Plumbing Question

[Bbentler]

I just got a new aquarium and found out the hard way that there was a leak in the overflow. With the pumps on in the sump it work perfectly however if the power were to go out I would have 300 gallons of water on my finished basement floor! So I was wondering if there was a type of valve that I could instal that would turn the water off when the water got too high in my sump? Would a float valve work and how would one install that? Do they have a valve that shuts off when the electicity goes out similar to how emergency lights come on?

 

[mflamb]

Pics of what's leaking, please.

 

[Bbentler]

The overflow is leaking so when the pumps stop working in the sump from a power outage the aquarium drains into the sump leaking 300 gallons everywhere. I need something to stop drain valves into my sump when the water gets too high in the sump. Any ideas?

 

[nyvp]

you need a check valve so the water can only go in one direction.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idProduct=FT9177

 

[waynesworld]

If you put a pipe in the overflow higher then the lowest point you want the tank to go you can stop the draining problem and try to seal the leak. you may be able to temp seal with the 2 part epoxy that we use to put corals on rocks or rock together.

If I understand where the leak is a check valve will not work as the water has to go out when the pump is on. the other option is a electronic gate valve with a sensor on tank water level.

I would try the other options first

Hay nyvp how you like your ACIII? I just ordered on can not wait to get it to see how they work.

 

[jmccown]

Not exactly sure what you are saying. But you can drill a hole in your return pipe that would prevent water coming back through the pump. This would bring air into the pipe and let all the water drain back into the sump rather than keep a siphon.

 

[rayman45]

drill a small hole in your return line right above the water line...

 

[Bbentler]

It's not about the return line, but instead about the drain into my sump. Since the overflow isn't completely sealed off from the rest of the tank it leaks so when the power goes out, the tank leaks into the overflow which then leaks into my sump. I need a valve down in my sump so when the pumps stop working the sump won't overflow. The return lines don't syphon water at all. The drains however drain my entire aquarium into my sump which poses a problem.

 

[rayman45]

ooo i got you... i dont know.....a check valve wouldent help....
only bet is to seal it 100%
do they make alves that shut when/if the pump does??

 

[nyvp]

can you use aqua mend epoxy to seal it?

 

[Theron]

I had the same problem with my 90 gallon. The overflow box leaked a little. In my case I was able to put in a tall durso standpipe (www.dursostandpipes.com) in the overflow. It still drained more water out of the tank than I liked but did not overflow my sump.

Theron

 

[waynesworld]

Any reef safe epoxy may seal it exp if you can put it on the main side to the tank to allow the pressure to hold and help seal it.

That is what I was talking about on the stand pipe. Thanks for being able to come up with a pic.

 

[Bbentler]

Sorry about the picture. I couldn't find a good way to take a picture of the issue.