Sump Is Puzzeling Me

[Jimmy01]

Trying to plan my new set up, and I was wondering about the addition of a sump. Now I am worried as to what would happen if there was to be a power cut. Wouldnt the tank simply empty its self. How is this prevented?

 

[SkiFletch]

A few ways. First, your overflow to the sump is set either with a standpipe near the surface, a strainer near the surface, or an overflow box with teeth near the surface. That way, if power goes out, only a 1/2-1" or so of water drains into your sump. Then on the return line to the main display, a gate check valve is used, as are two holes drilled in the return pipe just at the water line to break siphon in the tube. You still have to design some headroom into your sump for a power outage that way, but at least you dont need to go nuts with it

melevsreef.com for more sump information than you would ever want to know