Need advise on mixing station please?

[stanleo]

I completed and tested my mixing station today and all the water goes to the right places and there aren't any leaks which is good. However I think I made a mistake in putting the drains for water containers on the bottom instead of on the side. My thinking was that it would drain more of the water this way but it's actually having the opposite effect. When the water drains to about 3 inches it starts sucking air and the pump stops. Is there a way to prevent the pump from sucking air or should I just move the drains to the side of the containers? It is a Hygger adjustable DC pump. The drains are standard 3/4" aquarium bulkheads. The piping is 3/4" PVC. Any advise would be great, thank you.

 

[Johnd651]

Since its DC if you slow the pump down does it stop the siphon effect?

 

[K7BMG]

I would leave the way it is.
In time you probably will have a bigger system.

The more penetrations in the containers the more risk of leaking.

 

[stanleo]

Since its DC if you slow the pump down does it stop the siphon effect?

I haven't tested that yet, I was in a hurry to get to work but I will tomorrow. I was also going to test if closing the valve will have any impact.

 

[stanleo]

I would leave the way it is.
In time you probably will have a bigger system.

The more penetrations in the containers the more risk of leaking.

I probably will just leave it but I worry about leaving 3 inches of standing salt water for the two weeks between water changes will have any ill effects.

 

[aqua_code]

This prob only happens when there's air stuck in the bottom plumbing. Would think once everything has been running and the pipes are full this shouldn't be a problem.

If you are somehow creating a whirlpool and sucking in air, that might be causing this scenario - but only at low water levels most likely.

 

[K7BMG]

I probably will just leave it but I worry about leaving 3 inches of standing salt water for the two weeks between water changes will have any ill effects.

That would depend on the salt mix you intend to use.
By looking at your setup even if you plumbed on the side I think you will have a few inches that will remain.
My system always does and I have a more traditional mixing station.

 

[bblumberg]

Yeah, mine (side plumbing at the very lowest level possible for 55g drum) always has about 3" remaining in the bottom. The easiest solution is to mix up a fresh batch of salt water immediately after you use the current one and let that mix until you need it next time. My pump is set to come every 2 hours for 15 minutes to keep the water well-mixed