safety valve?-I made this!-3reef Forums

gerritmatton · 03-23-2008, 09:30 AM

Hello,

I wanted to know if their exists some type off inline-valve that you can put in the hose that comes from your maintank, that siphons by gravity into a lower tank, and when in case that this lower tanks breaks that the flow from the maintank stops? So than not also you maintank drains empty?

Greetings,

GM

wastemanagement · 03-23-2008, 09:37 AM

you could set up a poilit operated check valve LOL!!!!

but seriously you should have your point of suction or drain so that when the pump fails or sump cracks the water level in the display will only go down to a desired point before the syphon/drain breaks.

Tangster · 03-23-2008, 10:09 AM

[quote=gerritmatton;424399]Hello,

I wanted to know if their exists some type off inline-valve that you can put in the hose that comes from your maintank, that siphons by gravity into a lower tank, and when in case that this lower tanks breaks that the flow from the maintank stops? So than not also you maintank drains empty?

Greetings,

No sure I follow what you are saying or asking ? Seems to me that if this would have any effect on the main tanks drain system to sump and would serve as an emergency drain of some type then you have somthing plumbed wrong ?

Are you employing a Hang on back Overflow to sump from main tank ?

Jason McKenzie · 03-23-2008, 10:14 AM

If the lower tank breaks. Then the pump that is pumping water to your display will no longer be pumping water. that will stop the draining

J

gerritmatton · 03-23-2008, 10:37 AM

Thanks for your reactions. I seems I was looking for a too sophisticated solution, just choosing my point of drain higher in the displaytank should prevent further disaster.

Jason, you should review your handbooks from science-class. Even when the pump stops, as the lower end of the drain would be in open air (the tank broke) it would keep on siphoning the display tank untill the waterlevel in the displaytanks becomes lower than the upper drainpoint!

Tangster · 03-23-2008, 10:42 AM

Thanks Jason I re looked at the post and all I can say is if anyone is using a siphon to a lower tank rather then a type of controlled gravity overflow then its just a matter of time be for a flood will happen.. All I could suggest is to add a low water float switch cut off to control the pump at the desired level in the top tank and just a bit lower then the pump control switch the siphon pick up of water to the siphon fed lower tank. That way siphon breaks when the pump switch opens and then you limit the mess a bit. Any Mechanical will valve will fail in a aquarium application..

Jason McKenzie · 03-23-2008, 10:47 AM

gerritmation,
Sorry I assumed you would have a high point syphon with a drilled syphon break. It is important to ensure at a power out situation (no pumps working) that you would not drain more water than your sump could handle. I'm afraid I assumed you knew the basics.

J

Tangster · 03-23-2008, 10:59 AM

I also assumed that Jason until I re read the post from your post had me thinking what did I miss LOL Lesson's I learned from 45 plus yr of plumbing is water will seek its own level and gravity sucks ): a bad situation when its your house .. ):

wastemanagement · 03-23-2008, 11:09 AM

[quote=gerritmatton;424440] just choosing my point of drain higher in the displaytank should prevent further disaster.quote]

Keep in mind the position of your return outlet to tank aswell as this can also become a drain in a power out situation.
also it is realy only going to benifit using a check valve on the pump if your outputs are set low in the tank.