Siphon Breaks with lock line

M88A2 · 08/13/2011, 09:06 AM

Im in the middle of building a 75gal/20gal sup tank and was wondering how to create a siphon break when Lock Line is attached to the end of the return. Is there a way to do this even if the return is drill to the back of the tank? I have a check vavle but im a little nervous after reading that they may fail...Any ideads are greatly appreciated.

Jim Miller · 08/13/2011, 02:51 PM

The siphon break can tee into the line in any convenient spot and the resultant line brought to an inconspicuous location at the approrpriate height.

Jim

pico-reefer · 08/13/2011, 03:02 PM

just drill a small hole in the locline, right under the surface of the water, you can drill 2 incase 1 clogs

reefermad619 · 08/13/2011, 03:49 PM

Best way to avoid a flood is to make sure your sump has enough room to handle the backflow from a power outage. Check valves WILL fail. Siphon breaks in returns can fail too. It's a small hole that will get covered or blocked by algea or something else floating around.

tkeracer619 · 08/13/2011, 07:07 PM

How far below the water line is the return drilled into the tank?

M88A2 · 08/13/2011, 08:54 PM

i havent made any holes in the tank yet, i wanted to have a solution prior to drilling. i guess i might have to go with the "up and over" the tank plumbing...

nemosworld · 08/13/2011, 09:12 PM

when using loclines, i never put the output under water, i keep it at the surface of the water.
when power goes out, i get very minimal backflow, i'm talking what's just in the line. but if it must be submerged, drill a hole or two like suggested above.

M88A2 · 08/13/2011, 11:56 PM

do you mean to say that the tip is out of the water or just the main body? i just really want to make sure i do this right.

nemosworld · 08/14/2011, 12:11 AM

yes the tip, it basically sits right at the water level, so no splashing.

M88A2 · 08/14/2011, 10:17 AM

awsome, guess i will go ahead and drill that return. thanks for the tip

M88A2 · 08/14/2011, 10:23 AM

awsome, guess i will go ahead and drill that return. thanks for the tip

MrSandman · 08/14/2011, 10:26 AM

The downside with putting the tip just below water level is if you ever shut the return pump off for feeding, maintenance, or anything else, the water level will drop in the tank. When you turn the pump back on, because the tip is exposed, you will get alot of splashing until it becomes submerged again. This could be bad if you have your lights hanging down low, or you have an open top tank. Water can and will splash around and could get your floor wet. Something to ccnsider.

nemosworld · 08/14/2011, 11:35 AM

the water level won't drop,that's the point,as soon as the power goes out, you should get a siphon break. if you place the tip below the water then yes, you are right; splashing will accur.

Esquare · 08/15/2011, 06:11 AM

I do something similar but have the tip of the loc line just below the water surface. I get a little more back flow to the sump (not much) but it results in less noise when the return is working.

dylan87 · 08/15/2011, 06:48 PM

each inch in a 75 is a little less than four gallons so theoretically if you have the loc line tip 2 in below water youll have 8 gallons of overflow plus what runs through the pipes. with a 5 in baffle in the sump you would be okay but it would be close.. i would use a 29 gal for sump instead that way you would definitly be ok

M88A2 · 08/15/2011, 09:20 PM

well i toiled with all the ideas in my head and decided to go with pico-reefer's suggestion. I'll drill two small holes in the line just under the waterline. thanks all for your input.

BeanAnimal · 08/16/2011, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M88A2

well i toiled with all the ideas in my head and decided to go with pico-reefer's suggestion. I'll drill two small holes in the line just under the waterline. thanks all for your input.

You have a flood waiting to happen. Siphon break holes can clog very easily.

08/13/2011, 09:06 AM	#1
M88A2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 682	Siphon Breaks with lock line Im in the middle of building a 75gal/20gal sup tank and was wondering how to create a siphon break when Lock Line is attached to the end of the return. Is there a way to do this even if the return is drill to the back of the tank? I have a check vavle but im a little nervous after reading that they may fail...Any ideads are greatly appreciated.

08/13/2011, 03:49 PM	#4
reefermad619 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Salty D! Sandy let go of my eggo! Posts: 1,962	Best way to avoid a flood is to make sure your sump has enough room to handle the backflow from a power outage. Check valves WILL fail. Siphon breaks in returns can fail too. It's a small hole that will get covered or blocked by algea or something else floating around. __________________ Fish tanks and Chevys... And my cousin's Datsun too. Some call it paranoid. I call it prepared. You have more post than I do... You MUST be right then!

08/13/2011, 07:07 PM	#5
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	How far below the water line is the return drilled into the tank? __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

08/13/2011, 09:12 PM	#7
nemosworld Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston TX Posts: 1,411	when using loclines, i never put the output under water, i keep it at the surface of the water. when power goes out, i get very minimal backflow, i'm talking what's just in the line. but if it must be submerged, drill a hole or two like suggested above. __________________ Felix Nice to meet you! Current Tank Info: 60 Gallon Cube

08/14/2011, 12:11 AM	#9
nemosworld Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston TX Posts: 1,411	yes the tip, it basically sits right at the water level, so no splashing. __________________ Felix Nice to meet you! Current Tank Info: 60 Gallon Cube

08/13/2011, 02:51 PM	#2
Jim Miller Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 4	The siphon break can tee into the line in any convenient spot and the resultant line brought to an inconspicuous location at the approrpriate height. Jim

08/13/2011, 03:02 PM	#3
pico-reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: nj Posts: 334	just drill a small hole in the locline, right under the surface of the water, you can drill 2 incase 1 clogs

08/13/2011, 08:54 PM	#6
M88A2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 682	i havent made any holes in the tank yet, i wanted to have a solution prior to drilling. i guess i might have to go with the "up and over" the tank plumbing...

08/13/2011, 11:56 PM	#8
M88A2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 682	do you mean to say that the tip is out of the water or just the main body? i just really want to make sure i do this right.

08/14/2011, 10:17 AM	#10
M88A2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 682	awsome, guess i will go ahead and drill that return. thanks for the tip

08/14/2011, 10:23 AM	#11
M88A2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 682	awsome, guess i will go ahead and drill that return. thanks for the tip

08/14/2011, 10:26 AM	#12
MrSandman Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: South Bay, So. Cal. Posts: 5,408 Blog Entries: 6	The downside with putting the tip just below water level is if you ever shut the return pump off for feeding, maintenance, or anything else, the water level will drop in the tank. When you turn the pump back on, because the tip is exposed, you will get alot of splashing until it becomes submerged again. This could be bad if you have your lights hanging down low, or you have an open top tank. Water can and will splash around and could get your floor wet. Something to ccnsider. __________________ June 2001 Tank of the Month. Yes, i said 2001. Current Tank Info: 112G 36"x36"x20" Lee-mar rimless. Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2293182.

08/14/2011, 11:35 AM	#13
nemosworld Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston TX Posts: 1,411	the water level won't drop,that's the point,as soon as the power goes out, you should get a siphon break. if you place the tip below the water then yes, you are right; splashing will accur. __________________ Felix Nice to meet you! Current Tank Info: 60 Gallon Cube

08/15/2011, 06:11 AM	#14
Esquare Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lorain, Ohio Posts: 1,954	I do something similar but have the tip of the loc line just below the water surface. I get a little more back flow to the sump (not much) but it results in less noise when the return is working. __________________ Eddie Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder with Dwarf Lionfish

08/15/2011, 06:48 PM	#15
dylan87 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: campaign, il Posts: 129	each inch in a 75 is a little less than four gallons so theoretically if you have the loc line tip 2 in below water youll have 8 gallons of overflow plus what runs through the pipes. with a 5 in baffle in the sump you would be okay but it would be close.. i would use a 29 gal for sump instead that way you would definitly be ok

08/15/2011, 09:20 PM	#16
M88A2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 682	well i toiled with all the ideas in my head and decided to go with pico-reefer's suggestion. I'll drill two small holes in the line just under the waterline. thanks all for your input.

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