Pump runs dry on start up

[sabbath]

I have a drilled tank and a tee on the line to the sump. One for the Skimmer & one for the fuge. With valves at both outlets.
The return pump is a submersed Mag 7.

If the power goes out for 5 minutes or so the pump will run dry for a couple minutes, On restart. Is this unavoidable or is there a way to get the tank to stabilize faster.

 

[psteeleb]

it's avoidable but difficult to help without seeing the setup

my first thought is it's draining more water then normal when power off. this would require the tank to re-fill before starting the overflows back up - do you have anti-syphon holes in your return lines?

second thought is around your drain system. it may be a bit complex thus slowing things down until it gets reprimed. you may want to consider making the drain line go only to the sump, no valve, and as straight as posible. the diversion of water to the skimmer may also be adding to this start up repriming issue. but again without seeing the system it's hard to say.

 

[sabbath]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12568829#post12568829 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by psteeleb
it's avoidable but difficult to help without seeing the setup

my first thought is it's draining more water then normal when power off. this would require the tank to re-fill before starting the overflows back up - do you have anti-syphon holes in your return lines?

second thought is around your drain system. it may be a bit complex thus slowing things down until it gets reprimed. you may want to consider making the drain line go only to the sump, no valve, and as straight as posible. the diversion of water to the skimmer may also be adding to this start up repriming issue. but again without seeing the system it's hard to say.

Cool, I raised my return U tub about 1/2". So the siphon hole was just below the surface. Ran a power off test and the water got to just above the return pump inlet, as it lowest point on start up.
Thank You.