Sump quesiton

[Ashv5]

Hi guys,

first time owning a sump and before I set up the whole system, I had a few questions. What is this pipe and the things in the pictures?

The pipe leads to a dead end/stop.

 

[Scratch08]

pics 2, 3 and 4 looks previous owner built a stand to mount float valve (pic 2) on, possibly for auto top off. Guessing pic 1 is just another angle of same pipe?

 

[takitaj]

The thing in pic #2 is a mechanical float valve. If the float drops below the set level it allows fluid to flow and shuts it off when the level returns to the set level. Usually used in automatic top off (aka ATO) systems or when filling a bucket or barrel from a RoDI system so it doesn't overflow.

It's hard to tell what else we're looking at. Can you post some pics further back so we can see the entirety of the system?

 

[Ashv5]

The thing in pic #2 is a mechanical float valve. If the float drops below the set level it allows fluid to flow and shuts it off when the level returns to the set level. Usually used in automatic top off (aka ATO) systems or when filling a bucket or barrel from a RoDI system so it doesn't overflow.

It's hard to tell what else we're looking at. Can you post some pics further back so we can see the entirety of the system?

Yes will send some more

 

[Ashv5]

 

[Scratch08]

I still think it was being used for ato, but looks like what ever was being used to hold the float valve in place on that pipe is missing.

 

[takitaj]

Yep, looks like the float valve was being used as ATO and the PVC pipe it's slid over is just there to hold the float valve. You could make it adjustable by threading a machine screw into the tee. The flexible hose coming off the Eheim pump is the return back to the tank. The stand-alone PVC pipe on the opposite end probably came from the tank overflow. It could also be used as the feed to a refugium if there's enough room in the center to house a skimmer, pump and a sock holder.

Where does the pipe holding the ATO float go? What is the doughnut in the center section?

 

[Ashv5]

I was planning on using another ato system. The sump will be fine if I just avoid that pipe right? I don't want to mess with that too much.

 

[takitaj]

You could certainly use a different ATO. The pipe shouldn't matter, it goes above the top of the sump. You can use the float for your RoDI bucket. :)