Overflow question...

Hi all,

I am very new to this and I'm trying to understand the overflow/sump system.
My question is in a non-drilled tank if the overflow looses siphon, will the
return pump 1) overflow the display tank and 2) will the pump burn out
running dry once the baffled sump space runs out of water?

Thanks for any clarifications. These might be silly questions and if so I
apologize in advance, but I was just trying to figure this out on my own and
not sure of what safeguards might be there.

Sincerely,

Steve

"SA" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I am very new to this and I'm trying to understand the overflow/sump
system.
My question is in a non-drilled tank if the overflow looses siphon, will
the
return pump 1) overflow the display tank and 2) will the pump burn out
running dry once the baffled sump space runs out of water?

Thanks for any clarifications. These might be silly questions and if so I
apologize in advance, but I was just trying to figure this out on my own
and
not sure of what safeguards might be there.

Sincerely,

Steve



Hi Steve, if your overflow is properly designed, it will not lose syphon
without being pulled out of the water.
However, the overflow box can sometime be blocked or obstructed which is why
most people try to size their return portion of the sump small enough so
that you will not overflow the main tank.
The only thing that would stop your pump from burning out is if you had a
float switch installed to shut it off in the event your sump got too low.
I'm sure someone else can comment on this further =)

my .02
YMMV

~Mort

"SA" wrote in message
...
| Hi all,
|
| I am very new to this and I'm trying to understand the
overflow/sump system.
| My question is in a non-drilled tank if the overflow looses siphon,
will the
| return pump 1) overflow the display tank and 2) will the pump burn
out
| running dry once the baffled sump space runs out of water?
|

In short, yes, it can over flow the display tank. The best plan is
to make seperate sections in the sump, with the use of bulkheads so
that the volume of water in the return pump section isn't any more
than the display tank will hold. In addition, a float switch will
shut off the return pump if the water in the return section drops too
low, saving your pump. Keep the overflow box adjusted to that the
water line when everything is running is *just* above the frame of
the tank. Keep the water in the sump low enough to hold extra water
in case the return pump dies or the power goes out, too.

http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html
Great site.

hth

billy


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Mort and Billy,

Thank you for your responses.

Based on common sense I had a feeling that that's what's going to happen.
Thanks for clarifying it and the float switch that is a great idea.
Something I had not thought of. Do they sell switches specifically for such
function or do I have to go DIY?

Again guys thanks a lot.

Steve



"Billy" wrote in message
...


"SA" wrote in message
...
| Hi all,
|
| I am very new to this and I'm trying to understand the
overflow/sump system.
| My question is in a non-drilled tank if the overflow looses siphon,
will the
| return pump 1) overflow the display tank and 2) will the pump burn
out
| running dry once the baffled sump space runs out of water?
|

In short, yes, it can over flow the display tank. The best plan is
to make seperate sections in the sump, with the use of bulkheads so
that the volume of water in the return pump section isn't any more
than the display tank will hold. In addition, a float switch will
shut off the return pump if the water in the return section drops too
low, saving your pump. Keep the overflow box adjusted to that the
water line when everything is running is *just* above the frame of
the tank. Keep the water in the sump low enough to hold extra water
in case the return pump dies or the power goes out, too.

http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html
Great site.

hth

billy


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Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.769 / Virus Database: 516 - Release Date: 9/24/2004

"SA" wrote in message
news | Do they sell switches specifically for such
| function or do I have to go DIY?
|

Yes, you can buy them commercially.

http://www.grainger.com/
Search for "float switches"

http://www.floatswitches.net/floatswitch.html

http://aquadevices.50megs.com/



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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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| Do they sell switches specifically for such
| function or do I have to go DIY?

http://www.mcmaster.com/

~John