UPCOMING: Events

Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Breaking a siphon

  1. #1

    Default Breaking a siphon

    Hey All!
    Long time no post. To quote Alexwolf. "ahhhh Your alive!"
    I have setup an auto top off system in my tank and periodically have a problem with a siphon effect beginning. This has caused a couple of close calls in my system but, what is the best way to create a siphon break?
    Again just to clarify the situation.
    I have a resevoir that is fed by my ro/di and controlled by my Kent auto top off float kit.
    Once my float switch in my sump indicates more top off water is needed a pump in the freshwater resevoir is activated and water is pumped. A redundant float switch prevents overflows.
    The problem occurs when the siphon allows more water into the sump than is necessary. This is out of the float switches control in the sump and if not caught in time can cause an overflow or worse turn my tank into a freshwater setup. Thanks in advance!
    George O. 110 Reef,2x250 watt 20k XMi MH\'s,2 x 110 watt vho actinic ,40 gallon custom sump w fuge;
    \"call it\"

  2. #2

    Default RE: Breaking a siphon

    If Im reading this right is it the remainder of water in the tube after its shut off?

    If so lower the float valve so that when it shuts off then the remaining water will fill it to the desired level.
    ::Pete::

  3. #3
    Join Date
    01-23-2003
    Location
    Windcrest
    Posts
    802

    Default RE: Breaking a siphon

    is the water coming out of the second float switch.

    Okay, maybe I should ask this question first. Are they float valves or float switches that control an electronic valve or pump.

    If you use a pump to fill your sump, you will need to lower your water tank/resevoir so water is can not flow freely thru the pump once it is shut off.
    Henry Moncada

    "Courage is fear that has said its prayers"

  4. #4
    Join Date
    05-14-2003
    Location
    San Antonio, 281/1604 area
    Posts
    3,484

    Default

    Why didn't you just run the ro/di line and kent float valve directly to the sump and let it the float valve kick it off instead. That's what I'm doing to mine is straight to the sump to the level I want.

    I don't trust electronic devices for cases like top offs, too many go bad and cause major problems. Here's a question for you.
    How many times in the past year have you had even minor little power outages?
    Now how many times in the past year has your toilet overflowed?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    02-23-2003
    Location
    San Antonio (NW)
    Posts
    115

    Default RE: breaking a siphon

    Can you run the line from your topoff pump so that it empties into the overflow or into the main tank (above the water level of your topoff reservoir)? I run the line from my topoff pump into my overflow.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    05-14-2003
    Location
    San Antonio, 281/1604 area
    Posts
    3,484

    Default RE: breaking a siphon

    Not sure how you have your line coming out of the reservoirso here's best I can think of. You can poke a hole into the line out where the water will spray out the side and still into the reservoir or the sump whichever would work better. Make sure the hole is above the water level, this will break the vacuum once the filling is done, may take little longer due to the loss out the hole but not much.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    10-17-2002
    Location
    Cedar Park TX
    Posts
    3,152

    Default RE: breaking a siphon

    Put the return line up into your overflow or tank.
    Tim Marvin
    (512) 336-7258

  8. #8
    Join Date
    01-23-2003
    Location
    Windcrest
    Posts
    802

    Default RE: breaking a siphon

    another vote for putting line into overflow
    Henry Moncada

    "Courage is fear that has said its prayers"

  9. #9

    Default breaking a siphon

    Thanks guys for the input.
    George O. 110 Reef,2x250 watt 20k XMi MH\'s,2 x 110 watt vho actinic ,40 gallon custom sump w fuge;
    \"call it\"

  10. #10
    Join Date
    11-04-2003
    Location
    south west san antonio
    Posts
    419

    Default RE: breaking a siphon

    your reserviour needs to be hiogher than the auto top off, that way it gravity feeds to sump and the kent valve shuts off the water with no problems i have done it this way with a trashcan for 2-3 yeaars with no problems
    175 bowfront

Similar Threads

  1. How much flow through siphon overflow?
    By bprewit in forum Equipment & Do It Yourself
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: Thu, 13th Jan 2005, 08:49 PM
  2. Thinking of breaking my reef down - here's why.
    By MikeP in forum General Reefkeeping Discussion
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: Fri, 4th Jun 2004, 03:17 PM
  3. Brittle Star is breaking?
    By texasranchers in forum General Reefkeeping Discussion
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: Thu, 6th May 2004, 12:32 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •