Drilling syphon break in pump return?

boilermaker1 · 06/19/2006, 08:19 PM

I remember reading somewhere it was wise to drill a pinhole into the pump return so if the power ever goes, it doesn't turn the return into a syphon... so where do I drill this pinhole?

Slightly below the elbow?

IPowderBlueTang · 06/19/2006, 08:32 PM

slightly below or on the elbow, drill a hole and test it on your system to make sure it works and don't siphon your system.

beaniebeagle · 06/19/2006, 08:40 PM

the megaflow accessory has a hole where the arrow is
it is about 2 millimeters wide, big enough for the tip of a headphone jack, but not enough to let the whole thing in

Puffdragon · 06/20/2006, 09:47 AM

I would make 2, that way if one gets clogged it still works.

Mike.B · 06/20/2006, 03:16 PM

smleee · 06/20/2006, 03:32 PM

Also try to not place the output of the nozzle so far down in the water if you can. As in subzero420's picture, make sure you have enough room in your sump so that if that hole is clogged (or multiple others you have drilled) and it siphons down to the output you still have enough room in the sump. Don't calculate your sump level and backflow amount with the siphon hole, use the output.

eee

thor32766 · 06/20/2006, 04:37 PM

great advice smleee

06/19/2006, 08:19 PM	#1
boilermaker1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chantilly, VA Posts: 784	Drilling syphon break in pump return? I remember reading somewhere it was wise to drill a pinhole into the pump return so if the power ever goes, it doesn't turn the return into a syphon... so where do I drill this pinhole? Slightly below the elbow?

06/19/2006, 08:40 PM	#3
beaniebeagle Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: baltimore md Posts: 387	the megaflow accessory has a hole where the arrow is it is about 2 millimeters wide, big enough for the tip of a headphone jack, but not enough to let the whole thing in __________________ stupid questions do not exist, just too many stupid people Current Tank Info: 120g,1260 eheim,reef octo skimmer,vortechs x2,tek 8X54w, 2 false percs,1 bartlett anthia, 1 baby mandarin, 2 purple firefish, 2 green gobies, 1 citron goby, 1 bengai cardinal

06/20/2006, 09:47 AM	#4
Puffdragon Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 297	I would make 2, that way if one gets clogged it still works. __________________ The definition of an expert "Someone who has done something for so long that they can not see a new way to do things." Current Tank Info: 350 gallon mixed reef system

06/20/2006, 04:37 PM	#7
thor32766 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chuluota, FL Posts: 6,072	great advice smleee __________________ "Live your life so no one has to lie about who you were at your funeral" click on my red house to see my tang compound! Current Tank Info: 29 gallon in Wall!

06/19/2006, 08:32 PM	#2
IPowderBlueTang Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Canada Posts: 769	slightly below or on the elbow, drill a hole and test it on your system to make sure it works and don't siphon your system.

06/20/2006, 03:16 PM	#5
Mike.B Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 548

06/20/2006, 03:32 PM	#6
smleee Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,344	Also try to not place the output of the nozzle so far down in the water if you can. As in subzero420's picture, make sure you have enough room in your sump so that if that hole is clogged (or multiple others you have drilled) and it siphons down to the output you still have enough room in the sump. Don't calculate your sump level and backflow amount with the siphon hole, use the output. eee