New to forums in need of some help.

[TheStaches]

Howdy everyone the names Eric.

Been lurking around for the past few months after having the itch to start a reef tank. Everything has been going smoothly but there's just one last thing i cant figure out and finally had to ask for help.

I have a Mr. Aqua 12g long draining to a 20g sump through a gravity fed siphon overflow(i think that's the right term). I can get the flow/siphon rate equal with an inline ball valve but in the case of a power outage air becomes trapped in my overflow line and causes the flow to decrease which in turn causes a flood.

Idea 1: Put a T-line in which will allow those bubbles to escape the plumbing.(seems logical but no idea if it will work)
Idea 2: Use an L bracket on my bulkhead facing up to siphon the water. (sticks out a lot in the tank and oh god is it loud...)

I would love to keep the plumbing to a minimum to keep with the minimalist look but practicality beats looks any day.
Here's a link to a tank i'm trying to imitate if it helps at all. http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=296235&st=60

Pics of my setup.
http://i46.tinypic.com/2cxe22q.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/2q9wcoh.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/33kae55.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/11v2skx.jpg

[bradreef]

external durso overflow.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=external+durso+overflow&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1008&bih=616&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=4r5QOsUyZgcQsM:&imgrefurl=http://www.nano-reef.com/gallery/showphoto.php%3Fphoto%3D16228&docid=9PqzqKe6tj5X1M&imgurl=http://www.nano-reef.com/gallery/data/500/extdurso.jpg&w=576&h=500&ei=Wq3bT6TeOZHLrQe_5qiSCQ&zoom=1

[bradreef]

love the tank look though. what have you decided as far as equipment?

[bradreef]

Fyi your water level will be roughly around the top of the overflow line but I would put a screen on it at least. you could add a 90 and a screen at an angle to control the water height. also if you don't have a screen things can get stuck in the overflow and clog it.

[TheStaches]

Thanks for the quick reply i will give it a try.

Equipment for the time being:
tunze 1073.02 return pump
tunze nano 6015 powerhead
Rapid LED DIY lights

[TheStaches]

Heres a pic of the 90 degree elbow. I think i could live with how it looks now any ideas of how to quiet that gurgling sound? ive read about sticking some airline tube down the pipe but didnt quite understand how this would help.

http://i45.tinypic.com/2csdu2d.jpg

[bradreef]

the durso will help a bit, you have to adjust the hole size. I bought a black 90 from aquatic warehouse a week or so ago. looks better for a couple dollars.


Good equipment list.

[TheStaches]

Yea this white one is just a test to see if it will work. I'll see what I can do about quieting this one down for now and if it doesnt work ill try the durso mod. Thank you for your help.

[Reef Dreams]

My tanks at the shop are all similar shallow tanks you should come check out and see we can discuss yours.