Question about DIY trickle filter/overflow

mr_jared13 · 03-03-2011, 10:10 PM

I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Jared and I own a 1.5 year old QLD Murray River Turtle and I am looking at building a DIY trickle filter.

I understand how the overflow works and have gotten a few idea's from other people on this thread. The only thing I don't understand is what happens if the overflow loses suction through air bubbles or something similar and the pump in the sump keeps pumping water into the main tank and it overflows?

I don't know if there is an easy way to prevent this. I am basing the filter off the design attached.

All help would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to being able to help other people if I can.

Cheers Jared

Koilady · 03-03-2011, 10:51 PM

Hi Jared. I'm afraid I don't understand this type of filter. The ones we make are downflows. The water goes into the top of the filter, down through the bio-media and up through a pipe on the inside of the filter to the top and out to the pond. The whole barrel fills with water. The only thing I have to clean is the window screening I use at the top of the filter to catch debris and then backwash once every four to six weeks.

Yours Koily, Lorraine

mr_jared13 · 03-04-2011, 02:04 AM

Sorry, I should of made myself clearer!

GraphicGr8s · 05-25-2011, 11:25 AM

You could use a float switch in the sump.
On the overflow you have a check valve at the very top. Hook that up to a powerhead to draw out any air.

Just looking at the design I don't see how it could maintain a siphon.

03-03-2011, 10:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Koilady Koilady Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 11 Name: Lorraine Location: Canada Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Question about DIY trickle filter/overflow Hi Jared. I'm afraid I don't understand this type of filter. The ones we make are downflows. The water goes into the top of the filter, down through the bio-media and up through a pipe on the inside of the filter to the top and out to the pond. The whole barrel fills with water. The only thing I have to clean is the window screening I use at the top of the filter to catch debris and then backwash once every four to six weeks. Yours Koily, Lorraine

03-04-2011, 02:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
mr_jared13 Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 2 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Question about DIY trickle filter/overflow Sorry, I should of made myself clearer!

05-25-2011, 11:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
GraphicGr8s Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 28 Name: George Location: Land O Lakes, FL Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Question about DIY trickle filter/overflow You could use a float switch in the sump. On the overflow you have a check valve at the very top. Hook that up to a powerhead to draw out any air. Just looking at the design I don't see how it could maintain a siphon. Last edited by GraphicGr8s : 05-25-2011 at 11:37 AM.

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