Need help with a sump

[Joshjohnson]

Ok here goes, i have a 47 gal tall tank that has not been drilled and plan on building my own sump. I plan on using a HOB overflow to move water to the sump. My questions are, when doing water changes don't you have to stop the return pump to remove water and replace it, if so that will break the siphon on the overflow, won't that creare a back flow into the sump from the return line? Also how do you restart the overflow siphon?

The more i think and plan on this the more confused i get and now i don't know if this is a good idea or not. I heard that starting the overflow siphon is a pain in the rear.

Can somebody explain this a little or better yet anybody have a system like this that can help.

Thanks ahead for any input.

Josh

 

[boydx6]

overflow

overflow

The only time you should lose the siphon is when you do maintenance on the U-tube. All you have to do to re-start it is put an air-line to the curved part of the u-tube and suck out the air and it will allow the water to rise up and spill over to the back area of the overflow and start the siphon process. Then you can remove the air-line tubing. The tubing I use is somewhat rigid but still bendable.

You will want to drill a hole in the return line just under the water level to break the siphon in the event of a power loss. Mine is about 1/4 to 1/2 in below the surface. Just make sure that the amount of water will fit in your sump.

 

[Joshjohnson]

ok i don't understand, when i do a water change i remove about 6 gal at a time that is about 5 inchs drop in my water level which would be below the overflow box stopping the water from going in which would break the siphon right?

 

[mrferrit]

ypu that would break the siphon then you would refill the tank with the new water and restart the siphon which is real easy like boydx said.
on my sump i have it so if the power goes out i have enough room in the sump to handle the overflow from the tank untill it gets below the box/overflow so i dont need the emergency holes drilled but its a good idea if you lack room to handle water in an emergency

 

[boydx6]

Yes, it would stop the siphon. I turn off the pump that way there is still water in the U-tube so I don't have to restart the siphon every time. All I have to do is replace the water and turn the pump back on. It is pretty simple that way.

 

[ChinaKat67]

You're thinking too much which is good but you'll drive yourself crazy! Once your pump is turned off, your return will create a siphon from your tank into your sump. The siphon is broken when the water falls below the end of the return and takes in air. Many do not have a large enough sump to handle this amount of water therefore it is recommended to drill a small hole higher up in your return pipe to break the siphon earlier- be sure the hole is slightly below the water level in your tank so that possible air bubbles or spraying don't occur. Check this hole occasionally and keep it free of algae.

You should not loose suction in your U Tube - your overflow box is designed to hold enough water to keep it primed and ready. I use two U tubes in my overflow to increase water flow. Hope this helps.

 

[NICERICAN4YOU25]

like they all said above, if wont break the siphon even if u drop the water level too far. u be ok. the siphon is within the box.
like we all said u be ok.

 

[Joshjohnson]

ok sounds good, i think this weekend i may start the sump, i found some 1/4 acylic at lowes that seems to be a good price anybody have any thoughts on this

 

[mflamb]

I would recommend glass baffles for a glass tank

 

[Joshjohnson]

i wish i could use a glass tank but my stand does not have enough room for a standard size glass tank. lots of height but lacks in widht and depth. So i have to custom build a sump to fit and plus have enough water volume.

 

[A.T.DAWG]

This site was recomended from someone on here and has helped me out a lot http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

HTH
Andrew