Setting up tank with sump for the first time

[Bradb2009]

I am setting up my first tank with a sump. I have had one with canisters for 6-7 years and have a question I can’t find any answers too. I have a new tank with rear corner overflow towers with 3 bulk heads in the bottom. Using a herbie style system with a return on each side. Each side has this set up and have dedicated pumps to each side for returns. I started to fill the tank and got to the point of the return cut out in the overflow tower and it is an inch lower or so than my weir of the overflow. When it gets to this point it starts filling in around the return piping and filling the overflow box and starts filling sump before it ever gets to the weir. I am stressing out about it as I obviously don’t want to overflow it and haven’t done it before. I have holes drilled in the loc lines for syphon break but am worried with what to do since the sump would be full I believe before it got to that point. Any recommendations? Could talk through it over the phone if anyone was willing to do so. Appreciate any help.

 

[Subsea]

“I started to fill the tank and got to the point of the return cut out in the overflow tower and it is an inch lower or so than my weir of the overflow. When it gets to this point it starts filling in around the return piping and filling the overflow box and starts filling sump before it ever gets to the weir.”

@Bradb2009
Is this aquarium someone’s diy or does it have a model number.

In looking at your picture, there is a weir above and one below the return line to display.

Can you detail better pictures to illustrate that issue?

 

[Bradb2009]

It was an acrylic tank I had built but didn’t realize the return hole would be so much lower than weir. My thinking is that it would drain down to bottom of return hole circled in red in the picture attached. I’m thinking I just need to get a bulkhead and then put my loc line into that and I believe that would eliminate my potential issue unless I’m just overthinking it being an issue

 

[Fish Fan]

In looking at your picture, there is a weir above and one below the return line to display.

I believe you're seeing the reflection of the weir above in the water bellow.

 

[Fish Fan]

It was an acrylic tank I had built but didn’t realize the return hole would be so much lower than weir. My thinking is that it would drain down to bottom of return hole circled in red in the picture attached. I’m thinking I just need to get a bulkhead and then put my loc line into that and I believe that would eliminate my potential issue unless I’m just overthinking it being an issue

I think if you can get a bulkhead in there it would help

 

[Subsea]

Your present setup is an issue. Yes, the return line should be above or at weir level.

Even with a syphon break hole, if you install bulkhead at that level, consider volume of water that will syphon down into sump during pump failure or power outage.

 

[Fish Fan]

Even with a syphon break hole, if you install bulkhead at that level, consider volume of water that will syphon down into sump during pump failure or power outage.

Excellent point, wasn't thinking about that

 

[Damage12]

The tank builder didn’t tell you that putting a return opening below the weir was going to be a problem?

You’re going to have to plug that hole and cut out another spot on the side over the overflow or where possible for the return line at the same height as the weir teeth or slight above the waterline.

 

[Bradb2009]

Even if I put a bulkhead in and threaded the loc line into it and had the loc line drilled with a whole in it and barely under water I would still have an issue? I’m trying to think how water could still get in at that hole if that were the case. I’m not an expert and just genuinely trying to better understand.

 

[Bradb2009]

Also if I plugged the hole I assume you would just use a plug in bulkhead correct? I was thinking if it was a threaded bulkhead that I would be able to thread the loc line into it and it would still be sealed off assuming I had my lines high enough so much water didn’t drain

 

[Reef Jedi]

Hmmm this could also be solved by installing one of these on the return and keeping the loc-line at the water level. I’ve done multiple failure simulations and these work great.

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/1...J2nLSNnUx2zIdqg2B8ozXXnTNPE3s4S_j6CxViWOSPKPV

 

[Subsea]

Even if I put a bulkhead in and threaded the loc line into it and had the loc line drilled with a whole in it and barely under water I would still have an issue? I’m trying to think how water could still get in at that hole if that were the case. I’m not an expert and just genuinely trying to better understand.

Brad,
The present hole that loc line uses needs to be patched/covered/sealed. Then raise return line to weir level or higher.

I would not use a check valve in a marine ecosystem.

Hmmm this could also be solved by installing one of these on the return and keeping the loc-line at the water level. I’ve done multiple failure simulations and these work great.

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/1...J2nLSNnUx2zIdqg2B8ozXXnTNPE3s4S_j6CxViWOSPKPV

I would not use a check valve in a marine ecosystem, In my experiences, additional devices are added failure points.

 

[Bradb2009]

Brad,
The present hole that loc line uses needs to be patched/covered/sealed. Then raise return line to weir level or higher.

I would not use a check valve in a marine ecosystem.

I would not use a check valve in a marine ecosystem, In my experiences, additional devices are added failure points.

Would a bulkhead with the threaded loc line adapter piece that then has the loc line at or above water with siphon hole leak water into overflow box? In my head it would essentially plug that hole and let the water rise above it to weir level but I may be missing something.