Need help with plumbing on my sump

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Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 17, 2006
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Iowa
My sump will not stay full. When I plug the pump in, after the air is pushed out, the water level drops in the sump. I built the return pipes to the level I figured where the water level would be. It drops below and drains to where the bulk head is. Do I need to put a ball valve on there? Would I be better off to put one on the pvc pipe that flows up, or put two valves on the two that go down? It seems like I need to reduce the flow somehow just not sure how to do it.

This is what it looks like right now.

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That is an unusual setup and somethiong looks off there. I can't see whats going on underneath but It almost looks like you are pumping the water from your tank to your sump and then gravity is draining the sump? You definately don't want your sump completely full when your pump is on. The water level in your sump is supposed to lower when you turn the pump on; but not down to the bulkhead. When you turn your pump off, the water in the tank will back siphon until it gets as low as your out take pipes. With that setup, I think you will need to add another pump to your out take lines??? Someone with more knowledge will be able to help you better.
 
ok how do i vent it?
 
yes the sump is above the pond and the water is pumped to the sump from the pond
 
so with a tee there it should solve my problem? do i need just one tee or do i need one on both sides
 
ok thanks... that sounds much easier then then what i was thinking i needed to do. i thought i was going to have to use a ball valve to slow the flow. i thought by running the pipes up like that it would determine my water level in the sump. but i wasnt thinking about there being that much of a siphon.
 
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