where to put siphon break holes.

grubsnaek

grubsnaek

Active Member
i am starting to do my plumbing on my newly drilled tank. i did not drill bulkheads for a return. so my return will come back from the sump up over the back or tank.i will be having my return from my Mag18 come up to top of tank to a "T". the pipeing will be 1". off of the "T" i will reduce to 3/4" for Loc-Lines. my question is where should i drill the siphon breaks.
even if i still drill the holes, correct me if im wrong with the loc lines being in the water. wont it just keep draining till the water is below the loc lines. or does it stop cause of the holes.
very very confused. my last setup was eaiser with this cause i just used pvc elbows for the returns not loc lines.
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
The whole point of siphon breaks is to introduce air into the line to break the siphon.
Your assumption is correct, if the hole is below the water line, then the siphon will continue until either the end of the loc line (nozzle) is exposed or the siphon break, whichever comes first.
You want them very close to the water line. Some believe below so it doesn't splash on the surface, but I prefer above because that gives an easy visual indication of whether or not the holes have clogged. If the holes clog, even partially, it can slow down the air enough to prevent the siphon from breaking, so you want them to run free and clear.
 
trippkid

trippkid

Active Member
grubsnaek said:
alright i got ya, ill do it almost at the water level but a tad higher. sound good[/QUOTE
Just make sure the hole is pointed in a direction not to shoot water all over the place, usually on the side is good.
Matt
Click to expand...
 
grubsnaek

grubsnaek

Active Member
sorry may be stupid to ask but sometimes in need black and white results.
so if im getting this right i should be able to drill a hole at or near the surface and with the loc lines nozzles still underwater it will stop back siphon.
what size hole is good.
 
trippkid

trippkid

Active Member
I'd do either 1/8 or 1/4 or something in between. The smaller the hole, the more likely it can clog though. I know I maybe late, if you have any questions please ask. Looking very nice so far, and I'm glad you feel good about your accomplishment, hope it all goes smoothly when you fill it(fingers crossed).

Matt
 
grubsnaek

grubsnaek

Active Member
trippkid guess you saw my diary thread, it came out real good i think. yeah the water test will be the big to do after work tomorrow. but all is well so far.
 
zman1

zman1

Active Member
I have had one actually act as a venturi and started to draw in air and spray micro bubbles when it was above the water line. I did this on lock line and evenually took the single section out that the hole I drilled. Now this has never been an issue with the factory Megaflow return the hole is above the water line that sprays down from the 90, only issue with it is clogging. Both above and below the water line can work, but I did have an issue with one above the water line.
 
johnbob

johnbob

Member
I had the same problem that zman just described. I drilled my holes above the water line and it caused bubbles.
 
luke01

luke01

Member
Go turn only your pump off and watch your overflow or whatever syphons. When you get to a mark where you want you waterlefel mark it and drill a 1/4 inch hole. i have 3 inches left in my wet and dry just in case. Just make sure you dont have 2 or multiple syphons.
 
trippkid

trippkid

Active Member
Originally Posted by grubsnaek
trippkid guess you saw my diary thread, it came out real good i think. yeah the water test will be the big to do after work tomorrow. but all is well so far.
Rock on, I agree with the other poster's too, you may have to fine tune things later, I think as long as the holes are drilled in the PVC portion and not the Loc-Lines themselves, it shouldn't act as a venturi, I may be wrong, just make sure they are spaying water all the time(keep clean).

Matt
 
trippkid

trippkid

Active Member
Probably in the white PVC adapters, close as possible to the water line. Maybe try and angle the hole slightly towards the water. Hope this helps, I'm going to bed, can probably help in morn if not sure.
Matt
 
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