My inexpensive drip system

[soggysandwich]

what is the best/easiest method to make sure all your water doesnt drain out and then your pump dies

 

[Tongue33]

Hey man i know i've asked a few questions since you posted this.. but what does your pH stayat?? What does it usually come out of the tap at and does this affect it at all??

 

[soggysandwich]

what is the best/easiest method to make sure all your water doesnt drain out and then your pump dies

? anyone ?

 

[rob22]

do you have a full parts list

 

[rallysman]

what is the best/easiest method to make sure all your water doesnt drain out and then your pump dies

Sorry I missed that post

The easiest is definitely the gravity drain, but the sump needs to be large enough that you can drill the hole high enough. The way to tell is mark where your water level normally is, then unplug the pumps. Once the water is done draining into the sump mark where that water level is. That is where you'll need to drill the hole.

The water level will be that high all the time, but if you lose power and the rest drains through the hole, the water level will only go down to where your normal mark was before.

The next best way is the float switch setup which I have a thread on. I'll see if I can dig it up.

Hey man i know i've asked a few questions since you posted this.. but what does your pH stayat?? What does it usually come out of the tap at and does this affect it at all??

I'm not really sure to be honest. I'll have to test it.

do you have a full parts list

I can get one, but it's going to be slightly different for every each application.

 

[soggysandwich]

Sorry I missed that post

The easiest is definitely the gravity drain, but the sump needs to be large enough that you can drill the hole high enough. The way to tell is mark where your water level normally is, then unplug the pumps. Once the water is done draining into the sump mark where that water level is. That is where you'll need to drill the hole.

The water level will be that high all the time, but if you lose power and the rest drains through the hole, the water level will only go down to where your normal mark was before.

The next best way is the float switch setup which I have a thread on. I'll see if I can dig it up.

ok thanks, yeah that would be nice, i would like to see how the float switch is used.

 

[rallysman]

Here it is:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69707&highlight=float+switch+drip

The only thing to be careful of though, is a siphon. If the pump kicks on and the hose going out creates a siphon through the pump (after it shuts off) you'll be in trouble. A vent line somewhere after the pump should keep that from happening.

 

[soggysandwich]

Here it is:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69707&highlight=float+switch+drip

The only thing to be careful of though, is a siphon. If the pump kicks on and the hose going out creates a siphon through the pump (after it shuts off) you'll be in trouble. A vent line somewhere after the pump should keep that from happening.

question about the float switch... so what happens when the power goes out? wouldnt the water all drain into the sump causing the water level to rise. then when the power comes back on the pump will drain all the water in the sump so make it come back to normal level but then there will be a lot less water in the system. am i right or am i over thinkng it

 

[rallysman]

question about the float switch... so what happens when the power goes out? wouldnt the water all drain into the sump causing the water level to rise. then when the power comes back on the pump will drain all the water in the sump so make it come back to normal level but then there will be a lot less water in the system. am i right or am i over thinkng it

Just use a small pump with a low GPH and set the water level a little high to begin with. You're right, there will be a little less water but the main pumps should get the water back into the system before the small one removes too much water. Another think you'll want to do is raise the small pump so it's impossible for it to lower the water below the main pumps. That way you won't drain all of the water out of the pump if something blocks the float switch.

 

[rallysman]

Also, if you're not using a sump you can use a method like this:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101156