Siphon break in return lines?

[gmerek2]

. Do I absolutely have to have a one way valve on my return pump line? I'm wondering if there is a siphon break in my return lines so I can take it off. All I would have to worry about is the water in my lines draining out if there is a siphon break. The reason why I would want to take it off is to increase flow. You lose GPH with it and I have space in sump for lines to drain. Thanks wamas!

[surf&turf]

I have a siphon break in my return, works great. 

[Origami]

I've never used check valves, to tell the truth. Only siphon breaks. One word of advice, check and clear the siphon break of any algae or blockage on a regular basis. If blocked, it's not very useful.

[Jon Lazar]

I've never used check valves, to tell the truth. Only siphon breaks. One word of advice, check and clear the siphon break of any algae or blockage on a regular basis. If blocked, it's not very useful.

Or go with two siphon breaks, so a wandering snail won't be standing on the hole at just the wrong time.

[gmerek2]

Oh so the siphon break is not built into the tank? It's something I have to add? Where should I drill the hole?

[Origami]

There's a picture of one about halfway down this page. It's basically a hole in your return line that is normally just below the water surface that is exposed when water begins to siphon back into the sump after a power outage. Once the siphon break is exposed, it lets air into the return line, breaking the siphon.

[monkiboy]

i like employing a check valve and enough room in my sump to hold the water that would siphon down. typically you upsize your check valve and bush down to avoid any restrictions to flow/GPH. siphon breaks can be annoying because like tom mentioned they require rather frequent maintenance and can splatter water on your reflectors or light fixture if not drilled exactly at the right location.

Edited October 3, 2013 by monkiboy

[gmerek2]

Thanks for the info guys. Mine are drilled in the overflow area but not below water line. Squirting down into the water. Not easy to reach for me or snails. Definitely could see algae and stuff clogging them over time.

[Origami]

Thanks for the info guys. Mine are drilled in the overflow area but not below water line. Squirting down into the water. Not easy to reach for me or snails. Definitely could see algae and stuff clogging them over time.

I had this same configuration on my old 180 with holes drilled on the inside edge of the elbow just above the water line. I tied a small piece of open cell foam (like the kind used on some pump intakes) loosely over the hole to keep the noise and splash from the steady stream down. It also kept snails and algae at bay. Worked well without my needing to ever remove the foam.

[TheyCallMeMr.703]

I did THIS ALSO .... see my build thread....   would be more then glad to help .... I've done 2 so far,   See my build for pics and whatnot

[TheyCallMeMr.703]

key here I think... is above the water line

[Origami]

key here I think... is above the water line

A siphon break can be above or below the water line. Most of the time, though, it's below. This helps to keep it from getting clogged with calcium carbonate deposits. If set below the water line, it's location often dictates the water level because that's where the siphon action is interrupted ("broken") once it's opened to the air by the falling water level.

[gmerek2]

Yup mine are both in the elbow. I thought it was a small leak before this thread LMBO. I don't think my splashes get to anything so I'm just going to keep them open so I can openly see the water flowing when I decide to check for function.

[Origami]

Yup mine are both in the elbow. I thought it was a small leak before this thread LMBO. I don't think my splashes get to anything so I'm just going to keep them open so I can openly see the water flowing when I decide to check for function.

Sounds like a good plan.

[TheyCallMeMr.703]

A siphon break can be above or below the water line. Most of the time, though, it's below. This helps to keep it from getting clogged with calcium carbonate deposits. If set below the water line, it's location often dictates the water level because that's where the siphon action is interrupted ("broken") once it's opened to the air by the falling water level.

huh, makes sense