Overflow from Refug to Sump

[Travis]

I was wondering what everyone thinks of this. I took two pieces of 2" PVC and glue one in the refug and one in the sump and ran a 3/4" tube between them. Look at the diagram... So far it works very well but I'm not sure if it will hold up over time.

[Lahatiel]

I think it is a great idea. I had been looking for a lost cost solution to creating that type of setup myself...and I do believe you just gave me the answer, thanks. It it works in the same manner as most overflow boxes, so I don't think there will be a problem with it. I would like to hear some of the opinions of the experts though. And it sure beats forking out 60 bucks on an overflow box!

[steve1s]

I see a couple of concerns, unless I'm just reading the diagram wrong. A couple of lines are crossing so it's unclear if the fuge is getting water directly from the main tank or not.

I see>>>

The flow from the main tank goes into the sump.

From the sump it goes out the bottom and into the bottom of the fuge. Then out the top of the fuge to the sump again. Like a convection current. Or does 2" PVC sealed to tank mean you've sealed a built in overflow hole?

Both sump and fuge have return pumps going back to the main tank joining at a"T" into one return.

??

The parts that concern me is if the water from the main tank is going to the sump only, then it will not flow properly into the fuge. The sump in that case should be higher than the fuge.

The other part that bothers me is Murphy's Law, If the two tanks are indeed connected from the bottom as well, then you will need to be extremely cautious of settling. If may become uneven and leak.. :o

Any part I fumbled up, let me know.

Cheers
Steve

[Travis]

The 2" PVC is sealed to the bottom of the tank with no holes cut. The main tank drains into the sump. The return pump feeds the refuge via a tee and a ball valve. The water then goes through the overflow back into the sump. There should be no way for the two tanks to equalize, the level in the 2" PVC will equalize when the pump goes off keeping the siphon. Pretty slick for a guy from Wy I thought :mrgreen: . If you see a flaw in the theory let me know.

[steve1s]

Thanks, That actually makes much more sense. And yes quite slick http://members.shaw.ca/steve-s/thumbsup.gif

The only thing I would add is make sure the pump return in a high enough GPH. Branching it off to the fuge will significantly reduce the flow to the main tank.

Cheers
Steve