MAME overflow owners - Question for you

[Justind823]

I've had the mame overflow for a few months now and I've never really been able to dial it in perfectly. No problems with siphon or startup I just can't seem to find the sweet spot where I don't get any micro bubbles. The problem it seems is with the height of the intake? I've adjusted the overflow multiple times but it still sucks air bubbles in and shoots them out through the venturi and then the outflow. It's not really bad but it's enough that it's annoying to me...

 

Other than that I love it. Can anyone help me out here?

 

I can post pics if need be, just let me know if a visual would help.

 

[JR!]

how many gph are you running through it?

[hey]

I've had the mame overflow for a few months now and I've never really been able to dial it in perfectly. No problems with siphon or startup I just can't seem to find the sweet spot where I don't get any micro bubbles. The problem it seems is with the height of the intake? I've adjusted the overflow multiple times but it still sucks air bubbles in and shoots them out through the venturi and then the outflow. It's not really bad but it's enough that it's annoying to me...

 

Other than that I love it. Can anyone help me out here?

 

I can post pics if need be, just let me know if a visual would help.

 

a few thoughts, if your surface is agitated or have a wave setting on it will get air into the overflow and be blasted out by the venturi

 

if you have your overflow u tube too low the water level wont be high enough to fully submerge the return tube

 

if there isnt enough flow from the pump air will collect more frequently in the overflow u tube and you get air bubbles

 

just the first few things that come to mind

[Justind823]

how many gph are you running through it?

 

 

Probably 200-220 gph. I have a QO1200 on it and it's dialed back a bit. Enough to restart siphon.

 

a few thoughts, if your surface is agitated or have a wave setting on it will get air into the overflow and be blasted out by the venturi

 

if you have your overflow u tube too low the water level wont be high enough to fully submerge the return tube

 

if there isnt enough flow from the pump air will collect more frequently in the overflow u tube and you get air bubbles

 

just the first few things that come to mind

 

There is minimal surface agitation, no waves or anything.

 

I've tried everything between all the way up and all the way down - still get bubbles.

 

I've had the return turned up all the way and it seems to get worse. The bubbles are definitely coming from the overflow intake itself. Instead of a smooth suction like I've seen in photos of other mames there are bubbles being gradually being pulled in through the overflow.

 

 

Do guys have any measurements or pictures of your overflows setup? Maybe there is a height that's off in one of the connections causing this?

 

Thanks for your help guys

[JR!]

Take a look at my 60f thread. Might be some in there. I'll see what's I can find

[hey]

Probably 200-220 gph. I have a QO1200 on it and it's dialed back a bit. Enough to restart siphon.

 

 

There is minimal surface agitation, no waves or anything.

 

I've tried everything between all the way up and all the way down - still get bubbles.

 

I've had the return turned up all the way and it seems to get worse. The bubbles are definitely coming from the overflow intake itself. Instead of a smooth suction like I've seen in photos of other mames there are bubbles being gradually being pulled in through the overflow.

 

 

Do guys have any measurements or pictures of your overflows setup? Maybe there is a height that's off in one of the connections causing this?

 

Thanks for your help guys

 

try drastically cutting the flowrate back then slowly increase it til it starts the suction that sounds like it may have a bit too much flow. I know mines probably running 130 gph or so

[Justind823]

try drastically cutting the flowrate back then slowly increase it til it starts the suction that sounds like it may have a bit too much flow. I know mines probably running 130 gph or so

 

Is that enough to get the siphon restarted? I find that when I dial my pump all the way back, 50% of the time it won't restart the siphon. So that means that I could have been overestimating what I'm actually getting from the pump. The QO1200 I use can be dialed back but I can't find any info on the estimated gph I get at any of those settings.

[hey]

Is that enough to get the siphon restarted? I find that when I dial my pump all the way back, 50% of the time it won't restart the siphon. So that means that I could have been overestimating what I'm actually getting from the pump. The QO1200 I use can be dialed back but I can't find any info on the estimated gph I get at any of those settings.

 

hmm i have a different set up for adjusting my pump via a t off the pump on to display one directed back at the sump. I put a ball valve on the line back to the sump and open it up to reduce flow to the display.

 

heres a link to one running that looks similar to mine only my overflow sticks straight out inside of to the left like the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaYnAK3Rz-4

 

also another thing that messes with it is if your return is pointed too close to the overflow the agitation lets air in that way aswell

[Justind823]

hmm i have a different set up for adjusting my pump via a t off the pump on to display one directed back at the sump. I put a ball valve on the line back to the sump and open it up to reduce flow to the display.

 

heres a link to one running that looks similar to mine only my overflow sticks straight out inside of to the left like the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaYnAK3Rz-4

 

also another thing that messes with it is if your return is pointed too close to the overflow the agitation lets air in that way aswell

 

Mine looks to be setup the same way. Although is that bubble supposed to be there near the venturi like it is in the vid?

 

I may do something similar with a ball valve.

[hey]

Mine looks to be setup the same way. Although is that bubble supposed to be there near the venturi like it is in the vid?

 

I may do something similar with a ball valve.

 

that will occur at start up when siphon is lost. His looks like flow needs dialed up a tad bit as it isn't clearing that bubble fast enough for my taste. More flow = faster siphon start but too much flow and you will have water splashing out of that vertical tube you put the silencer over.

[Justind823]

that will occur at start up when siphon is lost. His looks like flow needs dialed up a tad bit as it isn't clearing that bubble fast enough for my taste. More flow = faster siphon start but too much flow and you will have water splashing out of that vertical tube you put the silencer over.

 

Make sense. It sounds like my flow is in about the right area. I'll have to do some more tinkering I guess.

[hey]

Make sense. It sounds like my flow is in about the right area. I'll have to do some more tinkering I guess.

 

First thing id probably try is raise the overflow tube to as high as you are comfortable with and lower the return nozzle as far as you can without the flow pushing it off.

 

How is your sump set up is it possible your air bubbles are coming from there?

[Justind823]

First thing id probably try is raise the overflow tube to as high as you are comfortable with and lower the return nozzle as far as you can without the flow pushing it off.

 

How is your sump set up is it possible your air bubbles are coming from there?

 

Yea I'll start with that.

 

It's not the sump, I'm sure of that. I can see air bubbles forming in the overflow and then being pulled through and shot back out. A small bubble goes through and shoots out every couple minutes.

[hey]

Yea I'll start with that.

 

It's not the sump, I'm sure of that. I can see air bubbles forming in the overflow and then being pulled through and shot back out. A small bubble goes through and shoots out every couple minutes.

 

Sorry heres another case, how much algae is in it. That will impede flow and cause air bubbles too.

[Justind823]

Sorry heres another case, how much algae is in it. That will impede flow and cause air bubbles too.

 

Nah I keep it pretty clean. Good thought though

 

I got me fancy brushes and everything

[Justind823]

Sorry heres another case, how much algae is in it. That will impede flow and cause air bubbles too.

 

Hey hey! Where did you get the globe valve you mentioned? I might give that a try as I am still getting the micro bubbles. It's better but not perfect. It could very well be the amount of flow but I have no way of fine tuning it down anymore.

[hey]

Hey hey! Where did you get the globe valve you mentioned? I might give that a try as I am still getting the micro bubbles. It's better but not perfect. It could very well be the amount of flow but I have no way of fine tuning it down anymore.

Lowes, its just a sch 40 pvc valve I don't know if they sell anything other than globes in sch 40 at lowes though. A gate valve would work too I guess but I think globe was better in this scenario.

[Formula462]

I can't see one and not think of a convoluted bong device.

[hey]

I can't see one and not think of a convoluted bong device.

 

this is why we can't have nice things, lol

[MyNanoReef]

I'm having the same issue...I'm using a Mag5 for the return pump...the only difference is I'm running the return through a chiller first before the water hits the tank. I also have a ball valve installed at the pump, but if I dialed it just right to where there's no micro bubbles, then the auto siphon is hit or miss on a restart. If I open it up just enough to get the siphon going, I get micro bubbles up the wa-zoo!