I had a thought that I wanted to bounce off of the community before I try to implement. I calculated that on a standard 55gal tank, it takes ~1.3 gal of water to raise the level 1/2". If I set my overflows so that the water level is more than 1/2" from the top of the tank (still behind the top molding) and I place my pump in a 1 gal section of my sump (or simply put it on a pedestal in the sump so there is only one gallon of water above the intake) wouldn't that prevent me from overflowing if I lose my siphon.
Essentially, the sump would stop getting water, the pump would drain it's 1gal section fully and stop adding water to the tank, finally the pump would run until the thermal shut off kicked in (Siche 2.0 pump) or the pump burned itself out (far more desirable than a flood).
I realize that this would mean that I would need to keep my water levels within a 1 gallon range, but that is just normal maintenance.
This is such a simple solution that, I am surprised I haven't seen it discussed before. Is anyone doing this? If not, is there a good reason why it wouldn't work?
Essentially, the sump would stop getting water, the pump would drain it's 1gal section fully and stop adding water to the tank, finally the pump would run until the thermal shut off kicked in (Siche 2.0 pump) or the pump burned itself out (far more desirable than a flood).
I realize that this would mean that I would need to keep my water levels within a 1 gallon range, but that is just normal maintenance.
This is such a simple solution that, I am surprised I haven't seen it discussed before. Is anyone doing this? If not, is there a good reason why it wouldn't work?
