This is my first time having a tank with a sump. I was filling up my tank through my sump yesterday and it got me thinking. If a power outage occurs my tank is going to keep draining into my sump from the back over flow and start over flowing if the pump is off. So now what?!
Power outage question
- Thread starter vtnamezeboi
- Start date
I don't know what kind of overflow system you have, but if you have an overflow box, once the water level drops below the weir, the water will cease flowing to the sump. With some of the DIY overflows, strategically placed holes serve as siphon breaks. Have enough space in the sump to accommodate additional water in the sump tank until no more water is entering the overflow system. I have a wet/dry filter, and the biggest problem was to get the bioballs submerged to prevent die off of the BB. I had to add water to the main tank so it could flow into the wet/dry filter and cover the bioballs. This was OK if I was at home, but the nagging question was "what if I'm not home when the power goes off?" Peace of mind for me was getting a whole house generator that kicks on within 10 seconds of the power going out.
This is the single most reason why people are put off by sumps, outage or pump failure means flood. What a load of rubbish.
You run your sump at a level where if you do have an outage or pump failure, then your sump can easily accommodate the drain off from the display tank. If you run your sump almost full you're going to get a wet floor.
You need to do some dummy runs to establish the level your sump needs to be at. Then whenever you have to top your sump up because of evaporation, just make sure you only refill it to the level that you know won't cause an overspill problem. Most people have minimum and maximum marker levels on their sumps so they know where the running level needs to be.
If you do insist on running your sump very full then you need an emergency drain at the top of your sump so any excess water can escape that way. Send the pipe through a wall into an outside drain or something similar.
You run your sump at a level where if you do have an outage or pump failure, then your sump can easily accommodate the drain off from the display tank. If you run your sump almost full you're going to get a wet floor.
You need to do some dummy runs to establish the level your sump needs to be at. Then whenever you have to top your sump up because of evaporation, just make sure you only refill it to the level that you know won't cause an overspill problem. Most people have minimum and maximum marker levels on their sumps so they know where the running level needs to be.
If you do insist on running your sump very full then you need an emergency drain at the top of your sump so any excess water can escape that way. Send the pipe through a wall into an outside drain or something similar.
I agree with a dry run. LOL so to speak.
Fill your display tank up until it is to the overflow, then mark. or measure the level and write it down.
Next add water to your sump and turn it on.
During water changes, turn your sump off and do not fill it above the water mark and refill the sump also if necessary.
Just a thought....
Fill your display tank up until it is to the overflow, then mark. or measure the level and write it down.
Next add water to your sump and turn it on.
During water changes, turn your sump off and do not fill it above the water mark and refill the sump also if necessary.
Just a thought....