Fixing the syphon effect in my sump

Demeter · 07/27/2008, 02:17 PM

I have a Mag submersible pump in my sump. The problem is when I turn off the power to the pump, it starts the syphon effect from the main tank. Any ideas on how fix my plumbing problem?

crsswift70 · 07/27/2008, 02:21 PM

Well, you can break the syphon by putting a small hole in the return line just below water level. But, it kind of depends on how your plumbing is set up. Have a pic?

Toddrtrex · 07/27/2008, 02:22 PM

Make sure that your return line ( with in the tank ) is high enough so that the siphon will break. That is really the only way that won't fail. Check valves will fail in time, and a little hole drilled in the return line just below the water line ( in the tank ) will work, but in time algae or what not may block it.

This is an old picture, but.... You can see in the back left corner my return, ((white PVC )) it is close enough to the water line that shortly after the pump is off the siphon will break.

Snowboarda42 · 07/27/2008, 02:30 PM

I do the same as Toddrtrex. Just keep your outlets barely below the water line, or at least keep one of them that way.

Macimage · 07/28/2008, 09:45 PM

+3 on keeping your outlets near the waterline. It is the only failsafe method.

Joyce

FranktheTankTx · 07/28/2008, 10:03 PM

+4

07/27/2008, 02:17 PM	#1
Demeter Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Springfield, PA Posts: 482	Fixing the syphon effect in my sump I have a Mag submersible pump in my sump. The problem is when I turn off the power to the pump, it starts the syphon effect from the main tank. Any ideas on how fix my plumbing problem? __________________ "My problem lies in reconciling my hobby with my net income." Current Tank Info: Looking for a new setup!

07/27/2008, 02:22 PM	#3
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Make sure that your return line ( with in the tank ) is high enough so that the siphon will break. That is really the only way that won't fail. Check valves will fail in time, and a little hole drilled in the return line just below the water line ( in the tank ) will work, but in time algae or what not may block it. This is an old picture, but.... You can see in the back left corner my return, ((white PVC )) it is close enough to the water line that shortly after the pump is off the siphon will break. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

07/27/2008, 02:30 PM	#4
Snowboarda42 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Warshington Posts: 1,094	I do the same as Toddrtrex. Just keep your outlets barely below the water line, or at least keep one of them that way. __________________ 40B Mixed Reef 100% Captive Grown Corals See, that's the trouble with the world today. Not enough danger to kill off stupid people before they get old enough to breed. Bring back lawn darts! -PrivateJoker64 Current Tank Info: 40B, 20L Sump/Fuge, Mag 9.5 Return, 2x Hydor Koralia #2's, 150W 14K HQI, 139W T-5, Euro-Reef RS-80P Mesh Modded, 40LB LR, 80LB LS, 54x Turnover, Mostly SPS, Some Softys Too.

07/28/2008, 10:03 PM	#6
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	+4 __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

07/27/2008, 02:21 PM	#2
crsswift70 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Spanish Fort, AL Posts: 1,032	Well, you can break the syphon by putting a small hole in the return line just below water level. But, it kind of depends on how your plumbing is set up. Have a pic?

07/28/2008, 09:45 PM	#5
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	+3 on keeping your outlets near the waterline. It is the only failsafe method. Joyce