Plumbing Question

[BC Sparky]

OK- I've finally got everything plumbed and water filled. I started my pump that sucks from the sump and returns to my tank.

Once I switched off my pump the over flows drained into the sump, like expected. What I wasn't expecting however- my tank drained (quickly) back through the return plumbing, overflowing my sump.

My overflows enter the tank about 6" below the water line. Does this mean that every time the power drops out my tank will drain down 6". Anyone got an easy fix???


I was so "pumped" to get salt mixed today... until now....

Please help.

[reidcrandall]

You need to drill a hole in your return line anout 1/4" below the surface of the water in the tank so that the siphon wll break when you turn the pumps off.

[crvz]

If the overflows really are 6" below the water line, then yep, it's gonna draing that far each time. Not sure I understand what you've got though, any chance you could share a picture?

[BC Sparky]

If I drill a hole in the return line it'll spray water through the 1/4" hole.

The return line will still drain down to the level of the water.


crvz- the overflow is set up and works- it's the return line that is draining. If you look at my gallery there is a photo with my kids in the tank. You'll see the overflow box on each side of the tank. The one inch return runs through the overflow box and out. (more like 3" down from the water level...

[Toddrtrex]

You will have to rise your return line up high enough that it breaks the siphon before your sump overflows.

[BC Sparky]

Ya- I'll plumb it up and over instead I guess.

[fishinbuc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13669703#post13669703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BC Sparky
If I drill a hole in the return line it'll spray water through the 1/4" hole.

The return line will still drain down to the level of the water.


crvz- the overflow is set up and works- it's the return line that is draining. If you look at my gallery there is a photo with my kids in the tank. You'll see the overflow box on each side of the tank. The one inch return runs through the overflow box and out. (more like 3" down from the water level...

Riedcrandall is correct.....I believe. When the water level lowers to the drilled hole, the air that gets sucked in will break the siphon, causing no more water to return to your sump.

[Playa-1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13670109#post13670109 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
You will have to rise your return line up high enough that it breaks the siphon before your sump overflows.

I agree, If you just raise the return lines close to the surface it will likely solve your problem. The water will siphon until air is pulled into the line. The closer the outlet is to the surface the less water that will siphon back to the sump before the siphon is broken. You can drill a hole to create a siphon break but in my opinion it's not going to be as reliable as simply adjusting the level of your return lines. The hole can become obstructed with salt creep or who know what else rendering it useless. Check valves are also useless in a salt water tank so you don't want to even go there.

[flyyyguy]

I alwyas just have my outputs high so they break the siphon without holes.

the holes rroute works, but make sure you drill a couple of them at least a snail width apart, or one snail in the worng place or a single tiny peice of residue can foul your program and result in a flood

[davidryder]

If the drain pipe is 6" underwater your water flow might be too high.

If all that's required is a hole in the top of the drain I would drill it large enough to connect an airline to it. That way you could dead-end the airline with a regulator, enabling you to adjust the airflow.

[dkh0331]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13669278#post13669278 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reidcrandall
You need to drill a hole in your return line anout 1/4" below the surface of the water in the tank so that the siphon wll break when you turn the pumps off.

Thats what I have done for years. If you go that route, take a toothpick to the hole(s) once a month.

The water coming out of those is minimal.