How to prevent tank from overflowing if siphon fails?

[yogurt_21]

I have 2 overflows in my 100g with a 55g sump if the pump stops there is always enough room in the sump for the additional water until the waterlevel in the tank is below the inlet for the overflows.

conversely if the overflows fail the tank will accomodate the extra water from the sump until the pump breaks suction.

the pump is magnetically driven and has an extremely low chance of burning out due to a heat shutoff safety setting. Even so my walls, carpet, and furniture are worth much more than a 50$ pump. (you can also use a float valve on the pump but I prefer design over electronic switches.)

 

[Toddo]

Drilling your tank is the best option and not that difficult....and a drilled overflow never fails. Its the Monster solution.

 

[Danger_Chicken]

electronic float switch in the tank connected to a solenoid. It should be in the tank and not the sump since the tank water level is always the same,

One in the tank to prevent overflowing and one in the sump to prevent pump running dry.
Only 100% foolproof way to get it done.
Any other method, though they work, will still have a margin for error.

I found this weekend a float switch is NOT 100% foolproof. A bioball got loose and kept the valve for turning the water off. As a back up to the float I have a timer set to cut the water supply after so many minutes so the flood was minimal.

hook up a aqualifter to your overflow (Big Als $10). These have saved me several times. If you power goes off and your siphon breaks this will restart it when the power comes back on. I wouldn't have any non-drilled overflow without one.

 

[Amazon_Addict]

Drilling your tank is the best option and not that difficult....and a drilled overflow never fails. Its the Monster solution.

Some tanks are made of tempered glass and can not be drilled. I think almost all 55-75 gal tanks are. I seen a thread about it somewhere on here.

 

[KaiserSousay]

float switch is NOT 100% foolproof.

User caused.
Poor set up.
If you are worried about overflow enough to invest the time and money for the switches and relay, a few extra minutes spent on switch placement would seem reasonable. Depending on the set up of the sump, a “cage” could be made around the switch.

I agree with the aqua-lifter concept, but the failure rate of their diaphragms would have me looking at a powerhead instead.

You know, I don’t think I would run a system I had such little confidence in that this whole switch issue would come up.
I’ve run a sump with a number of overflow styles that got onto the tank, only after a bunch of testing.
Could something still go wrong, sure.
Did anything go wrong, no.
Like the man said, “If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster”.

 

[mgctutor]

I've never have had my overflow fail. That concern has never entered my mind. If its built right... it won't fail.

 

[K9bones]

what are some good switch's out there? to shut the pump off if the siphon does fail? I rather have a backup if it does happen to fail, but if the switch fails well at least i know i tryed to prevent my whole sump filling my tank then causing it to overflow onto the floor and end up burning my pump up. I understand a good design is less likely to fail or drilling a hole in my tank, but its tempered.

 

[sizors]

You're lazy and don't keep an eye on your sump water level

^ qft