LNataniel February 5, 2015 February 5, 2015 Can anyone help me understand why I can't fill my tank with fresh water? I have to keep it to the level marked by the blue line. When ever I do, the water keeps running into the sump. I'm running the Hydor Smart Level Control ATO with the Kollercraft Aqua lifter pump. Should I run the water directly into the tank? Your help is appreciated.
Apcoleman February 5, 2015 February 5, 2015 Is it creating a siphon? If so you need to find a way to break it.
Shoelace February 5, 2015 February 5, 2015 Is the water level of your top-off reservoir higher than the level you want to fill your tank/sump?
LNataniel February 5, 2015 Author February 5, 2015 The water level of my top-off is higher than the sump. I was told that it was a gravity issue, but had seen many pictures with a similar setup like mine that seemed to work. I'll see how I can change things around. By the way, I see that we have a New England fan in the forum. Must be happy with Seattle's blunder. Thank you all,
Shoelace February 5, 2015 February 5, 2015 Yes, I still don't know why they threw instead of ran - LOL. So you have several options if you still want to feed the ATO into the sump. 1) Get a different container that is wider and less tall than the current one you have so that the relative water level is lower for a given volume 2) Put a anti-siphon hole in your ATO line (hard to do with the thinner 1/4 inch or airline type tubing 3) Mount the location of the ATO line where it dumps into the tank up higher than the freshwater reservoir so you can't create a siphon. Could create some splashing. I have seen people get a PVC pipe that is bigger than your ATO line and put it vertically into the sump and put the ATO line into the pipe up at the higher level. 4) Feed into the display tank (I don't like that when the return is in a separate tank from the sensor). 4) Whatever other people suggest
gmerek2 February 5, 2015 February 5, 2015 Set a pipe in the sump that is higher than the ATO container and larger in diameter than the tubing pumping the water. Silicone and secure the tube to the top of the pipe. This will fix the siphon or gravity issue
Djplus1 February 6, 2015 February 6, 2015 I used pretty much your exact setup for my tank for a while. Raising the line up will do nothing in that amount of space as the siphon will still happen. Buy a small T that fits in your tubing. First raise up the line inside the stand like everyone is saying, but cut the line and place the T at the top of the arch. To be safe, I added a third piece of hose to direct the drizzle overflow into your sump. Siphon broken, no drips in your stand.
zygote2k February 6, 2015 February 6, 2015 or use a peristaltic pump and no siphon will ever be an issue.
Djplus1 February 6, 2015 February 6, 2015 or use a peristaltic pump and no siphon will ever be an issue. to second ^^, this is what I do now.
Rob A February 6, 2015 February 6, 2015 Either adjust that discharge line so that the end of it is higher than that blue line (loop it up over that flexible pvc line?) Or put a tee in it at the highest point (close to the top of the aqua lifter bracket) and run a tube a few inches off the tee up high as a vent. I have the tee setup on 2 tanks. Works fine.
s2nhle February 6, 2015 February 6, 2015 Just don't submerge the tube that goes to the sump. keep it higher than the sump highest water level.
LNataniel February 6, 2015 Author February 6, 2015 All, excellent suggestions. I will work on it this weekend while I'm home so I can catch potential disasters. My tank is in the family room with hardwood floor. LN
s2nhle February 6, 2015 February 6, 2015 good luck, my tank is in the family with hardwood floor also.
WilRams February 6, 2015 February 6, 2015 Ah good to see this thread since I can tell I'm going to run into this issue with the top of container I plan on using.
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