Return Pump question?

Hey, I have two questions-

Firstly on my overflow should I just using normal tubing on my overflow box to transfer water to my sump? How do I keep the tubing leak free and well attached to the overflow?

2nd- on my return pump do I just use normal tubing that fits my mag 7 pump? Also what are some good ways of keeping the return tube near the surface of the water? If I have a power failure- the water will create a siphon back into my sump correct? What are some good ways of solving this problem?

Thanks alot
-AC

 

drill a hole about in the return tub about an inch under the water level this way if you lose power it will stop the siphon aka a siphon break hole

 

What do you consider "normal" tubing?
You use flex or PVC. Either way, make sure it is approved for potable use, and rinse it well before installing. If it's flex tubing, you will need to use hose clamps. If its PVC, you can use PVC cement (again make sure it's approved for potable applications) or threaded fittings.

 

Ok, I guess just flex tubing, like clear plastic tubing that you buy for 99 cents a foot or something depending on the size. Or less than that. I really don't have the equipment or ability to drill a hole in my tank. I'm not sure if my tank is temered or not but I really can't drill holes into it. Any other ways?

 

Not the tank, i ment drill a hole in the return line

 

oh gotcha, I missed that, makes more sense, i'm just trying to debate weather or not to sure pvc or tubing. the bulk head on the overflow is 1" so does that mean I use 1" pvc/ tubing? And same for the return pump?

 

Got any pictures of your setup? I hear they're worth a thousand words.

 

yup, id do pvc but thats just me

 

Pics will be helpful. I have flex tubing on the overflow that I believe came with the sump setup, it is a very tight fitting tube. The way you're describing your return tubing sounds like mine, just a buck or less a foot, clear tubing. I took my return pump to Home Depot to make sure we got the correct size and I do have a clamp on the top of the tube only, it's tight enough on the return pump so as not to require a clamp in the water, if I feel it ever does, I'll use a plastic zip tie, I use those on the tubing for my phosphate reactor. I have PVC pipe that has black adjustable pipes attached that go into the tank for the return and haven't had any siphon break problems when the power goes out.

 

Your overflow should have a bulkhead in it. You can attach either PVC or a barbed nipple to the bulkhead fitting and run it down to the sump. I use a combination of both, rigid PVC with a ball valve for isolation and maintenance (not throttling) directly off the bulkhead then into a barbed nipple and heavy reinforced clear tubing into the sump.
On the return I use the same reinforced clear tubing off the pump up to a bal valve and PVC which returns to the tank via LocLine (flexible black tubing) to the tank. In your case you would go up[ and over the back of the tank and keep itclose to the surface. NO drilled holes!!! Check valves and drilled holes fail and flood guaranteed. Keep the returns close to the surface and you never have to worry about a flood as long as you maintain that amount of freeboard or excess capacity in your sump at all times. My 100G only backsiphons 3.8 gallons maximum so its easy to make room in a sump of most any size, mine is a 30 G so 3.8 gallons is nothing.