reef ready tank (flood concern)HELP!

maazreef · 01/03/2010, 05:52 PM

hey everyone. i just recently upgraded to a 72 bow thanks to kd_lc. it came with all the connections and im really new with this reef ready and sump under the tank situation. i am running a hang on back on my 46 but now i dont know if i should be concerned about getting floods while im away due to sump under my 72. does this ever occur? i just want to be prepared and maybe figure out if there is any way to prevent this from happening if it ever will. i have a basement underneath and wouldnt want my electronics to get ruined. Please anybody help. i dont know if im being over_paranoid about this, i would just like to hear what people think about my little situation if any.

thank you
i would trully appreciate to hear waht everyone has to say.

foodog · 01/03/2010, 06:08 PM

Make sure there is enough space in your sump to compensate for the excess water that would be siphoned into the sump during a power outage. Goodluck!

audiophile42 · 01/03/2010, 06:09 PM

The main thing to prevent a sump flood is to drill several small holes in the return line at the top of the tank, right below where the water level usually is. If the power goes out/pump fails, a siphon will form in the return line from the display to the sump. Having holes in the return line will break the siphon. I'd suggest drilling several, you never know when a snail or two might be covering one up.

I don't know if you have an auto-top off. If you do, just regularly clean the float valve to make sure it doesn't get stuck.

indydog1 · 01/03/2010, 06:17 PM

if you are concerned with the reef ready tank dont be. you will find that there are more floods from tanks that are not reef ready flooding due to loss of siphon in the weir.

as mentioned it would be better to have your return line drill, or simply have it at the top of the water line so when a back siphon occurs then it will be minimal.

when you start mark your full levels for the sump. this is done by filling the main tank with the pumps off to the overflow, and then fill just below the top of the sump. this is the max level your system can handle. turn on your pumps and when the system is fully running mark the water level in your sump. never fill ablove this line or if the power fails, you will flood. as long as the water level is higher then the pump you use this would be the minimum. keep the water inbetween theses marks and all is well.

JNye · 01/03/2010, 07:05 PM

just do a test run, shut down the main pump and see if it floods, if it doesn't you are golden...physics are predictable.

maazreef · 01/03/2010, 07:14 PM

thanks. i already started drilling holes. and will test run it like it was suggested. (fingers crossed)

maazreef · 01/03/2010, 08:54 PM

Walah!!!!!THANKS EVERYONE. everything seems to be on the green. Im good to go.
I love R.C.

Bob60070 · 01/04/2010, 01:17 AM

Make sure to clean out the holes as salt creep will clog them. I use a toothpick and do every other week.

rcgogo · 01/04/2010, 01:30 AM

Good sump site you might want to reference.

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

kd_lc · 01/04/2010, 01:11 PM

Im Glad ur enjoying the tank take care of my fishies (tear)

01/03/2010, 05:52 PM	#1
maazreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Glendale Heights Posts: 495	reef ready tank (flood concern)HELP! hey everyone. i just recently upgraded to a 72 bow thanks to kd_lc. it came with all the connections and im really new with this reef ready and sump under the tank situation. i am running a hang on back on my 46 but now i dont know if i should be concerned about getting floods while im away due to sump under my 72. does this ever occur? i just want to be prepared and maybe figure out if there is any way to prevent this from happening if it ever will. i have a basement underneath and wouldnt want my electronics to get ruined. Please anybody help. i dont know if im being over_paranoid about this, i would just like to hear what people think about my little situation if any. thank you i would trully appreciate to hear waht everyone has to say.

01/03/2010, 06:17 PM	#4
indydog1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: round lake, il Posts: 1,590	if you are concerned with the reef ready tank dont be. you will find that there are more floods from tanks that are not reef ready flooding due to loss of siphon in the weir. as mentioned it would be better to have your return line drill, or simply have it at the top of the water line so when a back siphon occurs then it will be minimal. when you start mark your full levels for the sump. this is done by filling the main tank with the pumps off to the overflow, and then fill just below the top of the sump. this is the max level your system can handle. turn on your pumps and when the system is fully running mark the water level in your sump. never fill ablove this line or if the power fails, you will flood. as long as the water level is higher then the pump you use this would be the minimum. keep the water inbetween theses marks and all is well. __________________ Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself Current Tank Info: 210 gal

01/03/2010, 07:05 PM	#5
JNye Moved On Up Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lansing, IL Posts: 2,230	just do a test run, shut down the main pump and see if it floods, if it doesn't you are golden...physics are predictable. __________________ Joe Current Tank Info: it don't matter just don't bite it

01/04/2010, 01:11 PM	#10
kd_lc Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Franklin Park Posts: 853	Im Glad ur enjoying the tank take care of my fishies (tear) __________________ "Big Boy" Thanks LHC Current Tank Info: 125 and 75 in Parents house and 12 and 55 Gallon at my place.

01/03/2010, 06:08 PM	#2
foodog Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Alhambra, CA Posts: 170	Make sure there is enough space in your sump to compensate for the excess water that would be siphoned into the sump during a power outage. Goodluck!

01/03/2010, 06:09 PM	#3
audiophile42 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Gurnee, IL Posts: 410	The main thing to prevent a sump flood is to drill several small holes in the return line at the top of the tank, right below where the water level usually is. If the power goes out/pump fails, a siphon will form in the return line from the display to the sump. Having holes in the return line will break the siphon. I'd suggest drilling several, you never know when a snail or two might be covering one up. I don't know if you have an auto-top off. If you do, just regularly clean the float valve to make sure it doesn't get stuck.

01/03/2010, 07:14 PM	#6
maazreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Glendale Heights Posts: 495	thanks. i already started drilling holes. and will test run it like it was suggested. (fingers crossed)

01/03/2010, 08:54 PM	#7
maazreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Glendale Heights Posts: 495	Walah!!!!!THANKS EVERYONE. everything seems to be on the green. Im good to go. I love R.C.

01/04/2010, 01:17 AM	#8
Bob60070 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 944	Make sure to clean out the holes as salt creep will clog them. I use a toothpick and do every other week.

01/04/2010, 01:30 AM	#9
rcgogo Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 314	Good sump site you might want to reference. http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html