Quote:
Originally Posted by
Desertdawg http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/500#post_3317340
I've been reading this great thread and just found this post from a few days ago.
I had my output hose submerged in the tank to hold the siphon just as you described. Well let me tell you it worked way to good.
Came home to find about 20 gallons on the floor after a power outage. it took me 2 days to figure out why the DT water level was down 3 inches and it all ended up on the floor.
Power went off for 14 hours, during this time the output tube continued to suck DT water into the back side of the overflow box and down to the sump. 20 extra gallons worth... It then let the overflow siphon break so it wasn't going to start automatically again.
When the power came back on the sump pump did it's thing to empty the sump back into the DT. then it sat there sucking air for a day until I got home.
Now I just clamp off the output tube above the tank. if the power goes off the overflow siphon sometimes holds, sometimes it breaks, I don't care and the worse that happens is the sump pump sucks air until I get home. I would rather replace the pump if it gets hurt sucking air than to have 20 gallons on the floor again.
Did you have a small hole in the hose leading from the overflow? I was told that as soon as the water dropped below that hole..the siphon breaks and you would not have the situation you discribe...when the water that holds the siphon begins again it refills the tank to the right level and the overflow continues as it should..(if I understood what I have been told)
Oh and Glad to have you aboard desertdawg...I really like your ATO idea from another thread.