Adanced plumbing question - overflow from sump

[Discordian]

I am planning a build. I have a small room/closet near where my tank will be. I am planning a custom sump and mixing station that fit this space. My question is can I put an overflow on the sump, which leads to a drain and in the same chamber as my ATO, such that I can add fresh saltwater to my display and have excess saltwater flow out of the sump into the overflow leading to the drain to make a simple water change solution? I can't see anything wrong with this idea but I have been able to find any examples of this and was wondering if there was a good reason for this I had not considered.

 

[CMMorgan]

In theory, it sound like a solid solution to avoid accidental flooding. That said, a plumbing diagram of what you are proposing would be helpful. Also, consider what type of drain you are going in to... is there any possibility of backflow going into the sump or blockage to cause a flood?

 

[tricky_tran]

So what will you do for an ATO for evaporation?

 

[Discordian]

In theory, it sound like a solid solution to avoid accidental flooding. That said, a plumbing diagram of what you are proposing would be helpful. Also, consider what type of drain you are going in to... is there any possibility of backflow going into the sump or blockage to cause a flood?

I will be working on a plumbing diagram... but that will take a bit of time. There is no possibility of back flow. The room is kind of odd. The previous owners used the closet as a "dog house" which is connected to the outside of out house. Immediately outside the house is a concrete area with several drains leading to the sewer which lead to the local treatment plant. The pipe to the drain would just go out the 'dog door' far enough from the house to get to the drain.

 

[Discordian]

So what will you do for an ATO for evaporation?

The ATO would feed into the same sump chamber as the overflow leading to the drain. I would set the ATO to the same level as the overflow. So water would be set t the same level.

 

[Gablami]

I did it. Post 235 on my build thread. Works great, so easy .

Large Build - Gablami’s 260 gallon Rimless SPS Build

Hopefully you labeled those bad boys. WOW I am getting a little twitchy HA LOL, I should have posted a warning with that photo. ATTN: Those with OCD tendencies may have seizures or nose bleeds.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Discordian]

I did it. Post 235 on my build thread. Works great, so easy .

Large Build - Gablami’s 260 gallon Rimless SPS Build

Hopefully you labeled those bad boys. WOW I am getting a little twitchy HA LOL, I should have posted a warning with that photo. ATTN: Those with OCD tendencies may have seizures or nose bleeds.

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks so much! This is very similar to what I was thinking. And your thoughts about not wanting to rely on a controller or other equipment is why this sounds good to me. You like this set up? If you had to do it again would you do it the same way?

 

[Gablami]

Yes I’d do it again. For my tank, I’d run a larger diameter drain pipe. I thought 1” pvc would be enough, and it works fine, but it drains a bit slower. So it takes a little longer to drain 30 gallons, than it takes to pump in. Not a big deal, cause it’s totally safe, and when I remember, I close the drain. But would be nice to have it drain fast.

 

[tricky_tran]

i get it now.. this seems to be a very good idea. the sump i got from a friend has what looks like a 2" bulkhead in the return area. i could probably use that for this idea! thanks guys