Mixing Station

NJ_Bri · 2026-09-21T11:43:38-0400

Hello everyone. So I am planning a mixing station. I have a spare room that i want to put it in. Only this extra room is upstairs above the tank. I will be using a DOS pump for water changes and top off. Does anyone see a major concern to a flood? By flood, i mean a potential siphon issue. Not a broken pipe, or usual water spillage. Any tips you guys can share.
Thank you

commod0re · 2026-09-21T11:55:02-0400

Since you’re planning to use a peristaltic pump you don’t have to worry about siphons

Seregus · 2026-09-21T11:59:08-0400

I do not think your answer is correct. Perilistic pumps in general prevent syphon due to the rollers, but in time tear and wear could potentially establish a small syphon if pump stops in the unfavourable position.

To 100% prevent such conditions install solenoid valve which will be opening at the same time or a second before the pump starts dosing.

Correction: solenoid will improve your chances of stoping syphon, but since its also can fail, well, you just have to check it and make sure all is working from time to time.

NJ_Bri · 2026-09-21T12:06:09-0400

Cool. Thank you for your thoughts guys!!

commod0re · 2026-09-21T12:12:09-0400

Seregus said:
I do not think your answer is correct. Perilistic pumps in general prevent syphon due to the rollers, but in time tear and wear could potentially establish a small syphon if pump stops in the unfavourable position.

this is not really true, the hose is always pinched on a peristaltic pump, there is no “unfavorable position”. The alternative to that would be loss of pressure, efficiency, and predictability, you would not be able to calibrate such a pump with any desirable level of accuracy

The only case you would really worry about leaks and siphons with peristaltic pumps in practice is if the tubing in the pump head wears out and develops a crack or hole. Replace the head on your pump periodically before this happens and you won’t have to worry about siphons

Seregus · 2026-09-21T12:20:14-0400

Neptune dos has two rollers if I’m not mistaken?

NJ_Bri · 2026-09-21T12:27:22-0400

Would I be better off with the DOS near the tank, or closer to the water storage?
And yes, the DOS does have 2 rollers.

commod0re · 2026-09-21T12:29:26-0400

2 rollers is still enough that there’s no position on the head that will allow a siphon. The tube touches more than half of the circle. There is no position where fewer than 1 roller is pinching the line