need to break a syphon

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by Hunt, Mar 17, 2011.

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  1. Hunt

    Hunt Flamingo Tongue

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    Eaton, Indiana
    hey everyone, i have a quick question for you, i finally got my new tank up and running, and i need a way to break the syphon from my return pump when i turn it off, or the power goes out. i was shutting it down when i went to work, but i have left it on for the past week or so and i am always scared that when i get home my floor will be soaked. it is a 1" return pipe with the pump rated at 2400 gph, it is a little less, i have it turned down some. i thought about drilling a hole at the water level, but i dont know what size it should be? i am sure ill leak a little water out it if i do but that should be fine, it is over my over flow. i just dont want it to be spraying out.. i thought about letting it go down to the return tube to break it, but that is to much water. the tube is at the top of the tank but the tank itself is 8' long so even an inch of water is a lot of volume.. my sump is about 40 gal. any body have any ideas for me .. thanks for your help
     
    Hunt, Mar 17, 2011
    Hunt, Mar 17, 2011
    #1

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  2. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    I found 3/16" works best for me, I have 2 holes drilled opposite of each other.
     
    2in10, Mar 17, 2011
    2in10, Mar 17, 2011
    #2
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  3. Hunt

    Hunt Flamingo Tongue

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    wow that was really quick!! do you have much spilling out of the holes when it is running?
     
    Hunt, Mar 17, 2011
    Hunt, Mar 17, 2011
    #3
  4. twelvebeer

    twelvebeer Spaghetti Worm

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    twelvebeer, Mar 17, 2011
    twelvebeer, Mar 17, 2011
    #4
  5. M-Ocean Man

    M-Ocean Man Flame Angel

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    Other option:

    Keep the return nozzles close to the surface - if they are no more than 1/2" below the surface - most likely they will not cause syphon issues.
     
    M-Ocean Man, Mar 17, 2011
    M-Ocean Man, Mar 17, 2011
    #5
  6. link248

    link248 Ritteri Anemone

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    you beat me to it twelvebeer
     
    link248, Mar 17, 2011
    link248, Mar 17, 2011
    #6

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  7. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Some but not all that much.
     
    2in10, Mar 17, 2011
    2in10, Mar 17, 2011
    #7
  8. macon77

    macon77 Fire Worm

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    bingo!!!
     
    macon77, Mar 17, 2011
    macon77, Mar 17, 2011
    #8
  9. AZDesertRat

    AZDesertRat Giant Squid

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    Drilled holes are a false sense of security and can and will still fail. All it takes is a snail, wandering anemone, a bit of algae, some food etc and you are done for.

    Keep your returns close to the surface and only a small, very easily calculated amount of water an possibly siphon back before you break the surface and cause an air gap. Water cannot jump up hill so it is the only positive foolproof method of backsiphon or backflow control.

    In my case I have a 100G display and my returns are 3/4" below the surface so I get a maximum of 3.5 gallons back down to my sump before the siphon breaks.LxWx.75/231. It works and works well.
     
    AZDesertRat, Mar 18, 2011
    AZDesertRat, Mar 18, 2011
    #9
  10. vankirk

    vankirk Sea Dragon

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    I agree with RAT 100% :thumb_up: K.I.S.S. Keep It Simply Stupid lol is the best way
     
    vankirk, Mar 18, 2011
    vankirk, Mar 18, 2011
    #10