A stroke of genius!? Please read!

OK so I've been posting on here about the sump I just made and plumbed and everything and like I said before it's going really well. Then I asked about a float switch to control my return pump if I should lose the siphon for some reason (power outage, snail in the overflow, whatever). That's when it was recommended that I buy an Aqua Lifter pump.

So I looked into that (I was told it could work even without a CPR overflow, because my overflow is the kind with the u-tube). I kinda started seeing how the Aqua Lifter works and all that jazz. If I have this right, it's basically a very weak powerhead (kinda). Right? It sucks through one opening and pushes through the other. Both openings are attached to some typical thin clear tubing. The one that is attached to the "suck" opening sucks the air out of the CPR (or in my case the u-tube) to begin the siphon, and is capable of continuing to suck/expel water when the siphon is started. Do I have it correct?

And then it hit me! My powerheads, especially my skimmer pump, are capable of the same freaking thing!!!! Why couldn't I just run some of that tubing from my overflow u-tube down to my skimmer pump in my sump? That way, again, when the power comes back on it sucks the air out to restart the siphon and simply continues to suck some of the water out of the siphon as well? JUST LIKE THE AQUA LIFTER!

Am I right? Is this true? Am I a genius? Or do I have it completely wrong? I can handle the sad truth if this isn't the case ;D Be honest!

 

I haven't followed your other posts about the sump but it sounds like you've got standard U tube overflows. If this is correct they shouldn't lose syphon during a power outage. I've never had problems with mine restarting. Forgive me if I've missed something relevant...

 

Well I don't know either. I haven't faked a power outage yet to find out. I've been really busy getting the thing setup and then yesterday I had to put my apartment back together and a lot of other things. I fully plan on trying it out tonight though...but yes you're right, I have the U-tube overflow.

 

Cool, hopefully you don't have any problems. Keep an eye on the water level in the sump when you fake a power outage. The tank will drain until the water level gets down to the interior overflow box.
Check your overflows before plugging the power back in. If they are still full of water they'll take right back off once the water in the sump gets pumped back into the tank and the overflows start working again.

 

Oh...well that's bombdiggity! I did not know that! And that's even better!! Thank you - karma buddy!

 

Make sure you leave enough space in the sump to account for siphoning from the return pipe when you test it out. If not it could siphon the tank water into your sump and flood (personal experience 8))



P.S. Dont worry about it if you have a good check valve.

 

Oh yea forgot about that! I knew there was something I was forgetting. Yea I remember that like it was yesterday...

"why is the sump still filling up?" "hmm" "oh crap the return pipe is pulling syphon!" "ABORT... ABORT!!!"

Yea it's a good idea to drill a small hole in your return pipe right below the water level when everything is running normal. It only has to be a hole the size of a pencil eraser or something similar.

Good catch IBM. 8)

 

I'm dumb. I tried editing pencil eraser to pencil lead and instead I quoted myself...

 

I drilled 2 small holes just in case one gets clogged. Make sure if you drill the hole that you drill it right below the water line like kogle said. If you do it above the waterline your going to have bubbles from the water splashing down. (personal experience as well ;D , I plugged the holes with some marine stainless steel screws )

 

1st thing you should do after setting up the sump is shut it off to see what happens.some water will flow back i garanty it,so don't have the sump filled to the top.i don't think powerheads would work cause they are'nt designed to pump air if the water runs out.hopefully its like kogle said and the siphon will start right back up.