Overflow Boxes

[svine]

Geoff,
If you get this, I have an overflow box on my 60gal, since it can't be drilled (arrrgh) and I, like everyone am concerned about times that this system could fail and floods ensue. I am experimenting with my hang on Magnum 250 as a back up to my overflow or in conjunction with it. I attached 3/4" flexible tubing to the output side of the Magnum and connected the other end to a "T" fitting as it enters the sump. The original overflow box drain pipe is also connected to the "T" fitting and it to enters the sump here. I could run the normal overflow box alone as it was intended for the most part; however, times that I would be away I could turn on the Magnum to act as a security measure. Your thoughts on this or possible problems that I might not see?

Steve

[svine]

anyone care to throw their two cents in?

[Twitterbait]

Could you throw together a diagram, i can't quite picture this. why cant you drill?

[BLFuller123]

Hey Steve,

Is the bottom and sides of your tank tempered? Most tanks are just tempered on the bottom. You could still drill the bottom of the side so you could use an internal overflow. I drilled my 75 like that and have never had a problem with it. Just my 2 cents.
-Brett

[RobinsonFam1]

i dont think that you will acheive anything here if i am picturing this correctly.
let me see.....
you want the return side of the magnum to tie into the drain of the box near the sump? if that is correct all you are doing is redirecting your filtered water from the magnum into the sump. not doing anything for or against the overflow box.
i agree with Brett.....figure out who made the tank and check their website to see if it has tempered sides or bottom, and drill it. makes life much simpler!

BR

[Geoff]

i am also having a hard picturing what you have described. could you post a pic?

G~

[svine]

it's an Oceanic tank. I am told the bottom is tempered glass but not sure about the sides. How can you tell? And if it not, how difficult is it to drill and is this something I could do myself?

[svine]

sorry to make this so confusing. The Magnum would not be used for filtration only to pull water from the tank and send it to the sump and Protein Skimmer. Basicly a powered overflow.

[Geoff]

ahh, powered overflow, not a good idea. it is very difficult to match pump rates. if it gets a little off, you either get a flood from the sump or from the tank.

G~

[rdaled]

Yeah, I had this same thought originally. I have a magnum 220 canister and thought, "why not just let it feed the sump". Well it didn't take long to figure out that it would have been a very bad idea!

[Bill Z]

I have a float switch on my tank. If the water gets to high it shuts off the return pump and turns on a buzzer. (The bzzer let's someone int the house know to call dad....)

I think http://www.floatswitches.net/ has wiring diagrams.