Need help setting up overflow box

[Eddie G]

I purchased an Amiracle overflow box. I put it together as the picture in the instructions shows. I have the large sponge filter over the pvc bulkhead as shown in the picuture. Also included is the piece of sponge that was cut out of this larger sponges middle.
IS THIS JUST AN EXTRA PIECE OF SPONGE & NOT USED FOR ANYTHING?

It looks like the u tube just sets in the smaller section of the overflow box. I think the water first flows into this smaller section. Then it goes over the plastic separater. Then the water is filter by the large sponge as it enters the pvc bulkhead and empties through the bottom of the pre-filter box.
IS THIS CORRECT?

I have 1 extra red plug.
I have 2 extra black o rings.
I have one 1" 90 degree elbow with female threads on one end and slip on the other end.
And there is one 1" by 3/4" threaded adaptor.
ARE THESE ALL JUST EXTRA PARTS?

[Eddie G]

I have a 165 gal tank. I plan to purchase an about 30 or 40 gal rubbermaid to use as a refuguim. I will be putting this inside the stand under the tank. My tank is full and up & running. When I connect my overflow box what do I need for the refugium end.

Do I just attach the hose to a piece of pvc and try to somehow clamp it to the rubbermaid refugium?

I haven't purchased the hose yet. I was thinking about purchasing an about 6' lenght of the Amiracle hose for about $18.

Will it hurt if the 6' length is a little too long?

When I'm ready to start the overflow, how do I initially adjust the water levels?

I was thinking I will only fill the rubbermaid refugium about half way. Then when I place the skimmer part of the overflow into the tank, I will only place it about 1/2" to 1" below the water's surface. This way if the power goes out or the return pump stops for any reason, only about 10 gals will drain into the rubbermaid refugium and it won't flood.



Eddie G

[Eddie G]

I might use an extra maxi jet 1200 when I first set this up. Then maybe I will purchase a mag pump. Maybe a MD7 or MD9.5 size. I'm open to suggestions. I will probably turn off this pump once or twice each day when I feed the fish. I want to instal a ball valve.
Does the ball valve go before the intake side or after the outflow side of the pump?

And I've seen check valves in one of the catalogs. I was thinking maybe I should install one after the outflow of the pump. This way if the pump stops for any reason, the water won't siphon from the tank down into the refugium causing a flood.
Is that how these water check valves work?

And I don't know a good way to keep the pump from overflooding the tank if the pump is working and the overflow box stops for any reason. So I was thinking of just putting the maxi jet, and later the the intake tube for the mag or whatever pump I buy, up high in the rubbermaid refuguim so the tank won't overflow in the pump is working and the overflow box stops. I don't know anything about float valves and if they would be useful to avoid overflooding the tank.
Thanks for any help & suggestions.
Eddie G

[Doug1]

Ed, the round foam in the center is extra piece, tho I pushed mine back in about half way, so it sticks out the top, helps with noise a bit
The water level is dependant on how high or low you set the inner box.
The U tube goes into the smaller chamber and water fills that, then over the wall and down the drain
The slip fitting with male threads goesinside the box, use an O ring on it, the the female part with hose barb? goes on from underneath, using O ring, any hose that fits the fitting is OK $18 for 6' is too much I think.
Then once its all in placefill the outer box and put in the Utube. Use a length os airline tubing shoved up the U tube to suck the air out and start siphon
The trick is to max flow thru the tube without overriding the capacity, if the pump goes off the box cant drain below the slots in the box.
Valve goes on the output side of the pump, and a check valve will be redundant on this setup, have fun

[Stang69]

Everyone else seemed to covet the ret so My answer is Yes they are extra parts. The red plugs are extra and the 90 is incase you needed to put it on a wet dry or you just needed to 90 into your stand. I would keep them but thats just me I have been told I am a packrat but always seem to have something laying around someone needs.



Jeff