Over the tank overflow for sump

[patryuji]

Who have built this type of overflow for sumps? Or who are using this type even if you didn't build it yourself?

Have you had any problems with loss of water flow and breaking of the closed central tubing that carries water over the tank wall? Has anyone devised a very large one way valve to prevent too much air from entering if the siphon breaks?

I'd like to experiment with this as it would be much easier than to risk compromising my tank structural integrity for a simple experiment to see how well it works with freshwater tanks. More volume of water = better for the fishies even if they don't get more swimming area.

 

[Brad]

DIY overflow...

You're a brave soul. The only advice I have is to take a page from CPR and run an airline from the top of the siphon to a powerhead. The powerhead creates a constant suction on the top of the siphon that removes any accumulation of air in the siphon. RVT designed powerheads generate more suction.

It's not the big gulp of air that kills a siphon, its the accumulation of lots and lots of small little bubbles that build up inside the siphon and eventually cause it to lose flow.

The siphon simply can't fail. If it does, you'll have a flood real quick.

You might also consider a float switch in the system somewhere that could detect a siphon failure condition and kill the return pump fast enough to prevent flooding.

I'm with you....I didn't want to drill my tank (let alone drain it, in order to drill it). I went with a CPR overflow and have had no problems with it.