Help me figure out a simple problem

jherrin215 · 11/14/2009, 08:28 PM

I'm in the process of automating my water changes about 1.5% per day. The concept is simple. There will be an ato installed which will be controlled by a float switch. When I do the water change it will pump water from the in side of the sump out to waste for a set amount of time then refill in the return side of the sump until the water is back up to the level of the float switch. The ATO will be disabled while the water change is happening. My problem is the pump refilling the tank with premixed SW will be lower than the sump running into the sump higher than the water level. When it shuts off just what's in the hose will drain down. But the pump in the sump will be higher than the drain level so when the pump turns off there will still be a siphon drawing water out of the sump and down the drain. How can I cause a siphon break so that the tank doesn't keep draining?? I will be using a MJ1200 with a hose out to the drain. Sorry its so long, sure it will be a simple fix for someone.
PS I don't want to use anything mechanical. I was this so be fail safe.

bertoni · 11/14/2009, 08:31 PM

A hole in the hose just above the water line should be okay. I might use multiple holes in case one gets plugged.

jherrin215 · 11/14/2009, 08:49 PM

I thought about that but the water will spray out of that hole when the pump kicks on and since it is coming out of the inlet side of my sump that means it's right at the top of the sump, which means water would spray out in the floor!! Not good

bertoni · 11/14/2009, 10:24 PM

I had a similar siphon break on a sump line, and it didn't spray very much at all, but I suppose your mileage might vary.

jherrin215 · 11/16/2009, 09:27 PM

I think I am going to install a valve and just have it open up whenever the pump turns on

iamwrasseman · 11/16/2009, 09:42 PM

ball valves, you mean check valve ? they dont always work 100% so beware . the hole that you drill into the hose above the water line can be fitted and plumbed so it wont go in the floor easily

offroadodge · 11/16/2009, 09:46 PM

+1 for the whole, thats what i had to do

jherrin215 · 11/16/2009, 09:54 PM

It is just going to be a hose running over the top of my sump fed by a maxi jet1200 how can i put a hole in the line and it not spray water out of the hole?? The water level in the sump wont change because the tank will still be overflowing into the sump.

dots · 11/17/2009, 12:26 AM

Had you read this article? One of my favorites

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php

11/14/2009, 08:28 PM	#1
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	Help me figure out a simple problem I'm in the process of automating my water changes about 1.5% per day. The concept is simple. There will be an ato installed which will be controlled by a float switch. When I do the water change it will pump water from the in side of the sump out to waste for a set amount of time then refill in the return side of the sump until the water is back up to the level of the float switch. The ATO will be disabled while the water change is happening. My problem is the pump refilling the tank with premixed SW will be lower than the sump running into the sump higher than the water level. When it shuts off just what's in the hose will drain down. But the pump in the sump will be higher than the drain level so when the pump turns off there will still be a siphon drawing water out of the sump and down the drain. How can I cause a siphon break so that the tank doesn't keep draining?? I will be using a MJ1200 with a hose out to the drain. Sorry its so long, sure it will be a simple fix for someone. PS I don't want to use anything mechanical. I was this so be fail safe.

11/14/2009, 08:31 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	A hole in the hose just above the water line should be okay. I might use multiple holes in case one gets plugged. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/14/2009, 10:24 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I had a similar siphon break on a sump line, and it didn't spray very much at all, but I suppose your mileage might vary. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/17/2009, 12:26 AM	#9
dots Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 6,258	Had you read this article? One of my favorites http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php __________________ ~Doug

11/14/2009, 08:49 PM	#3
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	I thought about that but the water will spray out of that hole when the pump kicks on and since it is coming out of the inlet side of my sump that means it's right at the top of the sump, which means water would spray out in the floor!! Not good

11/16/2009, 09:27 PM	#5
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	I think I am going to install a valve and just have it open up whenever the pump turns on

11/16/2009, 09:42 PM	#6
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	ball valves, you mean check valve ? they dont always work 100% so beware . the hole that you drill into the hose above the water line can be fitted and plumbed so it wont go in the floor easily

11/16/2009, 09:46 PM	#7
offroadodge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 168	+1 for the whole, thats what i had to do

11/16/2009, 09:54 PM	#8
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	It is just going to be a hose running over the top of my sump fed by a maxi jet1200 how can i put a hole in the line and it not spray water out of the hole?? The water level in the sump wont change because the tank will still be overflowing into the sump.