How to Prevent Flooding During Power Outage?

[Kasey Grohowski]

Wondering about how to prevent a flood during an outage. I have a 260 gallon system that will be plumbed in a few days, and I have had 2 power outages in the last 2 months. This is not typical, but still can happen. So how do I prevent flooding and also how long can my power be out without harming my tank/fish? Thank you.

 

[Retro Reefer]

It’s mostly about having a sump that will be large enough to hold the water that drains from tank when pump stops. Your fish will be fine for several hours but you will need to provide oxygen and a way of keeping your tanks temperature stable if it’s a extended outage.

 

[NS Mike D]

two things with plumbing that will limit the back flow are (1) installing a check valve, and (2) putting a small hole in the return pipe/fitting inside DT nearer the surface so that the airlock will break sooner and stop the back flow. When the water level drops air will start flowing in the hole, breaking the airlock and thus stopping the back flow.

The hole is more reliable than a check valve.

 

[Glennc1]

two things with plumbing that will limit the back flow are (1) installing a check valve, and (2) putting a small hole in the return pipe/fitting inside DT nearer the surface so that the airlock will break sooner and stop the back flow. When the water level drops air will start flowing in the hole, breaking the airlock and thus stopping the back flow.

The hole is more reliable than a check valve.

how big should the hole be? Near the surface of tank?