2 Siphon Return Plumbing

[Foooz]

What is best method to plumb a 2 siphon return to the sump?
1) two separate lines all the way to sump with valve on each line to adjust siphon in each overflow
2) "T" two lines together to have one line entering sump. Valve on each line prior to lines coming together.
3) "T" two lines together to have one line entering sump. One valve on combined line prior to entering sump
4) "T" two lines together to have one line entering sump. Valve on each line prior to lines coming together and valve on combined line (3 valves total).
5) Other??

 

[thegrun]

I think it is safer with two separate lines. I would also only have a gate valve on the primary drain, no valve at all on your secondary/emergency drain (anything that can go wrong will).

 

[Spar]

agreed, 2 separate lines is the way to go. you'd be looking at something similar to a beananimal drain setup but without the 3rd fail safe line.

I put a valve on all my lines, but only partially close one of them (full siphon line)... the other are only there for just-in-case maintenance needs.

 

[Foooz]

Ok, I may not have provided enough information. Tank has 2 overflows each with 1" and 3/4" hole. My plan was to use both of the 3/4" holes as siphons. The two 1" holes would be used as emergency drains. Am I doing this all wrong?

 

[Foooz]

Today is moving day, any help on plumbing the sump would be appreciated. Basically it sounds like there is an option 6 that would be:
6) (1) 3/4" siphon drain to the sump with valve, (1) 3/4" durso or similar drain with valve, (2) 1" emergency drains.
This seems like the siphon would take most of the flow to one overflow, also could result in noise issues in overflow with durso.
Help Please and TIA
scott

 

[Spar]

as long as your open channel stays fully open, then I would personally skip the fail-safe option. when you have the luxury of having a third drain valve in each overflow, the fail-safe is a no-brainer, but realistically for you to have 3 or 4 drains all stuffed up at the same time, especially when two are 1" each, you'd have to be really unlucky. just protect the overflows so that large snails/objects can't get into it.

that said, my recommendation is that for each overflow to be designed the same. each with 1 full siphon (i.e. street-L or 2x90's making the half loop siphon) and 1 open channel (i.e. same thing as the full siphon but with a hole drilled in the top).

depending on how much water you are pushing via your returns, you would likely be better using the 3/4" for the full siphons and the 1" for the open channel. However, this would be interchangeable at anytime in the future if you chose to switch that up. (since you wouldn't be gluing anything together on the in-overflow-box portion of the PVC setup).

make sure to put a gate valve on the full siphon side instead of ball valve as it is MUCH easier to fine-tune the water level. although this would counter my comment above about these being interchangeable later if you went with only 1 gate valve on each overflow.... so perhaps do a gate valve on all 4 lines to prevent later headache.

 

[JMorris271]

I have the same tank you do and have run both 3/4 lines as siphons with gate valves to the sump. My 1 inch lines are emergency drains and I have used both of them.






'

 

[Foooz]

Thanks - Option 1 it is with 2 - 1" lines being emergency drains.

 

[Toddrtrex]

My 210 was set up pretty much like option 1. Though all the holes were 1". In the left overflow I had a full siphon (( with gate valve )) and an E-drain. In the right overflow I had a full siphon (( with gate valve )) and an E-drain. They were completely separate the whole time.


From a build thread of mine (( before I took down the tank )) to give you an idea.

Right side of the inflow plumbing, through the glass,

Underside,

Emergency drain, right side; (( this part of the APEX will be mounted higher up against the stand, just placed it there to check the fit ))

Gate valves for overflow and return (( Also show is an APEX probe holder that I will use to hold the reactor lines, and one for dosing lines. Sump has a built in probe holder ))

Left side from the top,

Underside,

Con't

 

[kmbyrnes]

I just finished plumbing my 350 that has 3/4" and 1" drains in each overflow.
I used one 3/4" as a return line, and the other as a gate valved, full siphon drain.
The other 3/4" line is split, most of it feeds my skimmer and the split handles the rest.
The other 1" line is an emergency drain.