Sump-Tank Overflowing?
 

Ok, well, sorry if this is a really stupid question…

So the whole idea behind a sump tank is that we are going to run the water down into the tank like this one:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...9&N=2004+22778

and then we are going to put a water pump on it and pump it back into the tank…

But how do we stop all of the water from siphoning into the sump tank and overflowing it?

Thanks for your help.

-Todd

Thats what a overflow is, it is either pre-drilled into the tank or hangs on the tank.

But won't all of the water just flow right out of the tank?

No. Only the water that the pump can put back into the tank will flow out, UNLESS you pipe the returns incorrectly. An overflow box limits the tank to only allow about 1" to go to the sump in the event of power failure. Your return line extends into the tank itself. With a hole near the top of the water line to create a siphon break the water could siphon backwards through the pump in a power failure situation. But think of this, if your pump returns 800GPH then only 800GPH will be available to flow back OVER the overflow box.

re: sump question
 

The sump system is easy.... what goes in will come out, as long as the power is on.

Think of the sump system like leaving your tub going with the drain open. The drain will never let the tub overflow.

What goes in will go out.