Auto Top Off Siphoning

Steelerfan101 · 10/31/2012, 10:52 PM

I just set up my auto top off and it just creates a siphon. How do I easily stop this?

skeeter_ca · 10/31/2012, 11:00 PM

What type of system setup do you have?

If using a pump then a small hole in the hose above the water line before it comes out of reservior tank will break the siphon when the pump shuts off.

skeeter

atkinsg · 10/31/2012, 11:12 PM

I used skeeter's method until I changed my plumbing to use a bulkhead exiting the reservoir tank near the bottom. What I have now is 1/2 in PVC exiting the reservoir to the pump, then 1/2 in PVC up from the pump to a height above the top of the reservoir. Here I switch to 1.5 in PVC to get the water over to and back down to the sump. The larger pipe prevents a siphon from occurring.

Steelerfan101 · 10/31/2012, 11:26 PM

Sweet thanks guys. I did it with the hole and it worked. Thank you!

sponger0 · 11/01/2012, 07:22 AM

Make sure the hose that goes to your tank for top off is above the water line. That would be what Im guessing is why your getting a syphon.

swcc · 11/01/2012, 07:39 AM

hose above waterline.

Jopalmighty · 11/01/2012, 02:04 PM

I was running into the same problem. using toms aqualifter. I tried hanging the aqualifter above the sump and reservoir and this solved my problem. FYI the hose going into the sump was above the water level but after the pump would turn off it would still drip constantly until my backup mechanical float would kink the hose.

danil · 11/01/2012, 05:30 PM

You can ply around with levels, pipes or you can get 12V electric valve. Put it in parallel with your ATO pump and you can place your ATO tank anywhere you want.
I got mine from these guys http://www.stcvalve.com/Solenoid_Valve.htm

1/8" Direct Acting 2 Way Plastic Solenoid
Valve with Stainless Steel Actuator
(12VDC, DIN)

10/31/2012, 10:52 PM	#1
Steelerfan101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 149	Auto Top Off Siphoning I just set up my auto top off and it just creates a siphon. How do I easily stop this?

10/31/2012, 11:00 PM	#2
skeeter_ca Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,007	What type of system setup do you have? If using a pump then a small hole in the hose above the water line before it comes out of reservior tank will break the siphon when the pump shuts off. skeeter __________________ skeeter - It is easier to ask for forgiveness than premission. My motto to my wife. Current Tank Info: 75rr,6"dsb,refugium,auto top-off & semi-auto water changer, OM squirt. 4 MJs 1200, Started on 03/03/06

10/31/2012, 11:12 PM	#3
atkinsg Chemist/Software Dev Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 312	I used skeeter's method until I changed my plumbing to use a bulkhead exiting the reservoir tank near the bottom. What I have now is 1/2 in PVC exiting the reservoir to the pump, then 1/2 in PVC up from the pump to a height above the top of the reservoir. Here I switch to 1.5 in PVC to get the water over to and back down to the sump. The larger pipe prevents a siphon from occurring. __________________ GTA Current Tank Info: 125 gal Reef, 45 gal sump, 20 gal fuge, SRO XP 2000, Apex, 1X250 MH + 2 Maxspect Razors, Ca Reactor

11/01/2012, 05:30 PM	#8
danil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 935	You can ply around with levels, pipes or you can get 12V electric valve. Put it in parallel with your ATO pump and you can place your ATO tank anywhere you want. I got mine from these guys http://www.stcvalve.com/Solenoid_Valve.htm 1/8" Direct Acting 2 Way Plastic Solenoid Valve with Stainless Steel Actuator (12VDC, DIN) Last edited by danil; 11/01/2012 at 05:38 PM.

10/31/2012, 11:26 PM	#4
Steelerfan101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 149	Sweet thanks guys. I did it with the hole and it worked. Thank you!

11/01/2012, 07:22 AM	#5
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Make sure the hose that goes to your tank for top off is above the water line. That would be what Im guessing is why your getting a syphon.

11/01/2012, 07:39 AM	#6
swcc Moved On Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Tampa Fl Posts: 1,659	hose above waterline.

11/01/2012, 02:04 PM	#7
Jopalmighty Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 95	I was running into the same problem. using toms aqualifter. I tried hanging the aqualifter above the sump and reservoir and this solved my problem. FYI the hose going into the sump was above the water level but after the pump would turn off it would still drip constantly until my backup mechanical float would kink the hose.