make my overflow failsafe

[gregkeller]

Alright, first major leak in my new 55 gallon tank. I've got it set up with a tidepool SOS overflow and sometime over the weekend (tank is in my classroom) the power went out. No big deal, the system was designed so that's not a problem. Unfortunately the overflow lost it's siphon. Not really sure how but it did, so when the pump went back on it pumped about 5 gallons of water all over the floor of my room. The person below me didn't really like it either. So here is my question is there some way i can add a small pump to the u-tube of the siphon so when power comes back on it sucks any air out and re-primes the siphon. It could be on all the time, just run the return line back into my sump. My problem is i'm not sure of how to do this, if it's possible, and what tools and type of pump i would need. So anyone who can help out i'd appreciate a basic parts list i'd need. Luckily the tank wasn't stocked with anything, but i don't have permission to turn the system back on until i can get this figured out. I don't have the option of drilling the tank, so i need to deal with what i've got, basically making it impossible for this to happen again. Thanks in advance.

 

[auggydoggy502]

if you have a power head all you have to do is hook up some air line tubing to the air intake on the water output of the power head and run the other end of the airline tubing up to the top of the j tube. never had any problems with this setup. ope it hhelps.

 

[mr_X]

you might look into a CPR overflow. they utilize a suction pump called an "aqualifter" pump. when the power goes out, the same thing will happen. when the power goes back on, so will the aqualifter and restart the siphon.
i don't think there is any good way to utilize an aqualifter with a J tube overflow.
i suppose you could try to crazyglue a piece of airline tubing in the Jtube, ending at the highest point, and connect that to an aqualifter, but i think the overflow designed for that setup is a better bet.
greg, i am going to be breaking down my 30 gallon cube very soon. i will have a 600gph CPR overflow with aqualifter for sale. i'm not terribly far from you.