syphon stop and lock line questions

3rdimension · 01/03/2012, 12:55 PM

I never thought of drilling a siphon stop hole near the top so I can make the return hose go further down toward the middle of the tank instead of returning water on the surface, only for it to go back into the overflow into the sump sooner than necessary. My question is, what does a lock line look like and where does it go and what is it's purpose? My next qeustion is, is it necessary to have siphons near the bottom to collect food and waste if you already have an overflow system?

If I was to add siphons at the bottom of the tank, would the water still siphon out more near the bottom if there were siphon stops near the top if/when the power shuts off? I thought about testing that out to see if it would work without the use of a pump or canister filter to help give more efficient self cleaning of the aquarium going directly into the sump. Then I thought about it, and the sump would probably fill up too quickly unless I attached ball valves on each of the bottom siphon hoses to lessen the flow rate, but then the suction would be weaker, making the bottom siphons less effective.

Has anyone tried using bottom siphons without the use of any pumps/filters but just going into a sump by gravitational pull with a siphon stop near the top? If so, did it work as long as you had enough flow feedback from a return pump from the sump? Or would you recommend a cannister filter instead to do bottom cleaning? The less power I need to use, the better. Also where's the best place to drill a syphon stop and how big should the hole be? I have a fake reef system with just fish, so no snails loose plants or corals will get stuck in it. what's a good size that would do it's job if/when the power goes out? Thanks for anyones help.

Steved13 · 01/03/2012, 01:16 PM

I've only ever used siphon breaks on outputs into the tank, it's about a 1/4" hole. A siphon break in the drain, is going to give you a problem when the level drops and the siphon breaks it will not start again. I would not run a straight siphon to the bottom of the tank as, sooner or later you will empty your tank.

3rdimension · 01/05/2012, 01:38 AM

yeah, I have to agree, thanks for the input. now what's a lock line, what's it's purpose and where is it placed?

watteau · 01/05/2012, 07:01 AM

dual post

watteau · 01/05/2012, 07:02 AM

loc-line is a brand of pipe sections that can join together and is very popular as part of a return, I have it on my new tank. photo below

3rdimension · 01/05/2012, 05:52 PM

oh ok, that's what the name of those are then. I've already got that on my tank and used the same thing several years ago. thanks!

01/03/2012, 12:55 PM	#1
3rdimension Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 243	syphon stop and lock line questions I never thought of drilling a siphon stop hole near the top so I can make the return hose go further down toward the middle of the tank instead of returning water on the surface, only for it to go back into the overflow into the sump sooner than necessary. My question is, what does a lock line look like and where does it go and what is it's purpose? My next qeustion is, is it necessary to have siphons near the bottom to collect food and waste if you already have an overflow system? If I was to add siphons at the bottom of the tank, would the water still siphon out more near the bottom if there were siphon stops near the top if/when the power shuts off? I thought about testing that out to see if it would work without the use of a pump or canister filter to help give more efficient self cleaning of the aquarium going directly into the sump. Then I thought about it, and the sump would probably fill up too quickly unless I attached ball valves on each of the bottom siphon hoses to lessen the flow rate, but then the suction would be weaker, making the bottom siphons less effective. Has anyone tried using bottom siphons without the use of any pumps/filters but just going into a sump by gravitational pull with a siphon stop near the top? If so, did it work as long as you had enough flow feedback from a return pump from the sump? Or would you recommend a cannister filter instead to do bottom cleaning? The less power I need to use, the better. Also where's the best place to drill a syphon stop and how big should the hole be? I have a fake reef system with just fish, so no snails loose plants or corals will get stuck in it. what's a good size that would do it's job if/when the power goes out? Thanks for anyones help.

01/03/2012, 01:16 PM	#2
Steved13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Treasure Island, FL Posts: 146	I've only ever used siphon breaks on outputs into the tank, it's about a 1/4" hole. A siphon break in the drain, is going to give you a problem when the level drops and the siphon breaks it will not start again. I would not run a straight siphon to the bottom of the tank as, sooner or later you will empty your tank. __________________ 250 G DD,AI SOL Super Blue X4, 2X Reeflo Super Dart Gold return pumps, Emperor Aquatics 50W HO UV, Apex controller, 2X Vortech MP40WES w/batt, Profilux 4 ch doser,RO BR110 Biopellet reactor, RO MF 2000 reactor w/ GAC, i-Tech 400 Skimmer, 2X Mocean 2000

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01/05/2012, 01:38 AM	#3
3rdimension Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 243	yeah, I have to agree, thanks for the input. now what's a lock line, what's it's purpose and where is it placed?

01/05/2012, 07:01 AM	#4
watteau Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 41	dual post

01/05/2012, 07:02 AM	#5
watteau Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 41	loc-line is a brand of pipe sections that can join together and is very popular as part of a return, I have it on my new tank. photo below

01/05/2012, 05:52 PM	#6
3rdimension Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 243	oh ok, that's what the name of those are then. I've already got that on my tank and used the same thing several years ago. thanks!