water overflow catastrophy avoidance...

[Blizz]

What is the most common method being used to prevent an overflow of your main show tank. I am quite concerned with the prospect of loosing the prime on my overflow box and having the return pump from my sump dumping another 5 or 10 gallons in my main tank with nowhere to go but the floor.

As it sits presently,, the intake of the return pump is 2 inches below the water level of the sump but this could still pose a problem..

Any thoughts??

blizz

 

[twilliard]

Use an overflow that incorporates the aqualifter.
Switch the tubing with black tubing to help with algae growth

 

[BluewaterLa]

What is the most common method being used to prevent an overflow of your main show tank. I am quite concerned with the prospect of loosing the prime on my overflow box and having the return pump from my sump dumping another 5 or 10 gallons in my main tank with nowhere to go but the floor.

As it sits presently,, the intake of the return pump is 2 inches below the water level of the sump but this could still pose a problem..

Any thoughts??

blizz

So basically you are worried about the tank not draining due to siphon loss and the return pump draining the sump possibly over filling your display tank. If this is correct then this may help you.

You should never have more water in the system than the sump can hold during a power loss. One way drain check valves can be used on return pipes or hoses. And the level of your return nozzles shouldn't be too deep so they don't continue to siphon water from the display to the sump until exposed to air. If you can't get them shallow enough then use a small drill bit and drill a small hole at the water line angled slightly downward.
This hole will break the siphon immediately.

So with a hang on the back siphon overflow you shouldn't have more water in the sump than what the display tank can handle in the event of siphon loss. A good thing to do is test it by purposely breaking the siphon and let the return pump run. Just have another person there with a hand on the power cord ready to cut the power if it starts to get to close and over flow or pump starts to run dry.

Does this make sense?
Really hope this can help you feel more comfortable after testing it out and adjusting the water level if you can.

 

[Blizz]

I have a 40 gal. sump that is probably 1/2 full + or -. In my main display, which is 75 gal.. the water level is probably 1 1/2 inches from the top of the tank. It must be maintained at that level for proper overflow box operation... My concern is should I loose the prime for any reason in the overflow box, my return pump would continue to operate and overflow my main tank in less then 15 seconds ( probably as little as 2-3 gallons of additional sump water) would easily do it..

I don't think adjusting the water level at the sump is an option due to the characteristics of the baffle system within the sump.

Hope I'm making sense here...

Blizz

 

[KorL]

if possible, IMO I would ditch the hang on overflow box and add a built in overflow or get a different tank. then make sure the sump is large enough to to contain all the water in case of power/device failure.

 

[Blizz]

the sump is not the problem,,, I need a shutdown sensor for my return pump if the level gets too either too high in the main display tank or too low in the sump.. I can't be the only person with this type of setup...

Blizz

 

[rock_lobster]

you should never have enough water in your sump to overflow the main tank even if the siphon breaks. Same in the reverse your main tank should never overflow your sump. Have the overflow adjusted to where it can only siphon off about an inch from your main tank and same for the sump.

 

[KorL]

you can get a controller like apex or reefkeeper for example and set up a float valve shut off sensor. also I think reef octopus sells a shut off valve device intended for protein skimmers, but probably can be used for your return pump.

 

[Blizz]

That is how it is setup now only taking about an inch... the problem is in a refugium sump there is probably 20 gallons of water that is circulated back into the main display tank. This is a common practice I'm sure so I would like to address this potential overflow issue before I have a problem.

 

[Blizz]

apex or reefkeeper controller with a float sensor is exactly what I need...

Thanks KroL Now I just have to find one... LOL

blizz

 

[twilliard]

I have a 40 gal. sump that is probably 1/2 full + or -. In my main display, which is 75 gal.. the water level is probably 1 1/2 inches from the top of the tank. It must be maintained at that level for proper overflow box operation... My concern is should I loose the prime for any reason in the overflow box, my return pump would continue to operate and overflow my main tank in less then 15 seconds ( probably as little as 2-3 gallons of additional sump water) would easily do it..

I don't think adjusting the water level at the sump is an option due to the characteristics of the baffle system within the sump.

Hope I'm making sense here...

Blizz

The loss of overflow prime will be handled by the aqualifter

 

[KorL]

I disagree. if you did a poll on here, on how many hobbyists use hang on overflow boxes. I'm sure it would only be a very small percentage.

not saying you're way is wrong, but I think if you rely on an air pump or sensor to prevent a flood. you leave that chance for a flood to be out there.

 

[Blizz]

Hi Twilliard thanks for your reply....
Actually thanks to everyone for your replies...

I have a CPR overflow box with the Aqualifter in place... I am just concerned and looking for a backup... If I were away and the Aqualift takes a crap, which they have been know to do,, I could be screwed to put it bluntly... LOL

Blizz

 

[BluewaterLa]

Usually speaking of return pumps in sumps, the pump is in the last section of the sump that contains the least amount of water only an inch or three to cover the pump.
If the siphon breaks the sump should run dry in that section causing your pump to cavitate and possibly burn up.
This is why I suggested the small drilled holes in the returns to break the siphon back flow to the sump from returns in the tank.
I don't know your sump design but I cant imagine it overflowing the tank unless there is too much water in there to begin with.
Just picking through trying to understand here as you are the one who knows your system set up better than I do for obvious reasons

 

[Blizz]

Hi Blue water,,,, I just check and I think your on to something... When I looked into the last chamber of my sump,,, there is a grid at the top of the next to last baffle. This baffle has slits at the top and would automatically stop the flow from the rest of the sump from ever reaching the return pump... I'll have to fill this chamber to the return pump pickup level and see what happens.. I can't see more than a gallon or two getting into this compartment before that compartment would run dry... I think you have given me some hope here on an easy fix which can be adjusted with the height of the return pump pickup.

blizz

 

[ngvu1]

I would have the main pump connected to an outlet that cuts the power to the pump if the water level is raising about a marked level. Better if you have a device that send you notification when this happens....Use a double float switch just to be sure

 

[rock_lobster]

That is how it is setup now only taking about an inch... the problem is in a refugium sump there is probably 20 gallons of water that is circulated back into the main display tank. This is a common practice I'm sure so I would like to address this potential overflow issue before I have a problem.

You need to section off your pump... You surely dont want it to be able to pump 20 gallons into the display if the cycle breaks. If you dont have your refugium sectioned off already then you will need to buy a tupperware that is about 3-4 inches shorter than your refugium so that it will prevent the entire thing from draining into your display.

 

[Blizz]

A backup is definitely a good idea... I feel pretty stupid now that I see the last chamber in the refugium is the limiting factor as to what gets pumped back into the main tank... I was looking at the entire sump and looked passed the fact that this last chamber was the limiting factor in the whole process...

 

[BluewaterLa]

A backup is definitely a good idea... I feel pretty stupid now that I see the last chamber in the refugium is the limiting factor as to what gets pumped back into the main tank... I was looking at the entire sump and looked passed the fact that this last chamber was the limiting factor in the whole process...

Nah man don't feel stupid, we all have those moments in life.
Consider it an early senior citizen moment have a laugh and move on
Glad to have been able to shine some light on your situation and be apart of helping you get the grand scheme.
Good luck and happy reefing.