Sump Drains Question

[TR0N3K]

Preface this with I am new to saltwater and sumps and appreciate feedback and patience I have main drain with a 45° slip connected to a ReefMat, and then another 45° connected to emergency drain pointed at middle chamber / skimmer section. I would like to be able to see and hear if emergency drain is being used (problem). Any suggestions?

 

[UncommonSense]

If possible, put your 45 elbow on the main drain immediately after the union, and put the gate valve further downstream… You’ll get a much more direct run to the reefmat, which is important as you want to avoid any uphill portion(s) in gravity drains! (The gate valve is also a bit easier to tune if there’s a taller column of water on top of it!)

Your emergency drain should terminate below the sump’s top rim, otherwise it will definitely end up spilling some amount of water outside the sump! (Terminate it above the operating sump water line, but below the sump rim!)


— if you can, flip the position of the main drain and emergency drain standpipes in the overflow box; making the left bulkhead your main drain, and the center bulkhead your emergency drain… this will make everything a nice straight shot plumbing-wise!

 

[TR0N3K]

If possible, put your 45 elbow on the main drain immediately after the union, and put the gate valve further downstream… You’ll get a much more direct run to the reefmat, which is important as you want to avoid any uphill portion(s) in gravity drains! (The gate valve is also a bit easier to tune if there’s a taller column of water on top of it!)

Your emergency drain should terminate below the sump’s top rim, otherwise it will definitely end up spilling some amount of water outside the sump! (Terminate it above the operating sump water line, but below the sump rim!)


— if you can, flip the position of the main drain and emergency drain standpipes in the overflow box; making the left bulkhead your main drain, and the center bulkhead your emergency drain… this will make everything a nice straight shot plumbing-wise!

Good suggestions, thanks. The gate valve came assembled and glued, that’s probably staying that way. But might try and switch emergency for main. Not sure if it impacts anything, every Waterbox I’ve seen has the main drain in the middle but .

Thanks!