Need advice on return value

[nemo]

I connected a 3/4 inch clear plastic hose to my pump which would return the water from my sump to the main tank. The return spout is U-shaped and hangs from the top of my tank. All is well until I shut off the pump or if there is a power outage, the water reverses flow from the main tank to my sump. If left unchecked, it will overflow my sump.

Are there any checkvalues for such an item?

Thanks all

 

[fritz]

What you need is a "siphon break."
A Siphon Break is a hole (preferably two, just in case a snail happens to be covering one of them when you need it) where air can enter your return line and break the siphon.
You can put your hole above or just below the water line, when your pump stops water will only siphon out until the level where your "siphon break" holes are. Air will rush in and break your siphon. No flood!

 

[drunktank]

check valves will eventually fail. Your best bet is to increase the volume of ur sump to handle the back drain.

 

[TimberTDI]

increase the volume

Do you mean decrease?

 

[bad coffee]

nope. he means increase. The bigger sump will hold the extra backwater.

But a syphon break is the only way to go. Drill a 1/8" hole right below the water line of the return.

B

 

[MightyMike]

Increase in sump volume, not water, that way if the water flows back and has room to fill the sump, not the floor.

Edit: man, B you are fast on that

 

[TimberTDI]

Wouldn't it be easier to just lower the water level to accommodate the excess water.

 

[bad coffee]

how quick can you drill a 1/8" hole in plastic?

 

[TimberTDI]

how quick can you drill a 1/8" hole in plastic?

Is that a trick question?

I meant in addition to drilling the holes, as opposed to getting a bigger sump.

 

[bad coffee]

No, since you're a carpenter the answer is {most likely} pretty quick.

if he drills the holes, he doens't need to enlarge the sump. Once the water level gets to the holes it stops draining before it overflows the sump.

B