overflow prefilter qoestion

[freshwater]

The way I understand oveflow siphon prefilter works is that it need to setup just below the water level in the tank so the water just enter the box. (how low you can setup from the water level not to flood the intake box)

My problem is if i am out for vacation and my tank level drops below the box level then it will not siphon any water to the sump, which means disaster for the sump and pump.

Also I am not using top off i just put 1/2 -1 gallon of water every other day for evoapration.

How you all take care of this kind of problem.

Thanks.

 

[Max Power]

when water evaporates, your sump level drops and the main tank stays the same. You just need to make sure your sump level will stay above the pump intake.

 

[Max Power]

when water evaporates, your sump level drops and the main tank stays the same. You just need to make sure your sump level will stay above the pump intake.

 

[Max Power]

when water evaporates, your sump level drops and the main tank stays the same. You just need to make sure your sump level will stay above the pump intake.

 

[freshwater]

Max, so you are saying the sump in a way act as a topoff, which make sense. good idea.

If I have a protien skimmer in the sump how that works.

It intake the water from the sump and where the output water goes into the sump again or it is hooked to the tank thru a tube?

 

[LA-Lawman]

here is the breakdown.

the sump pumps water into your tank at a given rate. This causes your tank to overflow. The overflow box carries the water to your sump. Now you have a cycle.

The tank will not show any evaporation in the tank. the tank will stay constant only if you keep your sump topped-off. You will see the evap in your sump.

Now, if you have a protien skimmer in your sump that is great. The skimmer out is directed to a place in your sump that you can either trap bubbles or furtherest from your return pump. you do not ant to put bubbles into your tank. they do not look good. I have a bubble trap in my sump. the skimmer is direted to flow near the trap. then the water from the sump passes thru the trap into the pump chamber and then the water returns to my tank.

Now if the power goes off. the tank will drain to the bottom of the overflow inlet. his will stop the flow to your tank. be sure you allow enought room for the overflow to partial drain in your sump. Also if you do not have a siphon break on your return pump, you need to use a check valve. so water does not back siphon into your sump.

hope this helps

 

[freshwater]

Thanks, LA-lawman.

What do u think about this sump with skimmer

http://www.petsolutions.com./cgi-bin/cg ... 00000&l=19

 

[ZigZagZombie]

I would just buy a 20gal tank, and make that your sump. You could put your skimmer in it. I use a 20gal. and use half of it as a refugium. The other half is where my return pump is and my skimmer. It might not look as good, but it does work for alot less money....

 

[LA-Lawman]

that is a nice set-up. i would piece your own together.

1. you will learn more about the filter system and how it works for you.
2. if you plan your system with the intent you might add-on you will have all the room you need. (skimmer - place for phosphate sponges and such)

I have an oceanic sump. it is the best I have ever owned. I placed a micron filter sock in and have all the rrom i need. I have an euroreef style skimmer and heater. my bubble trap seperates and i can put carbon/phosphate/polyfilter in and not have to worry about bypass.

look into building your own. you will learn alot

hth