Siphon Shut-off?

[Moorish_Idol]

is there any device out there in the saltwater tank world that will shut off the siphon of an overflow automaticaly if your return pump fails or you lose power?

Also, is an 1 1/2 inches of water loss normal for evaporation on a 90 gallon tank in 2 days? I've checked all around my sump and stand and there isn't any water, but I've lost 1 1/2 inches. I know the warmer the water the more it evaporates and my tank is kept at 81 degrees.

[reefer1121]

you can either install a check valve that only allows water to flow one way (into your display and not back down into the sump through the return line) or you can drill a small hole in the return line just below the waterline that would serve as a siphon break. once water recedes below that line, air will be let in breaking the siphon. so you will only lose water up until that hole is exposed to the air. you can also drill the hole slightly above the waterline because it just shoots a weak little pee stream into the water then will only drain whats in the lines back to the sump once power to the pump is cut off

[bnumair]

i have had very good luck with check valves but is not fail safe. drilling a small hole in return line just below water line is probably the best fail safe option.

[Moorish_Idol]

Ok, I'll do that. Thanks

So, what about the second question, is it normal to loose that much water?

[JTL]

I have a 110 gallon with a sump and I lose about 1.5 gallons per day. Since I have an ato I don't have any idea what that is in inches.

[disc1]

Originally Posted by Moorish_Idol

Ok, I'll do that. Thanks

So, what about the second question, is it normal to loose that much water?

You say you have a sump? How big is the return section of the sump. That should be the only place where you see the water level change.

Instead of talking about how many inches the level changed, tell us how much water that is. In my tank the return section is really tiny. If I lose 1 gallon the level goes down by almost 3". My friend has a huge sump. If he loses 5 gallons his water level barely changes.