i have a problem with my first sump...

[everl0ng]

on my 20g i have an external 1/2'' overflow tube draining into my 10g sump. i then have a rio 1700 return pump with the 1/2'' return tube draining back into the tank. the problem is that the return is slowly outdoing the overflow. does anybody have a solution? i am baffled as this is my first sump setup. can i put a zip-tie loosely around the return tube to help cut off a little bit of the flow so that my tank won't overspill when i am at work one day? lol is there anything that i can do?:eek2:

 

[everl0ng]

nevermind. my stupidity. i was just running a straight siphon for my drain, so i decided on buying an overflow, which will make all the difference in the world.

 

[Driftwood]

It sure will. Make sure you get one that is rated a higher GPH then your return pump.

 

[BenjieC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8002790#post8002790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Driftwood
It sure will. Make sure you get one that is rated a higher GPH then your return pump.

or put a ball/gate valve on so you can control the return flow.

 

[30mini]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8002865#post8002865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BenjieC
or put a ball/gate valve on so you can control the return flow.

I would put a T fitting on the return, and then put a ball valve on the section that is going straight back into the sump so that you can have your return pump at full capacity at all times allowing for a longer pump life! This way you can control the return rate by adjusting the ball valve that goes to the sump b/c water always takes the path of least resistance, so opening this valve will cause less flow to go up to the tank.

 

[dpstrand]

I did this to feed my fuge, and I found that the path of least resistance is the one tee'd off going back to the sump, so if you are going to tee it and put a ball valve on it, make sure you put the ball valve on the line that goes right back into the sump. A gate valve would work much better for fine tune control.

 

[30mini]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8002919#post8002919 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 30mini
put a ball valve on the section that is going straight back into the sump

That's what I said!