loc-line question

RibsAndWhaikey · 06/19/2009, 05:55 PM

I am finally off work for the week and trying to get a new 30g setup and running this weekend, my first saltwater tank btw. I set up all of the plumbing last week, filled and drained the aquarium, and did a few tweaks to the plumbing this week. I decided to buy a 12" section of 1/2 line-loc which I am going to run over top of the rim of the aquarium so i don't have to actually have my 1/2" return pvc going over the rim. I didn't consider that there won't a siphon break in the return and the sump will drain to wherever the outlet tube of the return is. Can I just drill a hole in the lineloc somewhere around the height of my overflow? When I had it setup originally there was a spraybar at the top which acted as the siphon bread but it didn't feel like it was moving that much water so I took it away. I just don't want to drill a hole in the lineloc until I know if there is a better solution. Any other advise on any other plumbing pitfalls would be great before I add my water. Thanks in advance.

Jeff · 06/19/2009, 05:58 PM

Yes, it will work, I have done it. Drill the hole on the underside so that the water flows out of it into the tank.

RibsAndWhaikey · 06/19/2009, 06:02 PM

Thanks. makes sense that it would just wasn't sure that a small hole would break the siphon. Would 1/8" be fine? Seems like any size hole would do- but I'm not exactly a physics person

Jeff · 06/19/2009, 06:04 PM

Smaller the better. You may need to file the outside of the locline after drilling to prevent it from stopping the next piece from catching.

Herb A Vore · 06/19/2009, 09:59 PM

Why use that much locline rather than just use PVC and locline in the tank? I'm pretty sure they take up about the same amount of room over the rim of the tank. I don't really see the advantage other than spending more money. Oh wait. That's not an advantage.

Herb A Vore · 06/19/2009, 10:00 PM

Off Topic but
The only good thing to come out of Chicago was Chicago!

cardiffgiant · 06/19/2009, 10:27 PM

I use loc line in my return plumbing, over the rim of the tank. I only bring the loc line about an inch below the surface of the water, and find that I have very little back siphon. Well, less than 4 gallons, according to this.

http://www.firsttankguide.net/calculator.php

06/19/2009, 05:55 PM	#1
RibsAndWhaikey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6	loc-line question I am finally off work for the week and trying to get a new 30g setup and running this weekend, my first saltwater tank btw. I set up all of the plumbing last week, filled and drained the aquarium, and did a few tweaks to the plumbing this week. I decided to buy a 12" section of 1/2 line-loc which I am going to run over top of the rim of the aquarium so i don't have to actually have my 1/2" return pvc going over the rim. I didn't consider that there won't a siphon break in the return and the sump will drain to wherever the outlet tube of the return is. Can I just drill a hole in the lineloc somewhere around the height of my overflow? When I had it setup originally there was a spraybar at the top which acted as the siphon bread but it didn't feel like it was moving that much water so I took it away. I just don't want to drill a hole in the lineloc until I know if there is a better solution. Any other advise on any other plumbing pitfalls would be great before I add my water. Thanks in advance.

06/19/2009, 05:58 PM	#2
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	Yes, it will work, I have done it. Drill the hole on the underside so that the water flows out of it into the tank. __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20

06/19/2009, 06:04 PM	#4
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	Smaller the better. You may need to file the outside of the locline after drilling to prevent it from stopping the next piece from catching. __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20

06/19/2009, 06:02 PM	#3
RibsAndWhaikey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6	Thanks. makes sense that it would just wasn't sure that a small hole would break the siphon. Would 1/8" be fine? Seems like any size hole would do- but I'm not exactly a physics person

06/19/2009, 09:59 PM	#5
Herb A Vore Moved On Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 58	Why use that much locline rather than just use PVC and locline in the tank? I'm pretty sure they take up about the same amount of room over the rim of the tank. I don't really see the advantage other than spending more money. Oh wait. That's not an advantage.

06/19/2009, 10:00 PM	#6
Herb A Vore Moved On Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 58	Off Topic but The only good thing to come out of Chicago was Chicago!

06/19/2009, 10:27 PM	#7
cardiffgiant Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa Posts: 3,455	I use loc line in my return plumbing, over the rim of the tank. I only bring the loc line about an inch below the surface of the water, and find that I have very little back siphon. Well, less than 4 gallons, according to this. http://www.firsttankguide.net/calculator.php