jasonmrcdd
09-07-2011, 07:37 AM
Hey you silly reefing *******s!
Planning a new tank and wanted peoples opinions on the various ways to prevent your returns from reversing and sucking too much H20 into your sump in the even of a power fail.
From what I have seen, there are three ways I know of.
1) Drill a hole in the return line near the water line that will suck some air and break the siphon
2) Place return heads close enough to the top of the water level so that they only drain a little bit of water before sucking air and breaking the siphon.
3) Check Valves
I am currently using # 1 on my 46 and it works well and doesn't allow too much water ot be sucked into my sump (i only have a 10 gal sump so I don't have too much room for drainage). The thing I do not like is that the hole is just above the water line so it has a steady pee stream like flow of water. I am sure this diverts a little bit of my flow to the return, it makes a bit more noise, and makes more water splashing up and putting salt on the clear sheet protecting my lights.
I have seen people using # 2 effectivly, but I guess the downside is that your posistioning of the heads is a bit limited.
I have also seen check valves used and they seem that they are the easiest, and create the most flexibility, but how dependable are they. I have heard they are prone to failure.
Anyone have thoughts on this matter? Just trying to get some other opinions to help finalize the planning on my new system.
Thanks!
Planning a new tank and wanted peoples opinions on the various ways to prevent your returns from reversing and sucking too much H20 into your sump in the even of a power fail.
From what I have seen, there are three ways I know of.
1) Drill a hole in the return line near the water line that will suck some air and break the siphon
2) Place return heads close enough to the top of the water level so that they only drain a little bit of water before sucking air and breaking the siphon.
3) Check Valves
I am currently using # 1 on my 46 and it works well and doesn't allow too much water ot be sucked into my sump (i only have a 10 gal sump so I don't have too much room for drainage). The thing I do not like is that the hole is just above the water line so it has a steady pee stream like flow of water. I am sure this diverts a little bit of my flow to the return, it makes a bit more noise, and makes more water splashing up and putting salt on the clear sheet protecting my lights.
I have seen people using # 2 effectivly, but I guess the downside is that your posistioning of the heads is a bit limited.
I have also seen check valves used and they seem that they are the easiest, and create the most flexibility, but how dependable are they. I have heard they are prone to failure.
Anyone have thoughts on this matter? Just trying to get some other opinions to help finalize the planning on my new system.
Thanks!