Drip system.....in the winter?

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keepinfish

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Jun 29, 2007
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i have had drip set up on my tanks now for several months, but with fall approaching and winter close behind, i am wondering what you do with your lines that run outside?
I have my dirty water from my tank ran just outside my exterior wall. I figured once it gets below freezing it will start to freeze, and if this happens my tanks will overflow. What do you do in the winter? I don't want to go back to manual watercahnges.
 
I have also wondered this and have yet to think of a good solution. The only thing I can think is to insulate the pipe well where it comes out of the exterior wall and heat it somehow so it can't freeze. I don't know how to heat it though, maybe some sort of low voltage heat tape? Anything to just keep the pipe enough above freezing that the water won't freeze inside of it. The only other issue is what to do with the water once it's out of the pipe. It will surely freeze but will enough of it run into the ground for it not to be an issue or will there be a giant ice block after a week?
 
I'm guessing you guys don't have floor drains then. You could try something along the lines of a sump pump, where when the water gets too high it activates the pump, and then just have it go into a sink, or barrel if you don't have a sink near by.
 
You could add some heat tape to the pipe.

I have my sump pump pumping out the water. For the most part, it is underground, but there is one section that is above ground. I haven't had a problem with it freezing. that could be because the water is not continuously flowing and is typically pretty warm.
 
i was wondering it would have to get pretty cold to freeze warm moving water. i am dripping 3gph out of one and 4gph hour of the other. I was thinking of insulating the pipe too. i may look at this tape you guys are talking about.
 
The water that will come out is going to be in the mid 70's, it's going to melt any ice that will accumulate (if there's any) at the end of waste line.

Just make sure your waste line is pointed DOWN so there won't be any water accumulating in the water tube.

You only live in Kansas, not in Alaska LOL

My setup uses a fail safe solenoid, if the water level in the sump reaches a certain height, it'll activate the float switch and turn the solenoid that will STOP all incoming water drip.

I am just "cool like that" :D


Stan
 
flamenco-t;4474891; said:
The water that will come out is going to be in the mid 70's, it's going to melt any ice that will accumulate (if there's any) at the end of waste line.

Just make sure your waste line is pointed DOWN so there won't be any water accumulating in the water tube.

You only live in Kansas, not in Alaska LOL

My setup uses a fail safe solenoid, if the water level in the sump reaches a certain height, it'll activate the float switch and turn the solenoid that will STOP all incoming water drip.

I am just "cool like that" :D

My line comes out of the wall parallel with the ground. Should i put a 45* and go to the ground with it? It still gets cold we had near 0 this last winter. I really like the solenoid idea though. I am afraid that if mine DOES freeze i will FLOOD my house quick.


Stan
Click to expand...

My line comes out of the wall parallel with the ground. Should i put a 45* and go to the ground with it? It still gets cold we had near 0 this last winter. I really like the solenoid idea though. I am afraid that if mine DOES freeze i will FLOOD my house quick.
 
Can you post a pic of the outside view of the pipe exiting the house and the diameter of the pipe?

I discharge my water softener's 3/8" hose into a 1-1/4" pipe through my house wall & out into a 90* fitting with pipe buried in the ground outside sloped to a swale. This allows an air gap so the discharged water isn't in the same diameter piping & doesn't freeze the 1-1/4" pipe closed.
 
deeda;4475010; said:
Can you post a pic of the outside view of the pipe exiting the house and the diameter of the pipe?

I discharge my water softener's 3/8" hose into a 3/4" pipe through my house wall & out into a 90* fitting with pipe buried in the ground outside sloped to a swale. This allows an air gap so the discharged water isn't in the same diameter piping & doesn't freeze the 3/4" pipe closed.
Click to expand...


no picture. but imagine a 1/2" pvc going through the wall and sticking out of the exterior wall about 3-4". that is the way it currently is.
 
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