My overflow is overflowing

[reefsurfer1]

I have a 85 gal tank and a 30 gal sump. The problem is my overflow makes gurgling noises. When I investigated the noise the box would fill up a little more than usual, gurgle, then drain all at once and splash over the side of my sump. I have had the overflow and sump for about a month and a half now and it has become worse in the last two weeks. Is there any ideas on what I am doing wrong? I dont want it to gurgle and splash over the side of my sump. I used 1" pvc pipe for the drain pipe from the over flow to the sump. Its a cpr 1000 with an aqualifter pump. my return line is a mag driver 9.5 with 3/4" pvc piping. The box usually only fills up to just over the prefilter sponge. When it is about to make the gurgling noise it fills up maybe 2 more inches then drains almost empty. I also have a relief valve from the return line that leads into my refugium and it is open 1/4 of the way. How high should the overflow box be filled for regular working condition? And I clean my sponge filters every couple of days and that helps a little. I also have a question about bristle worms. I think I have an infestation of them right now. Like I said I have a 85 gal tank and almost 100lbs of live rock. I think I have at least 75 or so bristle worms. Is that normal? And I just added chaeto to my refugium. When it came it had an aiptasia anenome in it and now that is in my refugium. Should I get it out? Will it spread to my show tank? Thanks for any help.

Tom

[TheMarineGuy]

I wish i could help you on the sump/overflow problem,but never had a problem with mine...But the aiptasia i can,ive always just took the rock out the water patted the aiptasia down with a paper towel an made direct contact too it with a lighter for a few seconds,an that seems too work....i have recently got more liverock and had some aiptasia on them that i didnt see when giving the rock a rinse,ive used joe's juice before and worked too some degree but ended up not working at all,they came back within' a week or so,but since i got new lr that i cant just take out i recently found Red Sea's Aiptasia X,thought it was going too be like joe's juice,asked by buddy at the lfs about it and he said burning them is the best but i figured id get aiptasia-x anyway too give it a shot....an boom!have not seen any aiptasia since,only 11.99 a bottle,anyways burn them off or use Red Sea's Aiptasia-X,joes juice is a waste of money

[kevinpo]

Hello,
The overflow problem you are experiencing is quite common and easily fixed. I run the same setup on a 90 gal. since 1996. Purchase a 1" gate valve (Ace Hardware carries them here) and place it on the drain. Slowly close it until the box stays full. Also remove the sponge that covers the intake screen in the overflow box. You can also remove the intake screen (mine is removed) but that is optional. The model overflow you have will handle the full flow of a Mag 9.5.
Regarding the bristle worms, as a rule they are harmless scavengers of dead animals and uneaten food. Large numbers are a sign of plenty of available food.

Regards,
Kevin

[reefsurfer1]

Thanks for your input, especially on the overflow.
Tom

[reefsurfer1]

Thinking about it I have a few more questions. Should I take off the sponge filter on the mag driver and the overflow box? I am guessing that the over flow box should stay full then correct. And should I get rid of the aiptasia anemone even from the refugium?

Thanks again,
Tom

[reefsurfer1]

Also a guy at the lfs said that bristle worms will eat coral. Is that true? That is my main reason for getting rid of them.

[kevinpo]

Hello,
The Aiptasia anemone should be removed unless you want them in your display tank.
All sponge type filters should be removed if you plan on keeping your nitrates near to zero as you can. Most worms are beneficial and do not eat corals.

HTH,
Kevin

[reefsurfer1]

Thanks for the info!

[reefsurfer1]

Im sorry but I have a cpr 100 not 1000 overflow box. Does that make a difference with my overflow problem?

Tom

[kevinpo]

Hello,
I didn't even notice the typo, I just assumed it was the 100 since they don't make a 1000

Cheers,
Kevin

[reefsurfer1]

Ok cool Im going to get the gate valve today!

[reefsurfer1]

I added a ball valve to my overflow, removed the sponge filters and the intake screen. My overflow hasnt made any noise since then so my fingers are crossed. I also removed the anenome from my refugium. Thanks for your help guys.

Tom