Sump questions

[Laure]

Hi

I am considering replacing my external canister filter with a DIY sump. I have been doing some reading on the web and found some designs I like. Are there anybody here with some "favourite" DIY designs? Things you actually built and it actually works well?

I have a few concerns. What if the power goes off? The return pipe will be under the normal water level of the tank, so a reverse siphon could start. I don't have too much space on the back of my tank for an overhanging overflow box. What other options do I have? My existing cannister filter extracts water (the inlet pipe) from the bottom of the tank. I am assuming that it is pretty good at sucking up small debris. Larger pieces cling to the sponge around the intake (sort of a pre-filter). An overflow box won't give me this function. I could probably still use the canister filter's inlet pipe for the DIY sump, but then what if there is a power failure? The siphon would continue and actually drain my tank into the sump and on the floor.

Regards
Lauré

[small_fry]

do a search for PVC overflow on google...you will find lots of info...

[SauRoN]

I'm guessing to have a hang on overflow your tank would need to support this?

Unless you cut glass to make it work?

[butcherman]

i made an overflow with some pvc pipes and elbows.
but if i did it again i'd use 50mm piping instead of 40mm.
here is the link to the post.
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=803

[Laure]

Holy cow! http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=503664
Rightly called the PVC pretzel!

[butcherman]

it works well your only other option is to drill the tank or spend R1000 of an overflow box. i spent about R80 making mine

[wito-zn]

Hi Laure

Why dont you make your return pipe above the water level. First of all it will make surface movemenet and it wont start a reverse siphon. Make your sump a bit bigger and make a power cut resevoir. I have a diagram of how my sump will work on this thread. Just an idea. I havent put it to the test yet but it should work
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=868

[Donovan]

If your return is below the water level just drill 2 x 5 mm holes in the return pipe just above the water level, when the pump shuts off and the water tries to flow back the holes will allow air in and this will stop the siphon!

[Zoom]

That's actually one of the best anti syphon things I've heard on a sump return pipe!

[Donovan]

That's actually one of the best anti syphon things I've heard on a sump return pipe!

Thnx :bigsmile:

[Vis]

And so obvious:D