Tank drainage safe guards?

kroner19 · 07-10-2012, 01:57 PM

A While back my spray bar dislodged and was spraying over the top of my tank through the canopy. Luckily I got home shortly after it happened but not in time that it didn't leak through my floor into my downstairs neighbors apt. So here's my question.....

Has anyone ever drilled a hole, slightly below the water line (maybe 1") on the intake pipe of their filter? I figure if the spray bar were to ever come dislodged again, when the water drained to the level of the hole, air would get into the pipe and stop the filter from sucking in any more water pretty much causing it to stop functioning. This would allow minimal water to escape and disaster to cease.

Thoughts?

Ulupica · 07-10-2012, 03:54 PM

I know some overflow units, especially DIY, have a hole to break the siphon when the water level gets too low. Probably a similar principle.

brainwavepc.com · 07-10-2012, 05:14 PM

Should work but will probably ruin your filter if it is a canister.

Better to secure the spray bar where it can't dislodge

kroner19 · 07-10-2012, 11:51 PM

Better to ruin a filter than my hardwood floors and my poor neighbors ceiling. Thanks for the input.

HD Blazingwolf · 07-11-2012, 12:23 AM

Get heater suction cups, as well and use them to stick the hoses to the back of the tank.. its an excellent safegaurd to prevent this. Its not a 100% solution but even if u drill the hole, it might lessen ur chances of burning a filter out

deeda · 07-11-2012, 01:55 AM

Why not put a small hose clamp to secure the tubing the spraybar.

PlantedRich · 07-11-2012, 02:22 PM

For cheap insurance, how about a small water alarm? I find most canister leaks are small, so I add a small alarm at the base. They cost $10- 15, run on 9 volt batterieas and last a long time. They will raise the dead if they get water on the contacts. I find them where water heaters are sold.

**Lurch98** · 07-11-2012, 10:03 PM

If you want to be really secure, you could get a float switch to turn the filter pump off if the water level drops enough. That'd keep from burning up the filter. They run about $75 and people use them in sumps and top off solutions.

BS87 · 07-12-2012, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurch98

If you want to be really secure, you could get a float switch to turn the filter pump off if the water level drops enough. That'd keep from burning up the filter. They run about $75 and people use them in sumps and top off solutions.

This doesn't break the siphon. The "best" way to do it would be to drill the small hole as said earlier, plus a float switch of some sort to shut off the filter, to avoid burning it out.

brainwavepc.com · 07-12-2012, 05:03 PM

There was no siphon problem in his situation. If the water lowers and the float switch powers off the filter the water spray will cease and save the pump and the floor/neighbors.

That is a good solution to that not happening again, but the best solution is always prevention. Make sure everything is secured and tightly attached.

Good luck in whatever you choose, I've cleaned water off the floor a few times and it sucks

07-10-2012, 01:57 PM	#1
kroner19 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York Posts: 134	Tank drainage safe guards? A While back my spray bar dislodged and was spraying over the top of my tank through the canopy. Luckily I got home shortly after it happened but not in time that it didn't leak through my floor into my downstairs neighbors apt. So here's my question..... Has anyone ever drilled a hole, slightly below the water line (maybe 1") on the intake pipe of their filter? I figure if the spray bar were to ever come dislodged again, when the water drained to the level of the hole, air would get into the pipe and stop the filter from sucking in any more water pretty much causing it to stop functioning. This would allow minimal water to escape and disaster to cease. Thoughts?

07-11-2012, 12:23 AM	#5
HD Blazingwolf Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 4,813	Get heater suction cups, as well and use them to stick the hoses to the back of the tank.. its an excellent safegaurd to prevent this. Its not a 100% solution but even if u drill the hole, it might lessen ur chances of burning a filter out __________________ Sump Pimp #7 75G Rainbowfish Journal

07-11-2012, 01:55 AM	#6
deeda Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 720	Why not put a small hose clamp to secure the tubing the spraybar. __________________ Dee __________________ Eheim Pimpette #270 Eheim Pro II 2028; Classics Series -2215, 2217, 2260, 2262; Pro 2229 Wet/Dry

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07-10-2012, 03:54 PM	#2
Ulupica Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sheboygan, WI Posts: 100	I know some overflow units, especially DIY, have a hole to break the siphon when the water level gets too low. Probably a similar principle.

07-10-2012, 05:14 PM	#3
brainwavepc.com Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (14/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Beaverton Oregon Posts: 448	Should work but will probably ruin your filter if it is a canister. Better to secure the spray bar where it can't dislodge

07-10-2012, 11:51 PM	#4
kroner19 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York Posts: 134	Better to ruin a filter than my hardwood floors and my poor neighbors ceiling. Thanks for the input.

07-11-2012, 02:22 PM	#7
PlantedRich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pflugerville, Tx Posts: 1,513	For cheap insurance, how about a small water alarm? I find most canister leaks are small, so I add a small alarm at the base. They cost $10- 15, run on 9 volt batterieas and last a long time. They will raise the dead if they get water on the contacts. I find them where water heaters are sold.

07-11-2012, 10:03 PM	#8
Lurch98 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Montgomery, Alabama Posts: 134	If you want to be really secure, you could get a float switch to turn the filter pump off if the water level drops enough. That'd keep from burning up the filter. They run about $75 and people use them in sumps and top off solutions.

07-12-2012, 05:03 PM	#10
brainwavepc.com Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (14/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Beaverton Oregon Posts: 448	There was no siphon problem in his situation. If the water lowers and the float switch powers off the filter the water spray will cease and save the pump and the floor/neighbors. That is a good solution to that not happening again, but the best solution is always prevention. Make sure everything is secured and tightly attached. Good luck in whatever you choose, I've cleaned water off the floor a few times and it sucks