jaygalindo
Mariners Fanatic
I did a 10% water change the other day and for some reason now the overflow isn't draining as fast as it was prior to the water change. Any help would be great. I am running an Eshopps ext. overflow and a mag 7.
Overflow problems
- Thread starter jaygalindo
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Mopar Reefer
I need a cheaper hobby!
Is your overflow return line plastic or hard line? You may need to "burp" it/ purge the air trapped inside. Or you could possibly have a snail trapped in the line, its happened to me a few times until i built a snail trap 
jaygalindo
Mariners Fanatic
Is your overflow return line plastic or hard line? You may need to "burp" it/ purge the air trapped inside. Or you could possibly have a snail trapped in the line, its happened to me a few times until i built a snail trap
Its spa flex PVC. How do I purge it?
mercedes
Well-known member
Spa Flex has a smooth interior surface and shouldn't trap air as long as its a straight run down to the sump. There would only be air in the spa flex if the pipe was making up and down bends.
Mopar Reefer
I need a cheaper hobby!
Squeeze it with your bare hands a couple of times, atleast thats what I have to do every now and then when the power shuts off. This may not work as I'm not familiar with Spa Flex tubing.
Myteemouse
NOTHING
I just looked up your type of overflow.
It is a "U " tube overflow.. right?
you cant squeeze spa flex it's too hard..it's the hard stuff with the spiral hard plastic on the outside..
take a small length of air line and literally stick it in the bend or "U" tube of the over flow and suck out the air..
The best way to fix this in the future is to drill a tiny hole on the very top of the "U" tube just big enough for a piece of air line then glue one in there and get an "AQUA LIFTER" pump.. this will purge the air when it gets built up and also restart your siphon if you loose power or do a water change!!
It is a "U " tube overflow.. right?
you cant squeeze spa flex it's too hard..it's the hard stuff with the spiral hard plastic on the outside..
take a small length of air line and literally stick it in the bend or "U" tube of the over flow and suck out the air..
The best way to fix this in the future is to drill a tiny hole on the very top of the "U" tube just big enough for a piece of air line then glue one in there and get an "AQUA LIFTER" pump.. this will purge the air when it gets built up and also restart your siphon if you loose power or do a water change!!
Last edited:
roscoe
Well-known member
^^^^^ what that guy said LOL.
Yep, you need to prime your U tubes. Airline tubing, weaseled into the tube, until it's at the very top of the bend. Suck on it QUICLY, while pulling it out. Both ends of U-tube must be submerged while doing this.
