GPH of an Overflow box?
- Thread starter gazelle
- Start date
You can only try to calculate based on the drain size, however this is not always an indication. I would suggest finding the model and looking up the specs, other wise you have to do the old fashion test and use a bucket of know capacity and a time, fill the tank up to the brim while keeping the overflow shutoff with a ball valve. Then open it start the timer, stop it after one minute then see how much water drained, or you can do it for 30 seconds.
There are two points of possible limitation... A) The drain in the bottom of the overflow box... B) The siphon between the aquarium and the overflow box...
The maximum flow rate of the drain in the bottom of the overflow box is easy to determine. There is a sticky in the DIY folder that offers this information.
The maximum flow rate of the siphon between the aquarium and the overflow box is much more difficult to determine. Since this siphon does not have the minimum verticle drop the siphon will not function at the maximum flow rate for that diameter of pipe.
Also some manufacturer's exaggerate their equipments potential so reading the specs isn't always a reliable approach.
The maximum flow rate of the drain in the bottom of the overflow box is easy to determine. There is a sticky in the DIY folder that offers this information.
The maximum flow rate of the siphon between the aquarium and the overflow box is much more difficult to determine. Since this siphon does not have the minimum verticle drop the siphon will not function at the maximum flow rate for that diameter of pipe.
Also some manufacturer's exaggerate their equipments potential so reading the specs isn't always a reliable approach.