power outages

[jcarroll]

Anyone have a trick they use to keep the wet/dry filter from overflowing during an unexpected power outage? I've been lucky enough to be home for all of them so far so I run over and unplug the filter, but it looks as if it would overflow if I weren't here to stop it.

 

[turningtim]

Calculate what will come out of the MT and leave enough room for the water in the W/D. If you don't already have them try drilling some small holes in the returns just below the water line in the MT. This will break the siphon almost instantly when the power goes out. That way you only have to acount for the over flow equalizing and the water in the returns.
HTH
Tim

 

[jcarroll]

Great idea on the return valve, never thought about that.
Actually, come to think of it, I must be a complete wet/dry idiot because I totally remember that at one point I noticed a hole there, but didn't like it because I must not have had my water level high enough and it kept splashing all over the lights and wall behind the aquarium, so I covered it with duct tape!!!!!!! Oh well....live and learn!!! Now it's off and I shut the water off to make sure it would be cool.
Thanks for the help

 

[jcarroll]

I meant that I shut the power of the aquarium off so I could make sure it will be okay during a power outage.

 

[turningtim]

It works well but make sure to keep them clear. Aglea and goobers tend to collect in there. Just check when doing water changes.....

 

[murph]

If the return pump(s) are plumbed back to the DT with PVC you can use PVC check valves.

 

[gtiguy]

PVC check valves would work but in my experience they failed on me after timeless practice runs so i took it out and have thus made it very simple for power outages....leave the pvc elbow(return water back into tank) near the surface helps with surface agitation and water flow so the minute the water and air meet the syphon is broken...min water into sump as well....question though for experts:
Using 1" clear tubing from my sump pump to tank (end of tube is mounted with a pvc elbow) as a flow director....can i put a pin hole in the tube like mentioned above to help break the surface syphon earlier.....???

 

[jcarroll]

It worked for me. As soon as the water level reached the hole, which was basically just below the surface of the water to begin with, and the overflow box that sits in the tank was above the water's surface also, no more water came in to the filter. It only filled it maybe about halfway or so.