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| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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09-22-2004, 01:01 AM
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#1
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Plankton
Join Date: May 2004
Location: texas
Posts: 35
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return pipe siphons
i have a major problem..how do u stop the siphoning of the return pipe when the pumps stop running?? (like when the power goes out)..ive almost had a flood because the power went out once..i jsut want to make sure it doesnt happen again..
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09-22-2004, 01:18 AM
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#2
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The Ninja MOD
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 13,624
Reviews: 23
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One way is to put a small hole just below the water level in your tank. When the water level drops below this hole, it breaks the siphon. You must make sure to check it on a regular basis as it could plug up. Just make it part of your normal maintanence routine.
My return empties into the tank just below the water line so it breaks its own siphon.
Robert
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09-22-2004, 01:37 AM
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#3
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Big Fish
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Central Oregon
Posts: 373
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The hole spoke of earlier will plug with gunk and the whole problem starts over again.
The easiest way to make sure you dont overfow is, shut down the system and make the water in the pump about 1/2-2/3 full, make a mark on the tank there. Then turn on the pump let system stabilize and make a mark on the sump at point. After that just keep your water level at the second mark. ( I've tried the hole, didn't work. Big mess.) They also make a one way check valve.
Good luck,
Lips
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09-22-2004, 06:54 AM
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#4
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Pretty In Pink
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: portland or
Posts: 3,262
Reviews: 6
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I'd stay away from those "checkvalves", same problem as the hole cloggin up. But, the hole it is the quickest fix and the easiest one to do. So it's just a matter of maintenance.
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09-22-2004, 07:14 AM
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#5
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Little fish in a big pond
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Canton, GA USA
Posts: 5,898
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The hole works if you ream it out with a paperclip every now and then. AGA overflow kits come with a hole drilled in the 90-degree elbow coming off the return pipe where it connects to the modular flexible pipe. Works like a charm.
Jenn
__________________
Member of the "J" Crowd & the BRW Crowd!
LFS Owner: Imagine Ocean
Just keep skimming, just keep skimming, just keep skimming, skimming skimming! What do we do? We skim, skim, skim!
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09-22-2004, 10:00 AM
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#6
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Detroit
Posts: 116
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You definitely DON'T want the siphon to break when the power goes off. If it does, then you get a flood when the sump gets pumped into your tank after the power comes back on. Just use a properly designed overflow box and the siphon will stop drawing when the water level gets to the rim of the overflow box.
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09-22-2004, 10:09 AM
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#7
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Needs good wholesalers!
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: kansas
Posts: 318
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Dingo
You definitely DON'T want the siphon to break when the power goes off. If it does, then you get a flood when the sump gets pumped into your tank after the power comes back on. Just use a properly designed overflow box and the siphon will stop drawing when the water level gets to the rim of the overflow box.
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why would it flood, i have tested the hole theory on my tank, and had no problems?
__________________
Starting lfs in ks and needs help with wholesalers. .
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09-22-2004, 10:25 AM
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#8
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Detroit
Posts: 116
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Never mind. Brain fart.
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09-22-2004, 12:06 PM
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#9
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I'm Back
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Garnerville, NY
Posts: 1,684
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The hole will work. If and only if it is cleaned out routinely. Ever hear of Murphy and his law?
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09-28-2004, 03:51 PM
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#10
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Plankton
Join Date: May 2004
Location: texas
Posts: 35
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i just drilled a hole in the return pipe and wut a big mistake..it was drilled on the side of the 90 dregree elbow facing upward..now water is squirting out like a water gun and its splashing everywhere! haha so i sealed the hole w/ silicone..i was wondering where would you need to drill the hole becuase mine is already setup in the aquarium, there is no way i can take it out without making a big mess..and potentially causing leakage...
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09-28-2004, 03:56 PM
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#11
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Golden Shellback
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Rising Sun, MD
Posts: 1,282
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Drill it in the elbow of th 90 so it's pointing down. If it's easy to get to, you may want to consider drilling it on the pipe right below the water line before the 90. I'm getting all sorts of salt creep from the water coming out of the hole and splashing in the overflow. |
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09-28-2004, 04:25 PM
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#12
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Plankton
Join Date: May 2004
Location: texas
Posts: 35
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do u mean drill the hole in 3/4 pvc pipe in the overflow box?? i wish i can get in there but its just too tight to fit a drill in there
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09-28-2004, 04:29 PM
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#13
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 13,624
Reviews: 23
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Drill the hole on the return line just below the water line of the main tank.
Robert
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09-28-2004, 04:34 PM
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#14
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Golden Shellback
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Rising Sun, MD
Posts: 1,282
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Ahhh...Robet is correct. I just realized you might have an external overflow box. My tank is drilled and has the corner overflow with the drain and return in the same corner. Sorry for the confusion. |
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09-28-2004, 04:39 PM
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#15
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Golden Shellback
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Rising Sun, MD
Posts: 1,282
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Just had another thought which might work even if you have a corner overflow like mine...
Can you get an extension for your drill bit? You might be able to drill a hole in the side of the pipe at an angle. Or a dremel with one of those flexible gooseneck attachments.
Ok, I'll be quiet now.  |
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