low level shutdown needed in my sump?

[Bluegill]

Will a low or no water level damage these impeller pumps that everyone uses?
I havent glued anything yet. I'm still working out the details and want to be able to modify my plumbing if needed.....
So.....I'm worried about one of my lines coming off or something and draining my sump....and prob. damaging my pump...??
I'm thinking a low level shutdown would prob. give my some confidence in leavimg my system for a day or two....even when I get it all glued up...
What do all of you do??

[Mantis]

I left mine unglued and the day I got my trout I went to the footy, and on return found 20 trout in 3 inches of water. A growbed return and fallen off.
Glue it all up, or take the chance

[Yabbies4me]

I havent glued anything yet. I'm still working out the details and want to be able to modify my plumbing if needed.....

Put a Barrel union or a Slip-fix fitting in the line just above the pump.

Cheers, Yabbies.
.

[trout]

Will a low or no water level damage these impeller pumps that everyone uses?

What do all of you do??

NO WATER, PUMP RUNNING = THROW PUMP AWAY

Q: what do we all do ?

A: make sure you never run low water.

when you feed your fish check water levels
top up if necessary

[adam.francis]

isn't he talking about the sump water level? are you making a CHOP system Darryl?

[Bluegill]

Yes....and Yes

[chainsaw]

darryl, buy a dirty water pump with built in float valve. I bought a brand called Leader (red colour) from B store, I think about 8 - 10K an hour, 220W but pump only runs for 5 mins per hour. I have 2 others systems continually running pond pumps and this last system beats the others hands down.

[adam.francis]

darryl, buy a dirty water pump with built in float valve. I bought a brand called Leader (red colour) from B store, I think about 8 - 10K an hour, 220W but pump only runs for 5 mins per hour. I have 2 others systems continually running pond pumps and this last system beats the others hands down.

ok, but hold on chainsaw.. i've been thinking about this for a while now because i'm planing to construct a bigger system soon using the CHOP setup..

my cousin and I we're trying to understand what the water level in each container should be? or is it inevitable and all systems with a sump should have a pump that has a float switch?

if the FT water level is always going to be the same height due to gravity would you then have to top up the sump with water when you are putting the INITIAL water in.. i hope im not confusing you guys because i sure have confused myself right about now..

[RupertofOZ]

Yep, you'll need to charge your sump with water initially...

[trout]

Hi Adam

I'm not real sure what your question is but I'll try to answer it in
a round about way.

If you were growing vegetables in the garden you will need to water
them at a rate of 5 litre per square metre per day.

If AP uses 20 percent of the water then your system uses
1 litre/sqm of growbed.

If I did nothing my system will use 6 litres per day to feed the
plants and evaporation.
Since the FT and growbed levels will always be the same the variation
will be seen in the sump.
So if you don't keep an eye on the level, the sump will go dry and you'll burn the pump out.
In my case I throw in a bucket of water a day and once a fortnight
during regular maintenance I top up to the overflow.

I think that answers your question

cheers Lou