sump return help!

loluck · 06/05/2011, 03:10 PM

whenever i kill the power to my pump in my sump its creates a back suction that floods my sump how can i stop this from happening would a small hole below the water level in the sump stop this?

davocean · 06/05/2011, 03:17 PM

To Reef Central
Well, your sump should only be about 3/4 or so in order to handle the back siphon/overflow.
If you have lockline returns, keeping them up high for an early siphon break is best.

bnumair · 06/05/2011, 03:18 PM

install a flow valve, its directional so only goes oneway.

loluck · 06/05/2011, 03:26 PM

thanks for the quick reply guys, i think i got it figured out i was just alittle jumpy as i just now turned everything on to see if it was working

zach_24_90 · 06/05/2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnumair

install a flow valve, its directional so only goes oneway.

best way

davocean · 06/05/2011, 05:51 PM

Flow valves fail, and quite often.

pete33 · 06/06/2011, 02:18 PM

I just drilled a small hole in my return line just below the water surface. Works well.

0 tds · 06/06/2011, 02:32 PM

If you do drill a hole just below the surface, make sure you keep it clean!!! Put it on your weekley cleaning list. If not, flood city.

pmrossetti · 06/06/2011, 02:36 PM

more than 1 hole is better

pmark · 06/06/2011, 07:52 PM

heard about the drilled hole on the return as well. two would probably be a better idea if it can be done.

vorm · 06/06/2011, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmark

heard about the drilled hole on the return as well. two would probably be a better idea if it can be done.

And/Or keeping the outlet on the return close enough to the surface that it will come out of the water when the pump is off. The more redundancy the better when it comes to preventing a flooded floor. Using nothing but a check valve would scare me, if the power ever goes out when your not around and it doesn't close off all the way it's going to keep back siphoning water and overflow your sump.

06/05/2011, 03:10 PM	#1
loluck Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2	sump return help! whenever i kill the power to my pump in my sump its creates a back suction that floods my sump how can i stop this from happening would a small hole below the water level in the sump stop this?

06/05/2011, 03:17 PM	#2
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	*To Reef Central* Well, your sump should only be about 3/4 or so in order to handle the back siphon/overflow. If you have lockline returns, keeping them up high for an early siphon break is best. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

06/05/2011, 03:18 PM	#3
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	install a flow valve, its directional so only goes oneway. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

06/05/2011, 05:51 PM	#6
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Flow valves fail, and quite often. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

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06/05/2011, 03:26 PM	#4
loluck Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2	thanks for the quick reply guys, i think i got it figured out i was just alittle jumpy as i just now turned everything on to see if it was working

06/06/2011, 02:18 PM	#7
pete33 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Granada Hills, CA Posts: 259	I just drilled a small hole in my return line just below the water surface. Works well.

06/06/2011, 02:32 PM	#8
0 tds Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St Augustine Fl Posts: 138	If you do drill a hole just below the surface, make sure you keep it clean!!! Put it on your weekley cleaning list. If not, flood city.

06/06/2011, 02:36 PM	#9
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	more than 1 hole is better

06/06/2011, 07:52 PM	#10
pmark Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NYC Posts: 170	heard about the drilled hole on the return as well. two would probably be a better idea if it can be done.