Return Pipe inside overflow for feedback to tank

basssnake · 08/29/2008, 05:55 PM

My 180 has a overflow built in in the middle. The return pipe comes through the bottom and is 3/4". The guy that had it before me drilled a hole in the pipe about 4" below where the threaded fitting threads into a u shaped pipe which sits above the tank top and the end of the u goes through a hole and a lock line attached. He said that it was for a anti siphon, but the lock line already has a hole in it for that. I am wondering if this little hole will shoot water out of it?? If so, should i rebuild this pipe and not have the hole? I will be using a iwaki pump that will be pushing about 1200gph.

Pneumatic · 08/29/2008, 06:34 PM

I did something very similar. I bought a tank with two Loc-Line returns and they both had holes drilled in the PVC. I needed to redo the plumbing anyway so I just replaced the elbow with the hole in it and it's working fine.

I suppose it doesn't hurt to have a backup hole to break the siphon and if it's under the waterline it shouldn't spray. It would just be your personal preference if you want to take it out or leave it as is.

basssnake · 08/30/2008, 04:30 PM

So, as long as the hole is below the water surface, it shouldn't hurt anything? The hole is drilled at a angle, and of course it faces up(if you have that end up), so that is why i thought maybe it would spray out. I could just face it down(put that end into the bulkhead) and the only concern then would be how much gph i would lose, if any. Anyone have any thing to add to this? pneumatic haven't thing further to add?

08/29/2008, 05:55 PM	#1
basssnake Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 838	Return Pipe inside overflow for feedback to tank My 180 has a overflow built in in the middle. The return pipe comes through the bottom and is 3/4". The guy that had it before me drilled a hole in the pipe about 4" below where the threaded fitting threads into a u shaped pipe which sits above the tank top and the end of the u goes through a hole and a lock line attached. He said that it was for a anti siphon, but the lock line already has a hole in it for that. I am wondering if this little hole will shoot water out of it?? If so, should i rebuild this pipe and not have the hole? I will be using a iwaki pump that will be pushing about 1200gph.

08/29/2008, 06:34 PM	#2
Pneumatic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 25	I did something very similar. I bought a tank with two Loc-Line returns and they both had holes drilled in the PVC. I needed to redo the plumbing anyway so I just replaced the elbow with the hole in it and it's working fine. I suppose it doesn't hurt to have a backup hole to break the siphon and if it's under the waterline it shouldn't spray. It would just be your personal preference if you want to take it out or leave it as is.

08/30/2008, 04:30 PM	#3
basssnake Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 838	So, as long as the hole is below the water surface, it shouldn't hurt anything? The hole is drilled at a angle, and of course it faces up(if you have that end up), so that is why i thought maybe it would spray out. I could just face it down(put that end into the bulkhead) and the only concern then would be how much gph i would lose, if any. Anyone have any thing to add to this? pneumatic haven't thing further to add?