Elbow facing down on returns inlet

[GarrettT]

Anything wrong with putting an oversized elbow facing down on the return pump’s inlet? I’d like to have the elblow to prevent surface suction.

 

[kzenoni]

I bought a 200 gallon and it was set up like that. Not sure if needed but they drilled a 1/4 inch hole on the top of the elbow. Good luck.

 

[ying yang]

I'm having hard time imagining what you're asking as to me inlet = where water enters " in" your return pump so in your sump and " outlet" = where water exits " out" your return pipe back into display but from mention of surface agitation I believe you mean the outlet sending water back to your dt,if so then don't see problem with elbow facing down but in my opinion I want alot of surface agitation ( which I get from my powerheads ) and my return nozzle in dt is facing downwards at an angle to bottom corner of dt.
If you actually mean in sump I can't picture that at all so will disregard inlet to your return pump .

 

[Auquanut]

I suppose it won't hurt as long as the inlet isn't too close to the bottom of the sump, restricting water flow. Can't you just raise the level in the return section? If the pump is drawing air, it sounds dangerously low.

 

[Auquanut]

I bought a 200 gallon and it was set up like that. Not sure if needed but they drilled a 1/4 inch hole on the top of the elbow. Good luck.

The hole in the top of the elbow sounds like a good idea. That way, you will probably get some noise and bubbles in the DT before the water level in the return section gets low enough to damage the pump.

 

[kzenoni]

The hole in the top of the elbow sounds like a good idea. That way, you will probably get some noise and bubbles in the DT before the water level in the return section gets low enough to damage the pump.

Also keep from causing a siphon

 

[ying yang]

Also keep from causing a siphon

Ok im a plumber and heating engineer but I'm totally lost now ha ha

Edit: ok re- Read all posts and op not said whether this elbow is in dt or below in sump so think one of you thinking sump like me and the other poster I'm guessing thinking in dt if mentioning siphon ^_^

 

[GarrettT]

Wouldn't the hole at the top create a Venturi and cause micro bubbles? I like the idea though.

 

[Phlynamjax]

I have done it on my eheim pump before. I ran it for 6 years without any issue.

 

[GarrettT]

Edit: ok re- Read all posts and op not said whether this elbow is in dt or below in sump so think one of you thinking sump like me and the other poster I'm guessing thinking in dt if mentioning siphon ^_^

Elbow attached directly to the return pump itself. Elbows opening would be facing the floor. In sump.

 

[GarrettT]

If you turned the elbow facing the ceiling, then back towards the floor, would you still need the hole at the top? Assuming this was all done underwater.

 

[Auquanut]

Wouldn't the hole at the top create a Venturi and cause micro bubbles? I like the idea though.

Only when the water level in the return chamber gets low enough to suck air. I think that's kind of the point. Still don't understand why you would keep the water level in the return section that low. Picture?

 

[BZOFIQ]

Anything wrong with putting an oversized elbow facing down on the return pump’s inlet? I’d like to have the elblow to prevent surface suction.

I do it all the time as it allows water to be sucked all the way to nearly the bottom.