preventing floods

I'm fixing to setup a drilled tank and I was needing tips on how to prevent floods. We just moved into out new house and I'm kind of scared to have a drilled system. any body have any input?

 

Make sure your sump can accommodate the extra water that will overflow in the even of a power outage. basically, if you have say 40 gallons and you overflow stops 1" below the water, then about 5 gallons of water, plus whats in the over flow and lines so say 7 gallons would go into the sump. make sense? I dont know if those numbers are accurate, but thats the most fool proof way

 

then simulate a power outage while you're there so you know you're safe!

 

its a 90 gal marineland cornerflo but i think it will drain about half way till the water level is below the overflow they seem to have a drain vent half way down

 

ya can always run some tests outside with freshwater so ya don't ruin some saltwater and your floors! i've only helped a friend do that and we just went in the garage mocked the system up and ran a few tests to make sure it was safe!

 

+1 also while its nice to have that lower overflow, if power outtages are a concern you could very easily make a new overflow. or else have a back up battery installed onto you return pump, a good back up can keep a heater and return running for a bout 48 hours.

 

what kind of battery back up you talking about? the ones offices use one computers?

 

Lol. Sorry I can't remember the name of them ATM. perhaps some one will finish my sentence? It's not really necessary if your sump can handle the added water if its a 90 you be looking at about 10 gallons of overflow I think. But that's if you do a new overflow which is really cheap and easy. The overflow midway could cause about 40 gallons of overflow give or take. If I'm not mistaken.there's a lot of factors. Marine land makes nice tanks for saltwater, but I get scared thinking of those overflows lol. All you'd need is some acrylic or glass and some caulking.

 

You need to install a standpipe such as a Durso or Stockman in the overflow, this way it will never drain below the top of the standpipe. For the returns, you place the outlet slightly below the surface so with a very slight, easily calculated, amout of backsiphonage the outlet or nozzle is exposed to atmosphere and you have an air gap, the best method of backflow prevention there is.

 

thanks, lol I forgot about stand pipes. go that route +1.
but still make sure your sump will accommodate the excess, which shouldnt be much with the right high of stand pipe!