Gravity Feeding

joobie · 10/07/2012, 04:18 AM

Hi All,

I'm in the process of setting up a tank with the Herbie method - using a siphon with a gate valve and an extra overflow above that for any excess / emergency overflow. The output from this will flow into a sump.

I'm not sure if i'm living in fairy land - but would it be possible to make the overflow and return flow without a pump?

What i'm thinking is that if I place the sump higher than the main tank, the siphon will be able to push the water up against gravity (this will be possible once there is no more air left in the overflow line right?). Then the output from the sump could be drilled at a higher point in the sump, so that when the water lever from the overflow increases the water in the sump, it then overflows from the sump back down into the main tank (gravity fed).

The end goal is to reduce the ongoing cost.

Interested in your thoughts....

Thanks, Richard

bb · 10/07/2012, 06:29 AM

[QUOTE=joobie;20758778]Hi All,

I'm not sure if i'm living in fairy land - but would it be possible to make the overflow and return flow without a pump?

What i'm thinking is that if I place the sump higher than the main tank, the siphon will be able to push the water up against gravity (this will be possible once there is no more air left in the overflow line right?). Then the output from the sump could be drilled at a higher point in the sump, so that when the water lever from the overflow increases the water in the sump, it then overflows from the sump back down into the main tank (gravity fed).

Sorry man, but unless you can manipulate the physics that hold the universe together this is not going to work. You will not get the pressure needed to overcome gravity from the DT to the sump. The siphon will break and flow back Into the DT.

joobie · 10/08/2012, 01:39 PM

Ahh, Thanks BB.

I always wanted to be an X-Men ;P

Cheers, Richard

10/07/2012, 04:18 AM	#1
joobie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 47	Gravity Feeding Hi All, I'm in the process of setting up a tank with the Herbie method - using a siphon with a gate valve and an extra overflow above that for any excess / emergency overflow. The output from this will flow into a sump. I'm not sure if i'm living in fairy land - but would it be possible to make the overflow and return flow without a pump? What i'm thinking is that if I place the sump higher than the main tank, the siphon will be able to push the water up against gravity (this will be possible once there is no more air left in the overflow line right?). Then the output from the sump could be drilled at a higher point in the sump, so that when the water lever from the overflow increases the water in the sump, it then overflows from the sump back down into the main tank (gravity fed). The end goal is to reduce the ongoing cost. Interested in your thoughts.... Thanks, Richard

10/07/2012, 06:29 AM	#2
bb Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Phila. Posts: 268	[QUOTE=joobie;20758778]Hi All, I'm not sure if i'm living in fairy land - but would it be possible to make the overflow and return flow without a pump? What i'm thinking is that if I place the sump higher than the main tank, the siphon will be able to push the water up against gravity (this will be possible once there is no more air left in the overflow line right?). Then the output from the sump could be drilled at a higher point in the sump, so that when the water lever from the overflow increases the water in the sump, it then overflows from the sump back down into the main tank (gravity fed). Sorry man, but unless you can manipulate the physics that hold the universe together this is not going to work. You will not get the pressure needed to overcome gravity from the DT to the sump. The siphon will break and flow back Into the DT. Last edited by bb; 10/07/2012 at 06:30 AM. Reason: I plugged my response into his quote.

10/08/2012, 01:39 PM	#3
joobie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 47	Ahh, Thanks BB. I always wanted to be an X-Men ;P Cheers, Richard