I need this plumbing question answered please :)

[Ding2daDong]

My dad and I are basically bumping heads right now and he insists that drilling a hole in my sump for the return part of my external pump is stupid, that I should just do a huge upsidedown U and have the pump suck it that way.

So hear is my question, Is there really any difference from drilling for the return through the sump compared to doing a huge upsidedown U?

We are both waiting for the answer so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

-Matthew

[ReefWreak]

Yea. Don't do the U, unless you've got it tapped with an aqualifter pump constantly sucking the air out of it, constantly keeping it primed. 99% of aquarium pumps are not self-priming, and if and when that U gets filled with air bubbles, it'll break siphon, cavitate the pump, until it burns out. Not a good idea. Some of us put a downward facing 90 degree elbow in the sump from the vertical, to make sure that the pump draws from the lowest point possible in the sump, in case of low water or something like that.

[macawmagic]

drill the whole matt! it WILL work. the u tube should also work, but is not a permanent fix...it's more of a nightmare. if for some reason that syphon breaks you're return pump will just be sitting there not moving anything. not that you will loose the syphon, but why tank that chance!!!

[DC321]

Drill it.

[coralfragger101]

Ditto on the drill it. Besides everything posted above, how much of your pumps capacity are you going to loose just getting it to "pull" the water into it?

[45commando]

Hey Matt,
you can do the inverted 'U',but you will have to be able to also do the following so that it works properly:
1 locate the pump lower than the sump,so that the siphon will not break-say in a power outage.
2 add a Tee,that has a removable plug,so that you can prime the siphon.You would need to do this any time you remove the pump for cleaning etc.
I used this type of set up for a closed loop a couple of years ago(melev's reef has a link for it).It worked great,but drilling a hole & using a bulkhead with a union & ball valve is a lot less hassle at maintenance time.
Also Matt,got your message & will call you Tomorrow cheers,Darcy.

[racermike27]

I agree Matt, just drill the hole.
You can do it with the U but it is more hassle and more things to worry about.

[Ding2daDong]

LOL drilling will commence tomorrow with or without my dads full understanding of it.

The thing that gets him and me is the fact that doesn't the inlet of the pump suck water? So wouldn't it not need a sihpon because it is sucking and will just suck the water out into the pump and the pump will push the water out?

I don't know much about pumps but that was my basic logic of how it works.

Thanks for all the replys guys!

-Matthew

[Ding2daDong]

whoops

[Rogger Castells]

DO IT.....DO IT!!

[45commando]

Matt,only certain pumps are "run dry",in that they can actually draw the water into themselves.You have to really start getting into the higher HP or self priming type pumps,before you can consider that option,but it is an option.HTH

[Ding2daDong]

Originally posted by Rogger Castells
DO IT.....DO IT!!

LOL

All I can imagine is Ben Stiller in Starsky and Hutch saying " DO IT! DO IT!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmUZGdi7Ty4

-Matthew

[Rogger Castells]

you hit it right on the money, LOL, Love that movie

[Ding2daDong]

Teaser shot;



Hopefully if all goes to plan, I will be posting tomorrow with all the plumbing done, and sump moved over.

Thanks again,

-Matthew

[KMP]

that's sexy!

[flyguy7150]

looks nice man

[Ding2daDong]

I know this is off topic and it is really late but I just can't stop laughing at these photos;
Might be the fumes from the pvc cement. lol





okay I think im done.

-Matthew