Plumbing problem

[Jose padilla]

The set up for my return is basically a return pump with a hose and pvc returning back into the display and it works fine but when the pump is off the water begins to suction its way back down into the pvc and into my sump causing a flood any help?

 

[Crabs McJones]

The set up for my return is basically a return pump with a hose and pvc returning back into the display and it works fine but when the pump is off the water begins to suction its way back down into the pvc and into my sump causing a flood any help?

Its called back siphon, basically when the pump is shut off, the water that's left in your plumbing wants to fall back down into the sump, and the action of that falling pulls water from the tank down, the only thing that can break that siphon is if air gets introduced to the system. So what you can do is to put your return nozzle just under the waters surface of your full tank so when the pump is turned off the back siphon is minimal. There are also anti drainback valves you can get but due to their failure rate they should not be your primary resource. Can you provide pictures of your return? That may better help with other possible solutions to your problem :)

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Sometimes depending on return line setup you can drill a small hole and attach a small air line tube just a few inches tall. It introduces air as soon as return pump goes out stopping the back siphoning. Without seeing what you have it's hard to say but there are many solutions for this.

 

[reefproaquatics]

install a good check valve above your pump and a ball valve above the check valve. I prefer the true union swing check ball valves by spears. they are clear so you can so that they are working and the true union feature makes them easy to replace. the purpose of the ball valve above the check valve is so you can close the valve when you need to service the check valve without having to worry about the back siphoning you described.