Plumbing design not working

Guzzetta · 03/06/2009, 11:03 PM

So I did a simulated power outage and almost flooded my home today. I have done something wrong and need advice. When planning my sump I only took in account the volume of water that would return through the drain in the event of a power outage. What I did not expect is the volume of water that is returning through my return lines and back through the pump. This volume is much greater since those holes are drilled about 2 inches down the tank. Is a check valve the only option? I was hoping to stay away from one since I assumed they would cause a huge lose of flow.

kraze3 · 03/06/2009, 11:14 PM

I use locline on the inside of the bulkhead for my return. The locline curves up towards the surface then down aimed behind my rockwork. I drilled a very small hole in the locline just below the surface of the water. In a power outtage the water drains to that hole and then it sucks in air breaking the siphon. Dont drill the hole on the top or it will shoot out water =)

Check valves will work for a while but eventually they can get clogged up. I wouldnt trust them.

java · 03/06/2009, 11:18 PM

yeah i would run some sort of outlet up a little higher on the returns.

Guzzetta · 03/06/2009, 11:37 PM

Nice, I've been reading up on that very idea. What size hole are we talking about? 1/8 inch? Only 1 hole or a couple in case of clogging?

nikon187 · 03/06/2009, 11:44 PM

couple.. I drilled one last time and it clogged quite fast. Snails will also sit on them, just use a toothpick to keep them clean

03/06/2009, 11:03 PM	#1
Guzzetta Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 107	Plumbing design not working So I did a simulated power outage and almost flooded my home today. I have done something wrong and need advice. When planning my sump I only took in account the volume of water that would return through the drain in the event of a power outage. What I did not expect is the volume of water that is returning through my return lines and back through the pump. This volume is much greater since those holes are drilled about 2 inches down the tank. Is a check valve the only option? I was hoping to stay away from one since I assumed they would cause a huge lose of flow.

03/06/2009, 11:44 PM	#5
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	couple.. I drilled one last time and it clogged quite fast. Snails will also sit on them, just use a toothpick to keep them clean __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

03/06/2009, 11:14 PM	#2
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	I use locline on the inside of the bulkhead for my return. The locline curves up towards the surface then down aimed behind my rockwork. I drilled a very small hole in the locline just below the surface of the water. In a power outtage the water drains to that hole and then it sucks in air breaking the siphon. Dont drill the hole on the top or it will shoot out water =) Check valves will work for a while but eventually they can get clogged up. I wouldnt trust them.

03/06/2009, 11:18 PM	#3
java Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 325	yeah i would run some sort of outlet up a little higher on the returns.

03/06/2009, 11:37 PM	#4
Guzzetta Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 107	Nice, I've been reading up on that very idea. What size hole are we talking about? 1/8 inch? Only 1 hole or a couple in case of clogging?