Question on drilled sump filter overflow

[macca]

Hey guys. I'm upgrading to a sump filter for my next setup with a drilled overflow in the tank.

My question is, I would like to connect a stem to the overflow so it pulls detritus up from the substrate and as a fail-safe, would a hole in the stem below the water surface stop the syphon so it doesn't drain the tank in the event the sump pump fails?

Interested on your thoughts. Pros & cons. Thanks.

 

[matsungit]

I guess it's possible if you encapsulate the overflow box inside an outer box. The inner box which has a low rI'm (or grate) will dictate the water level and prevent siphoning. The outer box should have a high rI'm and you can have that take water from the substrate. You can run a pipe all the way down to the substrate, or you can make this box cover the entire wall and have intake grates at the bottom. If the port at the substrate clogs for any reason, water will flow through the top of the outer box and into the inner box.

 

[macca]

Hey matsungit. Long time no see.

Thanks for the input, however, I'm not overflow/sump savvy so I'm looking at a simple, straight plumping through the fish tank glass, straight down into the sump filter. Durso pipe but no box. Will that work?

 

[matsungit]

Hey matsungit. Long time no see.

Thanks for the input, however, I'm not overflow/sump savvy so I'm looking at a simple, straight plumping through the fish tank glass, straight down into the sump filter. Durso pipe but no box. Will that work?

hahaha I know right? Unfortunately if you don't install an overflow box it will likely siphon.

 

[macca]

I'm assuming you meant 'not' syphon!? Anywho... Will chuck a box on

 

[KDS]

I doubt it will work because the durso isn't a syphon. It is an overflow that mixes air and water. Also, why take detritus to the sump? You will just have a mess to clean later that would have been better removed by an occasional gravel syphon during water change. There are other overflow setups that are a true syphon, but I wouldn't mess with those to do what you want. You would just end up with an overflowing tank and water on the floor imo.

 

[Jsigmo]

If I'm envisioning what you first described correctly, I think it will work. But you have to make sure your siphon-stopper hole doesn't clog up, or you lose your safety. And, the siphon-stopper will short circuit things to some extent, drawing some water from that upper level all of the time.

We need to draw pictures to make sure we're on the same page.

 

[macca]

That's exactly it. I tried it with a 16/22 hose and although the hole was fairly small it stopped the siphon immediately and I agree I would have to check the hole regularly which will be part of routine maintenance anyway.

 

[macca]

I was thinking a durso standpipe at the back of the tank with the 90' elbow in the tank and a stem from that elbow to the substrate. I don't see how it's any different seeing that the elbow with or without the stem will be below the water line and the hole on the stem below the water line will break the syphon from the substrate as the water level drops.

Just an idea for a secondary overflow to help with detritus from the substrate (sand) as my next tank will be 3 foot high will be a pain to vacuum regularly.