Bean Animal Overflow Box?

[jhc7685]

New to sump and overflow, I'm currently running 2 fx6 on my 150 gallon but I'll be setting up a 180 gallon garage tank and was thinking about going with a bean animal overflow to a 55 gallon diy sump and eventually an auto water changer that dumps out to the yard. Is an overflow box really necessary for a freshwater setup? Or can I drill three hole into my tank and plumb all three pipes without an overflow box for surface skimming?

A retrofit overflow box from Modular Marine rated for 3500 gph cost $65 plus $15 shipping. So if it's not necessary I would like to save that $80 for other components (pumps, heater, filter socks, etc.).

Tank will be bare bottom with some driftwood, no plants, and the stock will be a few pleco, 2 giant gourami, and 1 silver arowana for now.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[twentyleagues]

An overflow will make your life easier. It will help regulate the water level and flow. Plus they usually come with a drill template. Ive got tanks both ways and the ones with boxes are much eaiser to deal with. Im trying in my head to figure out how youd actually set up a bean animal without an overflow and have it work proper. In a bean you have one under siphon another setup as a standard and a third as a dry emergency drain. Unless you drill them really low in the tank I'm not sure on that set up. Maybe its just to early or coffee isnt kicking in yet.

 

[Backfromthedead]

New to sump and overflow, I'm currently running 2 fx6 on my 150 gallon but I'll be setting up a 180 gallon garage tank and was thinking about going with a bean animal overflow to a 55 gallon diy sump and eventually an auto water changer that dumps out to the yard. Is an overflow box really necessary for a freshwater setup? Or can I drill three hole into my tank and plumb all three pipes without an overflow box for surface skimming?

A retrofit overflow box from Modular Marine rated for 3500 gph cost $65 plus $15 shipping. So if it's not necessary I would like to save that $80 for other components (pumps, heater, filter socks, etc.).

Tank will be bare bottom with some driftwood, no plants, and the stock will be a few pleco, 2 giant gourami, and 1 silver arowana for now.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

It can be done. I have my 150 set up similar to what youre suggesting though its just a single 1.5" drain and a 1.5" emergency drain. I drilled them about 5" from the rim, regulate flow with a valve, and just have a strainer inside the tank on the drain. Works great for me but it really is a matter of personal preference.

I will point out the downsides: lack of surface skimming/leaving surface residue, and they are much mire susceptible to clogging, though if youre going bare bottom with no plants thats not much concern.

 

[BIG-G]

J jhc7685
I have a system setup that works similar to what you’re trying to accomplish.
I have two drains from the main display one is set to take almost all the flow as a full siphon.
The other is an overflow/emergency drain.

The main line is regulated by a valve to take just slightly less than full return flow.
The other has just barely a trickle of water that doesn’t go down the main drain.
Both are just bulkhead fittings with strainers.


As a side note because it’s setup like that I get a little surface skimming from the E-drain

I will point out the downsides: lack of surface skimming/leaving surface residue, and they are much mire susceptible to clogging, though if youre going bare bottom with no plants thats not much concern.

 

[Backfromthedead]

J jhc7685
I have a system setup that works similar to what you’re trying to accomplish.
I have two drains from the main display one is set to take almost all the flow as a full siphon.
The other is an overflow/emergency drain.

The main line is regulated by a valve to take just slightly less than full return flow.
The other has just barely a trickle of water that doesn’t go down the main drain.
Both are just bulkhead fittings with strainers.


As a side note because it’s setup like that I get a little surface skimming from the E-drain

Sometimes if i notice an oil slick accumulating, I'll turn the main drain wide open for a few hours which drops the water level to the drain and returns, seems to eradicate any surface residue with the added turbulence.

 

[jhc7685]

Alright, thanks guys.