Siphon Stopper?

[Breakthecycle2]

What does everyone think of these? Is there something that looks a little nicer out there?

http://www.customaquariums.com/c-8-siphon-stopper.aspx

 

[reef_junkie]

I think that's as nice as they get. If you DIY'ed this it would look like ( not a nice word)

 

[kschweer]

I always just keep my returns right under the surface of th water. It makes for great surface agitation and when the power goes out only a very small amount of water can siphon back before air is drawn in breaking the siphon. Anything like these or a hole drilled somewhen in the return line can be blocked by salt creep making them not work.

 

[TheEngineer]

Can't just drill a hole below the water surface?

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Can't just drill a hole below the water surface?

What do you mean?

 

[TheEngineer]

Drill a small hole in the first section that is fully under the water. When the water level gets below it, it pulls in air and breaks the siphon.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Sorry man. Not sure what you mean by "first section"?

 

[TheEngineer]

That link shows a picture of loc-line. I suppose you could be using something other than loc-line with it. I was referring to the first section of loc-line that is under the water.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

For whatever reason, Im not picturing it.

 

[TheEngineer]

Picture time! When the water gets below the "small hole" the siphon is broken.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

I have to take a picture of mine, but thats not going to work I don't think.

 

[Ebone]

what about designing system so it is not needed?

 

[Breakthecycle2]

what about designing system so it is not needed?

It should be that way.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Whay have anything at all other than a simple air gap? Once the flow stops and the level drops enough to expose the return to atmosphere the siphon breaks. No maintanance, no noise and it is the safest and simplest form of backflow prevention known to man which cannot be defeated. As long as you keep the returns slightly below the surface and you have freeboard or extra capacity in your sump to hold an additional couple of gallons it is never an issue. In my 100G reef with the returns 3/4" below the surface the extra water to the sump amounts to 3.5 gallons maximum which is easily contained in the 30G sump which normally contains around 20-22 gallons in it during operation.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Not sure what you mean? My sump holds the extra water, but sometimes it overflows because of the siphon issue.

 

[TreyC2010]

Picture time! When the water gets below the "small hole" the siphon is broken.

This works. I have this on my sump and it works fine. My tank actually came like that.

 

[TheEngineer]

The picture I provided you creates the air gap you need to stop the siphon. Show us a picture of your concern, maybe we are missing something.

 

[AZDesertRat]

If your sump overflows then your returns are too far under the surface or your sump is not large enough. Keep the returns no more than 1" below the surface or whatever works for your situation. In my case I have them 3/4" but I could go down 2 or 3 " and still have plenty of capacity in my sump.

 

[tigerdragon]

What does everyone think of these? Is there something that looks a little nicer out there?

http://www.customaquariums.com/c-8-siphon-stopper.aspx

I installed one of these on my 55 hex and it works great the only con to it is they only make it in 1/2"

 

[Breakthecycle2]

I installed one of these on my 55 hex and it works great the only con to it is they only make it in 1/2"

Yeah thats not going to work for me then. My returns are 1". I didn't even realize they only made it in 1/2".