near disaster

ryan scott · 03/22/2008, 11:44 PM

I preformed a water change today and lucky that I was near the tank when I shut off the main pump. I installed a new and more powerful return pump recently, after I installed the pump I noticed that the flow coming out of the intake was to strong on the top of the water so turned the inlet down which also gave me ever better flow in the tank. However the return inlet is about 50mm-70mm long (when running on top of tank no problem) and when I turned the pump off for my water change it created a siphon that was lower than my outlets.

When I checked the sump it was only a few centre metres from overflowing.

So I learnt a very important lesson today!!

NewFish3 · 03/22/2008, 11:53 PM

You should have GFCI outlets...Ground fault circuit interupter.

If the water hit the outlet, it will trip & shut off

Where are you in Australia ???? I have 2 very good friends in Tazi..

NewFish3 · 03/22/2008, 11:57 PM

Also, If I understand you right....the water backed up after turning the pump off ???

If so, Maybe install a 1 way check valve..

kau_cinta_ku · 03/22/2008, 11:58 PM

you need to put siphon break holes on your outlet just below the water line for that purpose.

ryan scott · 03/23/2008, 12:20 AM

thanks yes from Australia in Brisbane fairly close to the Great Barrier Reef.
Yes I will have to install a non return valve, but just never picked it up!!

We have a safty switch that shuts off all power.

The outlet is fine as if the power shuts off the sump can handle the extra water my outlets are about 50mm from the top of the tank.

R.W. · 03/23/2008, 12:31 AM

the siphon-break is the key to solving this problem. Drill a hole in the piping below the water line. But make sure it will become in contact with the air when the pump shuts off after a little while of draining to avoid an overflow.

NewFish3 · 03/23/2008, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reefdavaj16
the siphon-break is the key to solving this problem. Drill a hole in the piping below the water line. But make sure it will become in contact with the air when the pump shuts off after a little while of draining to avoid an overflow.

Do you have any pictures of what you are talking about ???

Iam getting ready to set up a large tank...90 or 125 gal...not sure yet....I dont know what you mean...Pictures would really help

Thanks

03/22/2008, 11:44 PM	#1
ryan scott Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 80	near disaster I preformed a water change today and lucky that I was near the tank when I shut off the main pump. I installed a new and more powerful return pump recently, after I installed the pump I noticed that the flow coming out of the intake was to strong on the top of the water so turned the inlet down which also gave me ever better flow in the tank. However the return inlet is about 50mm-70mm long (when running on top of tank no problem) and when I turned the pump off for my water change it created a siphon that was lower than my outlets. When I checked the sump it was only a few centre metres from overflowing. So I learnt a very important lesson today!! __________________ 620 litre main tank with 150 L sump Aquamedic aqua sunlight 3x 250watt with 4 T5 80watt and moon light on light computer Current Tank Info: 620 litre main tank with a 150 litre Sump

03/22/2008, 11:53 PM	#2
NewFish3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,096	You should have GFCI outlets...Ground fault circuit interupter. If the water hit the outlet, it will trip & shut off Where are you in Australia ???? I have 2 very good friends in Tazi.. __________________ On a scuba dive in the Cayman Islands, I kept thinking.........Why is that Fish getting bigger.........Then it hit me Current Tank Info: 7 years saltwater.. Setting up a 120 gal reef. Office BioCube 14...1 perc clown, 1 royal gramma, 1 six line wrasse, fire shrimp, cleaner shrimp, green stripe, brown shrooms, coco worm, purple leather, Misc CUC

03/22/2008, 11:57 PM	#3
NewFish3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,096	Also, If I understand you right....the water backed up after turning the pump off ??? If so, Maybe install a 1 way check valve.. __________________ On a scuba dive in the Cayman Islands, I kept thinking.........Why is that Fish getting bigger.........Then it hit me Current Tank Info: 7 years saltwater.. Setting up a 120 gal reef. Office BioCube 14...1 perc clown, 1 royal gramma, 1 six line wrasse, fire shrimp, cleaner shrimp, green stripe, brown shrooms, coco worm, purple leather, Misc CUC

03/23/2008, 12:20 AM	#5
ryan scott Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 80	thanks yes from Australia in Brisbane fairly close to the Great Barrier Reef. Yes I will have to install a non return valve, but just never picked it up!! We have a safty switch that shuts off all power. The outlet is fine as if the power shuts off the sump can handle the extra water my outlets are about 50mm from the top of the tank. __________________ 620 litre main tank with 150 L sump Aquamedic aqua sunlight 3x 250watt with 4 T5 80watt and moon light on light computer Current Tank Info: 620 litre main tank with a 150 litre Sump

03/23/2008, 12:31 AM	#6
R.W. Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 890	the siphon-break is the key to solving this problem. Drill a hole in the piping below the water line. But make sure it will become in contact with the air when the pump shuts off after a little while of draining to avoid an overflow. __________________ 180g FOWLR "Sun bathing on the floor next to your tank is not, in any way equivalent to spending time outdoors."

03/22/2008, 11:58 PM	#4
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	you need to put siphon break holes on your outlet just below the water line for that purpose.