Help me please!! I am flooding!!

[Willie_6]

Your Welcome. Make sure you throw in a few ball valves as well!! I am so glad I did.

 

[dchao]

Willie:

I hope everything is drier now.

T5's are nothing special without the special reflectors, a must have for every T5 setup. The relectors, can easily double the PAR rating, it's like making your 430W to 800W without additional electricity.

ReefGeek.com carries them:

http://www.reefgeek.com/categories/lighting.html

A great T5 Reflector thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=536358

This is what T5's look like with reflectors:

 

[golfnut]

Check Valves!!!

Check Valves!!!

If you do a cost / benefit analysis, the check valves are a no-brainer. I'm surprised more people don't advocate them for us rookies. They make mistakes a whole lot less messy!!!

 

[dchao]

The pros aren't recommending the check valves because it is best to design the system assuming your check valve is going to FAIL. Have enough capacity in the sump to absorb all the back syphon from the retune line. In the event that the valve does fail, your floor won't be wet.

Since most people are not relying the check valve to prevent a flood, then why restrict the flow and put one in the return line in the first place.

 

[petermai]

i had this problem when i was setting up also. your best bet is to have the return above water surface, this way it won't siphon the display's water down to the sump. hope that helps.

 

[dchao]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6646754#post6646754 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by petermai
your best bet is to have the return above water surface,

hmmmm...... salt creep

 

[Willie_6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6646717#post6646717 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dchao
The pros aren't recommending the check valves because it is best to design the system assuming your check valve is going to FAIL. Have enough capacity in the sump to absorb all the back syphon from the retune line. In the event that the valve does fail, your floor won't be wet.

Since most people are not relying the check valve to prevent a flood, then why restrict the flow and put one in the return line in the first place.

There is another reason to have them. My pump puts out more GPH then my overflow can handle. I use the valve to keep everything equal. Not to mention it's a $5.00 insurance policy. It's there if you need it.

 

[BenH98]

petermai - how can you have your return pump above the water surface? Is your whole sump above your display tank? If it is, I'd like to see a picture...

 

[Ploppers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6637758#post6637758 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Willie_6
Here is a good pic:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/Willie_6/FishTank10.jpg

You can seet the return lines, their the whit PVC at the top of the tank. You can also kind of see my sump.

Here's another of just the sump set up:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/Willie_6/FishTank8.jpg

Another shot of the returns and HOB overflow (pictured left)):

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/Willie_6/FishTank7.jpg

In your second pic it looks like you're restricting the intake to your return pump. From what I've read it's better to restrict the output to prevent damaging the pump. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Ploppers]

I have my returns just barely under the surface of the water enough that it doesn't splash. That way it only syphons a few gallons before sucking air.

 

[Mykayel]

^^^ that's the whole point. Or if you want to put them deeper in your tank, all you have to do is drill a small hole just under the water surface, as was already mentioned, so that it can only syphon a few gallons before it starts sucking air and breaks the syphon.

While a check valve sounds like a good idea on the return, I wouldn't trust it. And if you want to use it to restrict your flow, you could use a ball valve which is a lot cheaper.

 

[dchao]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6648898#post6648898 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ploppers
In your second pic it looks like you're restricting the intake to your return pump. From what I've read it's better to restrict the output to prevent damaging the pump. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Ploppers has a good point!

 

[Willie_6]

So that is accurate? If so, it's no problem for me..whew...I have another valve directly behind the tank I can use instead. I put a couple on there, just in case. Looks like this might be the just in case.