Help with sump set-up

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I didn't drill a siphon break, I put 2 check valves inline on my returns. Now, when I shut off the pumps, the check valves make a steady "bumping" sound, and water continues to back flow into the sump. Pretty slow, but I still don't like it.

I guess the check valves wore out or something, they don't seal right?
 
ragin_cajun said:
I didn't drill a siphon break, I put 2 check valves inline on my returns. Now, when I shut off the pumps, the check valves make a steady "bumping" sound, and water continues to back flow into the sump. Pretty slow, but I still don't like it.

I guess the check valves wore out or something, they don't seal right?
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Yeah, I'm actually not a fan of using check valves. I try to avoid using them because it's one more thing that can fail. Sounds like yours are wore out or something. Probably have gunk build up stopping them from sealing. Thats one of the problems of using them in aquariums. Bacterial slim builds up on everything
 
GoldFinger said:
So where would be the 100% optimum place and angle to drill the siphon then? Or specific fitting to use?
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Like bigfishnut said, it's really personal preference. If you want some surface agitation and don't mind a little noise then you can drill it slightly above the water line. If you want it completely silent then you want it slightly below. I will say though that if you put it below the water line the tank will still drain down to the bottom of the interior diameter of the fitting. So you can go ahead and drill it down there or anywhere in between there and the water line. For the angle, you just want to make sure the water is pointing down when exiting the hole. This is because when you restart your pumps, these shoot quite a stream and that will shoot out of your tank if not pointed down. Eventually, the water level comes up and then it doesn't matter what direction it's pointed, if it's under the water level.
 
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ragin_cajun said:
I didn't drill a siphon break, I put 2 check valves inline on my returns. Now, when I shut off the pumps, the check valves make a steady "bumping" sound, and water continues to back flow into the sump. Pretty slow, but I still don't like it.

I guess the check valves wore out or something, they don't seal right?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I don't think you can ever count on a check valve in aquarium lines. I don't see any plastic/pvc check valves being reliable for long. Also, as already mentioned, the gunk will build up on the sealing surfaces and then it won't seal, and this won't take long.

Best practice is to just make sure your sump can handle all of the backflow when the pumps are turned off.
 
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I run checks too but dont want to rely on them soley....even though they are true union and easy to clean....what happens if they get gunked up while im out of town...

ragin_cajun ragin_cajun can ypu clean them out ?
 
I use a check valve too. It seems to function, for now. But I've also since set my return loc-lines at a level to create the water surface agitation I want AND the sump will handle the backflow when the return pump is off. I'm not too concerned about fish bumping the loc-lines lower - if anything it would be to the side or up (in which case I have a glass lid).
 
Don't know, never tried to clean em.
 
What would be an ideal size aquarium to use as a sump? Is 75-90gallons too small for a 305gallon aquarium? I'm finding it hard to get a 100-120 gallon for cheap
 
GoldFinger said:
What would be an ideal size aquarium to use as a sump? Is 75-90gallons too small for a 305gallon aquarium? I'm finding it hard to get a 100-120 gallon for cheap
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I would really try to get at least a 90, but I still think a 120-125 would be better.

Where are you located?
 
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