how to stop back flow to sump????

[saltyESQ]

when I shut the power off to my pump in my sump, it creates a suction and water will flow down to the sump and will eventually overflow the sump.

I realize one way to resolve the problem is to make the pvc return in the tank higher so less water can flow back into the sump. but I like the location of the return in the tank and it would be hard to determine at which point it is safe.'


anyone have any ideas?
I hope this does not sound like a bunch of rambling and actually makes sense

 

[818]

Get a Check Valve.

 

[SteveOhh]

Drill a hole in the return lines in the tank just below the water level................this sill stop the back suction that is causing your sump to overflow...........

Steve

 

[SteveOhh]

Or get a check valve....... :lol:

 

[818]

If he does that he'll loose alot of head pressure coming out of the returns, plus all the water in the plumbing will still go down to the sump, may not be enough to overfill but better be safe then sorry.

Seriously though just get a check valve you'll thank me later.

Sam

 

[Konadog]

Do both!
A check valve will leak some as algae (crap) builds up on the flapper, or worse yet, a snail or something get caught in it when you need it to hold!

PS, you won't loose much pressure with a tiny hole drilled in the side of the return at water level.

 

[818]

I guess you can go with both just dont get a small 3/4 check valve the opening is tiny as hell, and I was told my some more experienced reefers that all it take is a snail.

Thats was just the only way I can convince my Pops to let me put that 110 in my room.

 

[ScotchMaster]

Check Valves Save Lifes

 

[golfish]

or just drill a 1/4" hole for siphone break and clean it out once a year. Don't trust a check valve, it WILL FAIL and flood your tank room.

 

[818]

Wait a sec are talkin about drain line or return line?

I dont understand how a Check Valve will do that to a Return line?

 

[golfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7400521#post7400521 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by My F1sh R D34D!

I dont understand how a Check Valve will do that to a Return line?

do what?

 

[Brewen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7399958#post7399958 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
Do both!
A check valve will leak some as algae (crap) builds up on the flapper, or worse yet, a snail or something get caught in it when you need it to hold!

PS, you won't loose much pressure with a tiny hole drilled in the side of the return at water level.

I second this

 

[bromion]

Just want to understand completely....

The suggestion is to drill a small hole in the pipe (or whatever) that is in the display tank which carries water TO the sump, drilling just at or below the water level in the display tank? I'm trying to figure out how this stops the suction of water from the tank along the sump->display return line.

 

[Wilafur]

the simple answer is to create a tank that does not follow the laws of physics.

 

[golfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7400606#post7400606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bromion
Just want to understand completely....

The suggestion is to drill a small hole in the pipe (or whatever) that is in the display tank which carries water TO the sump, drilling just at or below the water level in the display tank? I'm trying to figure out how this stops the suction of water from the tank along the sump->display return line.

The overflow stops when the water stops overflowing. That's one

If there's no siphone break the back flow (siphon) wont stop until is starts sucking air. If the end of the return line reaches down far into the tank there could be a LOT of water siphoning back (been there flooded that) The idea is to drill the hole just below or right at the water level in the tank so when the power is cut the air is sucked and the siphon breaks.

You could drill the hole as big as you want, there's no pressure loss that I can see, the water just exits a different hole.

 

[bromion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7400694#post7400694 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by golfish
The idea is to drill the hole just below or right at the water level in the tank so when the power is cut the air is sucked and the siphon breaks.

So this will require the re-priming of the siphon, correct? Also, this stops the siphon from pulling water... what about the return line, which will start pulling water when the pump quits out. The overflow prefilter box will prevent too much water from returning via the siphon line.

 

[golfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7400750#post7400750 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bromion
So this will require the re-priming of the siphon, correct? Also, this stops the siphon from pulling water... what about the return line, which will start pulling water when the pump quits out. The overflow prefilter box will prevent too much water from returning via the siphon line.

No, some times this is one of those things that you have to see to get it.


When the power is cut the water will siphon back down the return line from the sump unless there's a siphon break, or check valve. The water going from the tank to the sump is contolled by the overflow, if that's the problem then you need to do some adjusting to the intakes or you have a leak.

 

[bromion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7400805#post7400805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by golfish
When the power is cut the water will siphon back down the return line from the sump unless there's a siphon break, or check valve. The water going from the tank to the sump is contolled by the overflow, if that's the problem then you need to do some adjusting to the intakes or you have a leak.

Regardeless of the overflow, water flows back through the return line that is usually pushed from the sump to the display. I don't see how breaking the display->sump siphon will stop that flow. Perhaps these are separate issues?

 

[diddye]

i have a sump that will take all the water the overflow will give. I've already been saved a couple times.

 

[tptp279]

here, let me try to help. on the return side, where water comes up from the pump-->display. you have a u-tube type of return that hangs on top which sprays water into the tank. That is where you drill the hole, on that u tube return. drill it on the side where it is spraying back into the tank.

if water still overflows your sump, than your sump is either too small or your overflow box/wall/drain is too low.

hope that helps