Ways To Keep Constant Sump Water Levels? SO Frustrated!!! Overflowing!!!

[rastaangel]

So what I am trying to do is keep a constant safe flow threw my system and prevent overflow so I have 2 questions.
I know if is impossible to perfectly match pumping GPH with 2 pumps to keep the same amount of water in my sump at all times...
So I thought I would buy a valve and put it in the fill line and try to match the flow of the return pump...
1. After 2 days I am pretty freakin frustrated with messing around with it to try and perfectly match the pumps so the water level in my sump stays the same at all times... Is there any other way to keep the water level stead and prevent overflowing? Maybe some sort of a float DIY?
2. Another concern is is there any way to prevent a pump for self syphoning tank water and overflowing my sump? Cuz as soon as I cut the power to my supply pump it keeps syphoning water from my tank which would cause an over flow when the power goes out and im trying to make the system invonerable if the power ever does go out and it does alot in the winter... some sort of a electric vavle that closes when the power is cut would be cool...

 

[2quills]

I don't understand the 2 pumps...why and where are you using both of these pumps? I understand the return pump from the sump to the tank but what is the second pump?

 

[geoj]

Here is a siphon brake the return line that comes from the sump has a hole drilled in it at or just below the waterline so when the water is sucked out it starts to suck air and stops the siphon.
Attachment 245259

 

[geoj]

You use one pump for the hole job it is in the sump and pumps water out of the sump into the tank. You need some type of overflow in the tank it will take the water that would rise and flood the tank and overflow it by gravity down to the sump.
Attachment 245260
There are two types of overflows drilled and not drilled, I like the drilled type the water will always flow through it as long as it can take the flow.

 

[geoj]

Attachment 245261

 

[rastaangel]

I bought 2 pumps. 1 as a return from my refugium/sump, 1 to fill the sump/refuguim. The original plan was to make a system unaffected by power outages so when the power goes out all water flow stops every where and nothing can overflow.
I did not know that the pump that was in the tank filling the sump would create a siphon and keep flowing water even after the power was cut, which will cause a overflow if I dont stop it.
I am worried about the sump overflowing not the tank because as soon as power is cut the return pump stops but the water keeps flowing from the siphon the filling pump creates.

 

[gill again68]

You have to take in consideration the amount of water that will siphon from the tank to the sump when the electricity goes out. From that level you can then fill your sump. Those 2 levels together become the maximum level that your entire system can hold. The only way I know you could stop the water all together is with check valves and I wouldnt depend on those in a salt system.

 

[geoj]

Originally Posted by rastaangel
http:///forum/post/3295970
I did not know that the pump that was in the tank filling the sump would create a siphon and keep flowing water even after the power was cut, which will cause a overflow if I dont stop it.
I am worried about the sump overflowing not the tank because as soon as power is cut the return pump stops but the water keeps flowing from the siphon the filling pump creates.
This is why we don't pump out of the tank we use a overflow to drain water from the tank.
Here is link http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html
Post pics of your refugium/sump so we can see if you have the room to adjust the sump water volume.

 

[rastaangel]

I wish I was shown that website a week ago before I ordered 2 pumps... I realize now that I have to ditch the top pump and get a overflow box and basicly redo all my refugium set up...

 

[geoj]

And remember that when you cut the power the return and the overflow will drain to the sump so you want to keep the running volume of the sump low enough that when the power goes off the sump does not overflow.
I would use an overflow with a drilled bulkhead. It makes keeping the overflow working hassle free...

 

[rastaangel]

I have a all brass mechanical check valve that I was gonna use in my return line to prevent back siphoning.
Would it be safe to use this instead of a drilled hole siphon brake? Or would a drilled hole be better?

 

[geoj]

Originally Posted by rastaangel
http:///forum/post/3296105
I have a all brass mechanical check valve that I was gonna use in my return line to prevent back siphoning.
Would it be safe to use this instead of a drilled hole siphon brake? Or would a drilled hole be better?
The problem with the mechanical check valve is they are ran open all the time and algae or debris become stuck in them and the one time the power is cut off to the system they can stick open. So some holes drilled in the line near the water suffice will work better and can be checked more easily.

 

[posiden]

Originally Posted by rastaangel
http:///forum/post/3296105
I have a all brass mechanical check valve that I was gonna use in my return line to prevent back siphoning.
Would it be safe to use this instead of a drilled hole siphon brake? Or would a drilled hole be better?
Get the metal out of your system. That's just bad news. I could type this in all caps if it would help you to understand the importance of this message.

 

[geoj]

Originally Posted by Posiden
http:///forum/post/3296121
Get the metal out of your system. That's just bad news. I could type this in all caps if it would help you to understand the importance of this message.

I figured I would let someone else bring that up. Brass is a copper alloy and some feel too risky to use in are tanks.