Return line siphon break question??

chase0830 · 11/15/2009, 12:09 PM

Hello again,
I have another beginner question. My question is about my return line in my wet/dry filter. I know a big problem could arise if my power went out and my sump return acted like a siphon and drained back into the sump. I have read about drilling a hole in the return line just below the water level(I have an internal overflow). I was wondering if I could just make sure where the water flows into the tank(I use line-loc to direct water back into the tank) was elevated high enough to where if the water level dropped the ends of the line-loc would become exposed to air and stop the siphon back to the sump? I hope my description makes sense. I just got done rinsing my sand and putting into my 75 gallon. I think I will have this thing filled and running by the end of the day...hopefully. By the way, I went with Caribsea Fiji Pink which I was real reluctant about but the pink is extremely subtle

Playa-1 · 11/15/2009, 01:21 PM

The preferred method to minimize the back-flow is having the return nozzle close to the water level of the DT.

chase0830 · 11/15/2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playa-1

The preferred method to minimize the back-flow is having the return nozzle close to the water level of the DT.

That is how I have mine setup. I have a "Y" loc-line connector at the elbow from my return line. Each one is set about half-way out from the top of the water. This seems as if it would work because as soon as the DT water level drops below them the back siphon should stop...Does this seem correct? Is there still a need to drill a hole in the elbow or just below on return pipe?

bertoni · 11/15/2009, 04:58 PM

I put a few holes in my return line to act as siphon breaks. It's a bit safer to have the nozzle out of the water, as holes can be plugged.

Playa-1 · 11/15/2009, 09:30 PM

As long as the nozzles are close to the surface then you shouldn't need the extra holes drilled. It is my understanding that Locline is not guaranteed leak free, so you might take that into consideration in your plans.

11/15/2009, 12:09 PM	#1
chase0830 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bensalem, Pa Posts: 7	Return line siphon break question?? Hello again, I have another beginner question. My question is about my return line in my wet/dry filter. I know a big problem could arise if my power went out and my sump return acted like a siphon and drained back into the sump. I have read about drilling a hole in the return line just below the water level(I have an internal overflow). I was wondering if I could just make sure where the water flows into the tank(I use line-loc to direct water back into the tank) was elevated high enough to where if the water level dropped the ends of the line-loc would become exposed to air and stop the siphon back to the sump? I hope my description makes sense. I just got done rinsing my sand and putting into my 75 gallon. I think I will have this thing filled and running by the end of the day...hopefully. By the way, I went with Caribsea Fiji Pink which I was real reluctant about but the pink is extremely subtle

11/15/2009, 04:58 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I put a few holes in my return line to act as siphon breaks. It's a bit safer to have the nozzle out of the water, as holes can be plugged. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/15/2009, 01:21 PM	#2
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	The preferred method to minimize the back-flow is having the return nozzle close to the water level of the DT.

11/15/2009, 09:30 PM	#5
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	As long as the nozzles are close to the surface then you shouldn't need the extra holes drilled. It is my understanding that Locline is not guaranteed leak free, so you might take that into consideration in your plans.