Quick help on Sump/Fuge

wokring on my 20L gallon sump/fuge. Please let me on my 3rd baffle, the first baffel is set at 9in and the 3rd is set at 9in as well. My concern is flooding when power goes out. My tank is a 90 gallon with internal overflow with mag 9 return pump. Question does my 3rd baffle need to be cut lower to like 6in to prevent flooding when the power goes out? or am i ok? See pic below.

Please help.

 

No... you won't have enough depth for your skimmer. Your return section does not have to stay at 9 and you can lower your fuge an inch or so if you want.

The best thing is to minimize how much drains back. Keep your return lines at the water level and drill a siphon break in them.

 

well sump is set up as first sectiong skimmer set at 9in. then bubble trap. I am concerned with the 3rd baffle which it is my understanding sets the water level in the middle section which would be the return pump then the refuge set at 10in. Where do I drill hoes in my return lines when i have a overflow kit?

 

The first baffle in the skimmer section sets level in the skimmer section. The return can go low.... and will go low. All your evaporation will be in your return section. You can run it where you want.

You want to drill the holes just below the water level. You want water there so it does not splash and give salt creep, but not still high enough to minimize drain back. So...1/4-1/2" below water line.

 

Usually at the inside corner of the 90 at the top of the return line. I personally like to drill the side and add a 1/4" 90 to the side so I can visually see it is not clogged up.

 

I have a 20g long sump/fugue also. Check out my 55 gal build thread for pics. I will post a pic of the siphon break in a bit.

 

Why not just add a check valve on your return? That is what I did this time around after not having a siphon break before and encountering a flood...

 

sounds like a check valve would be easiest. but people say that can get clogged? anyone have any insight? I have no idea how i would drill a hole in the elbow? would it be above or below the water line?

 

Below water line...my check valve is clear so I can monitor it. But there should be nothing going thru your pump that would make it clog.

 

Check valves fail, then you have a flood. Siphon breaks work fine. all you have to do is make sure they stay free. Don't drill it tiny. Make it like 1/8".... and then minimize the damage that can be done by leaving your returns up high by the top of the water. Don't sink them straight down into the tank.

I drilled mine pointing back to the tank and I could always see the ripple against the wall and know they were not clogged.