110 gal. with trickle filter

[nano55]

I have been having some issues with my trickle filter latley. It is inside the cabinet under the fishtank. In the past, when I would clean my tank, I would put the python in the trickle filter box to clean out the box and would turn off the powerswitch after I started to syphon out the water out of the filter box. Once the box was close to empty, I would remove the 4 filter sponges that sit inside the tank chambers and rinse them out. After that, I would clean the inside of the tank itself; vacuming the gravel and syphoning the dirty water out, and cleaning the glass. Then I would fill the tank back up. Now, when I syphon the water out of the filter box, not only does it drain the filter box, but the water starts emptying out of the tank into the filter box. I have had it overflow out of the box onto the floor. I am not doing anything different. Why all of a sudden would it start draining like that from the tank into the filter box? I can't figure it out.

 

[jones57742]

Now, when I syphon the water out of the filter box, not only does it drain the filter box, but the water starts emptying out of the tank into the filter box. I have had it overflow out of the box onto the floor. I am not doing anything different. Why all of a sudden would it start draining like that from the tank into the filter box? I can't figure it out.

n5:

Somewhere in your pump system to the tank you have a backflow preventer which has ceased functioning.

The water is siphoning out of your tank.

TR

 

[nano55]

n5:

Somewhere in your pump system to the tank you have a backflow preventer which has ceased functioning.

The water is siphoning out of your tank.

TR

Do you know what I would be looking for, where would the backflow preventer be? How would I go about fixing it? Thanks!

 

[excuzzzeme]

Either your return line is too low in the tank or your siphon overflow is not set properly. If this is a sudden difference I would look for a clogged air hole in the return line. You need an air hole in the return near the top of the water level in the main tank (not the sump) so when you drain the sump it starts sucking air breaking the siphon effect. That little hole will prevent overflows.

Another method is to install a one way check valve on the return. Check valve failure will do the same thing so I prefer to drill a small air hole and watch to make sure it isn't clogged.