Over Flow Boxes?

ILLBKING · 01-12-2006, 01:53 PM

I made the mistake of not drilling my 120 when i changed it to SW in spet/05.

I recently talked to a guys at the LFS and he said he could order me a overflow box and this would allow me to run a sump and get the heaters ect out of my tank. He said its 250.00cnd (wow). When I asked him what it was and how it worked he really could not help as he had never seen one, only heard of them.
Can some one give the low down. Do they work well? Is there a DIY opening here for me? (Hope So).
How do they work?

whatevva · 01-12-2006, 02:01 PM

I found this very informative http://thereeftank.com/forums/faq.ph..._sump_articles

Part 1 talks a lot about overflows

Butch

Wiskey · 01-12-2006, 02:04 PM

There is a diy opening. I beleave they are also called continuious syphon overflows. They are a HOB overflow and have their problems, but it is the only way to run a sump without drilling your tank. They consist of a box on the inside and outside, with a u tube, or acrillic slot that remains submerged at all times. As the water level rises in the main tank, and it flows into the box on the inside of the tank it flowes through the u tube and into the box on the back which drains down to a sump. If you get one definitally get the Aqualifter pump to avoid loosing syphon, and a flood, this will save you a tun of headaches in the end.

HTH,
Whiskey

ILLBKING · 01-12-2006, 02:12 PM

Now I m a little scared of these things for sure. The loss of syphon and the flood on my hardwood, would definatly be grounds for divorce.
It must be very important to match the pump out put to the syphon rate as well?

Twitterbait · 01-12-2006, 03:10 PM

that price is a big rip off. you can almost get a new tank for that. you might call the local glass shop and see if they would be willing to drill the tank ($20-40). or get a HOB overflow $40

keqwow · 01-12-2006, 04:08 PM

I plan to get my overflow box for my 55 gallon from this guy. Power outtage safe....seems to have good reviews too.

http://www.aquacrylics.com/aquarium_filters.htm

reef_noob · 01-12-2006, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Kingston

Now I m a little scared of these things for sure. The loss of syphon and the flood on my hardwood, would definatly be grounds for divorce.
It must be very important to match the pump out put to the syphon rate as well?

In my experience, as long as you are pumping enough gph through the system, you'll never lose siphon. Keep in mind, you pump from the sump to the main tank, so as long as you have an air break just at the water line in the return line and you can accomodate the amount of water in the return line in your sump in case of power loss, you'll be fine. Overflow boxes primarily lose siphon because of air bubbles trapped in the u-tube. As long as the return pump from the sump is pushing enough gph, this won't happen.

Twitterbait · 01-12-2006, 07:49 PM

Actually, you should never lose the siphon even with the HOB models. the problem happens when someone picks up the "J" tube and breaks it. i never had a problem when i used mine in the past. corner overflow is the best though. that unit looks good and a good price too.

Psymon · 01-12-2006, 08:29 PM

One thing to remember it ONLY drains as much as is Pumped UP, so with power lose, the only water you lose down to your sump that can cause a flood is usualy through your return line, when its submerged too low, without an air break.

Twitterbait · 01-12-2006, 08:54 PM

Keep in mind that you don't want to pump more than the overflow can handle or you will overflow your tank.

Phishnoob · 01-12-2006, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keqwow

I plan to get my overflow box for my 55 gallon from this guy. Power outtage safe....seems to have good reviews too.

http://www.aquacrylics.com/aquarium_filters.htm

Let me know when you do. This seems like a great price, but I am not sure if this is as good as the ones Marine Depot sells.

Tom if you read this you told me to do some mod to make sure the overflow works right, and since I was the one that didn't spill my drink into the salsa it has been forgotten.

Also, I plan to shoot this right into a pump and return it straight back through a spray bar without a sump if that matters. At least it won't flood unless a hose pops off or something.

reef_noob · 01-12-2006, 10:43 PM

Stay away from the ones marine depot sells. They rely on an aqualifter pump to keep their siphon and are less reliable than the u-tube ones.