Can i get a little help to better understand the overflow.......

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Blaz1n1t

Gambusia
MFK Member
Dec 24, 2011
326
1
16
FL
I just got a new used 65 gallon oceanic for free. It has a overflow box built in and i want to set it up properly, but i dont understand everything 100% can someone kinda just dumb things down for me such as how to set it up, do i need pvc inside of it? Im going to use a 55g for a sump, do i need plexi or glass and silicone to make segments for filter media inside it.? Just simple things that is a Need for setup, thanks for help. Pics would also be helpfull....

ImageUploadedByMonsterAquariaNetwork1342990482.555672.jpg
ImageUploadedByMonsterAquariaNetwork1342990496.781459.jpg
ImageUploadedByMonsterAquariaNetwork1342990504.662771.jpg


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
water to the sump comes from the pvc pipe into the sump and is pumped back in through the other hole and out of the overflow through the opening at the top of the overflow.
it's a durso setup.
 
The chamber fills with water pumped from the sump via return pump. The chamber continues to fill until it overflows the pipe with an upside down "J" shape. The little hole drilled into the "J" tube is to allow a piece of tubing to be inserted into the water flowing through the "J" pipe to break any siphon that would occur creating a flushing, like a toilet. The return line will be plumbed either through the other bulkhead and up to the notch in the weir. Usually there would be a nozzle allowing you to direct the flow. The nozzle can be bought online and the most popular is called LocLine.

The important thing to remember is, if you use the other bulkhead to plumb the return, the pipe must be glued or screwed with teflon tape to avoid a leak. The over flow ("J") tube must also be watertight. Now consider this: If the return pump pumps more than the "J" tube will allow to flow, you will overflow the tank. If you feel the return pump is to big, you can easily use the other bulkhead as an additional overflow(make another "J"tube) and place the return nozzle into the tank by running it up the back into the tank like a traditional return from a canister would setup.
 
The Dumbed down version of an overflow is:
1) Set your aquarium on a stand and put the Aquarium and stand in a small kiddie swimming pool.
2) The kiddie swimming pool is the sump.
3) Pump water from the pool into the aquarium.
4) Let the water over flow the top of the aquarium and fall back into the kiddie pool.

This is all an over flow is. Drilling an aquarium, using an overflow box and plumbing the system is just a way to straighten up the aquarium in the kiddie pool metaphor.
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com