and off probably 20 times so far and not one problem.
Every 2 or 3 minutes I get a big gurgle, but I think installing a air check valve should cure it. The only problem I have with it is when I completely empty the overflow, it is hard to get started again. Once it is started it runs fine. Any ideas on the hard start?
Tanks seems to be coming back to life after the heat wave crash of 06


Back of the tank and sump

DIY PVC overflow


Glenn

[albert_dao]

you could hook an airhose at the top of the standpipe to the venturi of one of your powerheads. This should keep the unit primed.

Here's a diagram:

[Funky_Fish14]

Albert.... thats the most ballin thing I've seen in my life! Haha.

I agree with Albert, should keep it going! Im not sure if that will have enough strength to refill the pipe though?

[Glennrf38]

It stays primed through all the shut downs and startup. That part works great. The only time it is hard to start up is if I actually take it out and empty the tubes completely. The tube might help the big gurgle every 3 minutes though.

Thanks

Glenn

[Lofus]

If you take the cap off of the standpipe and have a valve upstream of the pump, then since the standpipe is higher than the overflow you could take a bucket of tank water and pour it into the standpipe when you wanted to prime it. Then turn on your pump and open the valve and off you go.

[Joe Reefer]

How deep is the overflow pipe in your sump. It should only be 1 or 2 inches from the water level. I had the same gurgling problem when I set my tank up.

[KarlK]

I love it. I tried something like this about 2 years ago, but I didn't pursue the fine tuning of it.

Glad to see you've got it mostly working.