Plumbing Question

[stewie24]

Hi guys.
I'm plumbing my tank for the return. (still need to decide on a pump).
Anyways, here's a rough sketch of what my tank will look like.
My question is this:
On the return pump. I"ll have a series of 90 degree elbows and such coming up from the sump/fuge to get to my top tank. The spray bar return is lower than the overflow (i drilled the tank). What do i need to put in the plumbing on the return line to stop the water from flowing back into the sump/fuge if the power goes out? Or will it even create a back siphon?
Thanks
Stewie

 

[BMitch]

You mentioned the tank is drilled for the overflow, but is the tank drilled for the return pipe? Or are you going to take the plumbing up and over the edge of the tank and then put the spray bar under the water?

The reason I ask is because if you're going to take the plumbing over the top, you can drill a very small siphon break hole just under the water line and that will prvent a siphon when the power goes out.

 

[poppin_fresh]

Yeah... what he said. If you go over the top you can stop it with a siphon break. If you drilled the return holes lower than the overflow it will drain the tank to those levels every time. You could use gate valves to stop the back flow, but they are not fool proof and can fail.

 

[BMitch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6705405#post6705405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poppin_fresh
You could use gate valves to stop the back flow, but they are not fool proof and can fail.

I think you mean check valves. Unfortunately, they always seem to fail when you need them most. I'd drill a siphon break hole in the return and avoid a check valve.

 

[poppin_fresh]

Ooops...good catch, thanks. I would not trust check valves either. My point was that he said his return is lower than his overflow and his tank will drain down to the return and siphon break. I dont know how low we are talking, but if its an inch or so, it could be a lot of water.

 

[wife no likey]

i'd have my sump big enough to hold the siphoned water

 

[stewie24]

Thanks guys for all the replies.
I DID drill the tank for the return (will not be going up and over the tank.) It will be going up the return pipe to the bulkhead, which comes out inside the tank to a spray bar.
Sorry for the mixup.
Is my only option now a check valve? Or is there another way?
Thanks
Stewie

 

[Palancar]

Can you put a T in the spray bar with a short piece of pipe rising up to the waterline, cap it off, then put a siphon break hole in it?

 

[Palancar]

Thinking more that won't work either. Hmmm

 

[Palancar]

Ah, you'd have to make an upside down U shape in the line before hitting the spray bar. Sort of as if you were doing it over the top but inside the tank instead. Put the siphon break at the top of the U's arch but on the underside so the water shoots downward when the pump is running. That should do the trick.

 

[stewie24]

I see what you mean palancar, but being only a 10 gallon tank, and running 1/2 inch pvc pipe, that would mean the line would stick out quite far in the tank. There's gotta be an easier way to do this. I"m sure someone has plumbed their tank with a return pump from below the tank to a bulkhead on the back of the tank that won't drain the tank to the water level of the spraybar. (without using a checkvalve?)
thanks!
Stewie

 

[stewie24]

Also,
if you look at my pic, the right side where the hole is, and the 2 lines going straight up from it - thats where the overflow/strainer is. On the left side, that is where the return hole is/spraybar is. Its almost to exact size (my drawing) as to where the levels are in real life.
Thanks
Stewie

 

[Palancar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6708012#post6708012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stewie24
I see what you mean palancar, but being only a 10 gallon tank, and running 1/2 inch pvc pipe, that would mean the line would stick out quite far in the tank.

No, run it parallel to the back of the tank, not perpendicular. That way it won't stick out. I've never done this before. Just taking a stab at it for ya.

 

[vanceny]

You could just add an elbow pointing up at the bulk head and then attach your spray bar at a higher level so less water would be drained back.
. =========== spraybar
. ||
O==

 

[stewie24]

Yes, I think i'll go with that vanceny. - Assuming it doesn't look too hogged up when i do it. Believe me - 1/2 inch pvc pipe even tho it looks small, can take up a decent amount of room in a 10 gallon tank!
If anyone else has any suggestions, feel free to let me know..
Thanks for all the replies so far guys.
Stewie

 

[bkwudzjeep]

Maybe set the spray bar right/above at the water level with all the holes drilled at a downward angle.

The siphon break hole(s) could be drilled aiming more frontwards so it won't really shoot out of the water, but at the water line.