Gravity feeding upwards??

[Bassinkorea]

My tank sits against a wall with a door directly behind it. This door then leads to an indoor balcony which is where my water supply and drain is for my tank's water changes.
What I am wanting to do is have a sump on the balcony and the tank inside the living room. For this to work, I will need to somehow run my plumbing through the wall or door. If my idea will work, I will run the plumbing down from the tank, under the door then back up and into the sump (see this drawing).

Will this work since the sump is still below the main tank's water level, or will I lose too much flow??

 

[NOLAGT]

Wont work enough for the drain I think. For the return from the sump you can plumb it in loopy de loops but not the drain. There is a chance it may work...but the drain wouldnt be able to drain much...but I dont think it would at all.

 

[greenterra]

Should have no problems with it especially if your sump is as low as your drawing..

 

[gomezladdams]

Why under?Just drill a hole in the door a litle higher and put it through.Itll work your way but its always best to simplify plumbing as much as possible.

 

[NOLAGT]

water takes the path of least resistance...if it works that U in the drain will slow it down...and maybe one day make it overflow your tank. Just bust out the hole saw and go to town....

 

[Redearsunfish]

Technically it should work - but the flow will obviously be slower with the loop - I guess the return flow would need to be adjusted accordingly..

 

[Pharaoh]

It will work with no problems. As stated above, the actual flow may suffer a bit.

 

[SemperFish]

That should work but I dont know how much water pressure/flow rate youll have. Since water pressure is dependant upon depth and not volume, having your drain on the tank lower will increase your water pressure through the pipe.

 

[NOLAGT]

I wouldnt do it...if your flow is too slow you could also run the risk of getting air trapped in the drain line that cant make it past the loop and slows the drain even more. Then your pump might over flow the tank. To risky if you ask me....

why do u want to go under and not through?

 

[Bassinkorea]

Why under?Just drill a hole in the door a litle higher and put it through.Itll work your way but its always best to simplify plumbing as much as possible.

The door will still be in use, so to drill through the door is not that simple. Hmmm, I could cut a square out of the door and fix the square to the frame and fit the plumbing through the square, so that when the door opens the plumbing stays put.

Thanks for all the info and help guys