Question for people with drilled tanks.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
you will need check valves on the return... is the 3 in the center a closed look system??? if so water can not go anywhere.... if the one is going to the sump you are asking for a nightmare
 
If I'm seeing your pics right your return is above your overflow hole, so I'd guess you're OK. On my tank the return has a piece of pvc on it so instead of water shooting back into the tank in a jet from the back to the front it goes about halfway and there's an elbow, so I can direct the flow up or down. If I have the elbow pointed down when my pump is off it creates a syphon so I need to turn it up so it's out of the water. Of course I could add a check valve (and may do so eventually). Basically if your return is under the water and you lose power it will drain back out until the water level drops below the return.
 
frnchjeep;1551301; said:
Well, you are right, but a hole there will shoot water at the ceiling. Remember, that tube is under pressure when the system is running. I don't have paint, so I can't show you. But, you would need to run that tube through the back of the tank via bulkhead, put a 90* elbow just off the bulkhead on the inside and run the tube straight up. Put something like this at the top.http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+10090+14680&pcatid=14680 You should have the u shape level with the surface of the water, or a little over. Drill a small hole in the BOTTOM of the U tube. That will break the syphon when the pump is shut off.

Also, you wont need the big u in the plumbing behind the tank, either. You will be able to just go up and in.
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Yes assuming you have a high volume pump. Otherwise the water would much rather travel back to the tank. Its a nowhere near perfect design but it would allow him to use his outputs safley and not add plumbing to the inside of the tank
 
Wow thanks for all of the help! I have done some more research and I think it will be ok so I am getting ready to fill the tank. But, I am only going to fill it over the first bottom hole not turn anything on and if it fills my sump up then I will know I have a problem. The two outer holes are directly hooked up to of pump for circulation, the only way this will cause a problem is if some how the pump will let the water out instead of holding it in the tubing. I guess we will see. :( I will post in a little bit and let you guys know what happens. Keep your fingers crossed.:confused:
 
JamieC77;1553859; said:
Wow thanks for all of the help! I have done some more research and I think it will be ok so I am getting ready to fill the tank. But, I am only going to fill it over the first bottom hole not turn anything on and if it fills my sump up then I will know I have a problem. The two outer holes are directly hooked up to of pump for circulation, the only way this will cause a problem is if some how the pump will let the water out instead of holding it in the tubing. I guess we will see. :( I will post in a little bit and let you guys know what happens. Keep your fingers crossed.:confused:
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Oh are some of the holes for a closed loop system? If so those you will not have to worry about. Just the ones that go from the open sump to the tank...you could also just make sure your sump is large enough to hold the amount of water it normally has plus the amunt of water above the sump return hole.

Or maybe (never seen it done) you could get some kinda giant one way valve
 
Ok well that didn't work and here is why. This is a picture of one of the pumps. you can see the hose attached to the top of the pump, it is T'ed to two of the holes and is pushing out water. The white end sets in the w/d and sucks in water that is in the sump which is pumped back into the tank thought the hose. the problem is w/o the pump on the water pours out the open end. If this makes sense to anyone do you know a way to fix it? I am about to put rubber stoppers in all of the holes and just go get an over flow box! Would this be my best option?:irked:
 
As was already asked is your pump capable of running dry(out of water)? If so its easy. If you have 3 holes for circulation just hook a pipe from the intake of the pump to the lowest drilled hole and then make a pipe that splits into 2 to join up with the other 2 drilled holes from the outlet. So instead of sucking from the WD it takes water directly from the tank and then blows it straight back in. If the pump isnt capable of running dry it will never hold water when turned off.
If your pump doesnt run dry your in trouble. Like some said before you will havta either get check valves which ive never used but have heard can fail unexpectedly so it may be easiest to set up pipes running up and above the water line and then back down to your drilled holes.
 
chrisdef15;1554875; said:
As was already asked is your pump capable of running dry(out of water)? If so its easy. If you have 3 holes for circulation just hook a pipe from the intake of the pump to the lowest drilled hole and then make a pipe that splits into 2 to join up with the other 2 drilled holes from the outlet. So instead of sucking from the WD it takes water directly from the tank and then blows it straight back in. If the pump isnt capable of running dry it will never hold water when turned off.
If your pump doesnt run dry your in trouble. Like some said before you will havta either get check valves which ive never used but have heard can fail unexpectedly so it may be easiest to set up pipes running up and above the water line and then back down to your drilled holes.
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Agreed.

Here is what I would do...buy another pump and plumb it so that it uses the holes you have as a closed loop system. Some will be intake and some will be outlet. This will give your tank great flow! Then either use the highest holes for your overflow and outlet or have two new holes drilled and use these for your sump.

Or else set it up and cross your fingers.
 
Ok well you guys have to be patient with me b/c I have never had a drilled tank b4. If I would have understood a question I would have answered it. I don't know if the pump is capable of running out of water b/c I bought it used it was like a $150 pump. I am pretty sure it can, but I still need a pump to pump the water out of the w/d and back into the tank that won't back flow, that is what that pump is being used for.
 
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