will my sump overflow? help

[gavij012379]

I was thinking of getting a 25 X 25 cube just like this one with a center overflow. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=970993

There will be no overflow box just 2 tube with strainer sticking out in the center of the tank for the drain (1 - 1.5" & 1 - 1/2") and 2 pvc loop for the return also in the center. I was going to hook up one drain to the inlet of canister filter to pull more water from the tank as I plan on having a high flow.

I was planning to make the call today to order the tank and now I realize that in case of power failure, my return pumps won't work and all the display area water is going to overflow my sump. I will have check valves in the return lines so that won't be a problem but how can I stop the water coming from the 1.5" drain line. Does anyone see a way around this or do I have to do close loop which is not an option for me or go with the flow and have an overflow box along one of the wall. I wanted this setup so that the tank is viewable from all sides. If I put a pump in the drain line too, will this stop water in case of power failure or will gravity push water through the pump to the sump anyway. Thanks for all your help.

 

[artful-dodger]

The example post is apparently doing a closed loop so power outages won't affect it. However, if you are going to gravity feed to a sump, this design won't work.

two possibilities come to mind. 1) build a square overflow box in the center of the tank to surround these bulkheads. 2) extend the riser tubes from the bulkhead to near the top of the tank. water will drain down just to the level of the opening as long as there are no leaks in the submerged connections. (The first is the better approach; the second is likely to be loud and give you a "bathtub drain" swirl. It also won't surface skim very well.)

 

[sjm817]

The one you linked to is a different setup. No sump, just a CL. If you wanted to run a sump, you would have to extend the overflow and return up near the surface of the display, or have a large enough sump that could hold a lot of drain back from the display.

 

[jer77]

Putting a pump on the return drain will not stop the water from draining during a power outage. Also you don't want to rely solely on check valves cause they can fail. I agree with the above statements that you will have to extend the standpipe, build an overflow, or have a big enough sump.

 

[gavij012379]

even if I have a big enough sump, won't it be a problem if all my display water goes in the sump and I am away for a few days. LOL. I think I will just have to go with the flow and put an oveflow in one end.

 

[gavij012379]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9564224#post9564224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jer77
Putting a pump on the return drain will not stop the water from draining during a power outage. Also you don't want to rely solely on check valves cause they can fail. I agree with the above statements that you will have to extend the standpipe, build an overflow, or have a big enough sump.

very true about check valves. I've had same problems before. I just used regular ones from the local hardware store and had a doubt that was the reason. What kind did you use. Anyone know if water will drain from a squid if power fails.

 

[jer77]

Yup water will drain through a SQWD too. I don't use check valves and never have because I've heard of them failing. But there are better kinds than the ones from the hardware store.

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9567440#post9567440 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gavij012379
even if I have a big enough sump, won't it be a problem if all my display water goes in the sump and I am away for a few days. LOL. I think I will just have to go with the flow and put an oveflow in one end.

You can put the overflow in the middle, just have it up high. You can surround it with rockwork.