Waterflow management suggestions

[outdrsyguy1]

I could use some suggestions on piping/water safety (not flooding my house or destroying my tank!).

I installed a remote dsb and currently I have a closed loop pump that pumps up to it from the sump and the water drains back into the sump via gravity.

Current Ideas:
1. secure supply tubing permanently (currently zip tied to a rw magnet) Maybe go pvc at end or maybe just some sort of hose clamp screwed to wood structure just above tank.
2. increase flow and make current 1" bulkhead a minimal drain/safety. Thinking of running 2 small 1/2" ID hoses in a full siphon up and over tank edge and down to sump, remainder of water to go into bulkhead.
3. Add float switch and tie into apex to turn off pump and send alarm if remote dsb water level gets near rim.
4. I'm also being careful where hoses are located so I can only back siphon about 1" of water from dsb to sump should things turn off

pics to follow
Suggestions?

 

[outdrsyguy1]

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[ghbrewer]

I would just hard plumb the supply line so there's no chance that it could fall in. Also would consider drilling a siphon break in it so that it does not siphon back into your sump. Over the edge siphons are asking for trouble, IMO, and you do not likely have enough fall over the length of the pipe to make the siphons work correctly. I would just make sure to look over/maintain the overflow when doing regular tank maintenance. Float switches would be a great idea. Have them shut off the supply line to the RDSB if water level gets too high.

 

[ghbrewer]

Make sure you get plenty of critters (I.E. Bristle worms, snails, etc...) to keep that DSB healthy.

 

[outdrsyguy1]

the hydraulic head height between the two water levels is about 10". I agree about the siphon being a little dangerous since the overflow couldn't keep up with the flow rate if the siphons were lost.

To deal with the back siphon to the sump i just mounted the outlet so it was slightly underwater but still above the drain line level so if powers lost then the water level breaks the possible siphon.

I'm not expecting to have much detritus in the rdsb as I was only toying with turning it into a refugium someday. Currently it has no light and is after the sump filters so should be pretty minimal buildup. I've got tons of bristleworms in my tank though so i'm sure a few will find their way to the rdsb. whether there's food for them there is another question though.