Help need with overflow box recommendations

[Askaleymanfish]

I have a 225 gal tank that’s gonna be pretty heavily stocked when my fish get big. I’m running 2 fx6s right now but I wanna concert to a sump but I don’t want to drill the tank. So I need to no what the best overflow box is for my situation. What should I get to keep good filtration

 

[TheWolfman]

A sump isn't going to provide any better filtration then your two fx6s biology speaking. I wouldn't bother trying to run a sump if your not going to drill the tank. Overflow boxes are a ticking time bomb. Personally I would monitor your parameters and adjust your water change schedule from there.

 

[Askaleymanfish]

A sump isn't going to provide any better filtration then your two fx6s biology speaking. I wouldn't bother trying to run a sump if your not going to drill the tank. Overflow boxes are a ticking time bomb. Personally I would monitor your parameters and adjust your water change schedule from there.

My water is fine but all my fish r 12-17” they gonna get bigger. I don’t understand how a sump wouldn’t provide more tho? I can run a bigger tank for the sump and fit way more media in it

 

[TheWolfman]

Bacteria only populate to the current bio load, so just because you have more surface area doesn't mean more bacteria. If you have no detectable ammonia or nitrite then your filtration is adequate. If your fish are 17"s then you should be starting to think about upgrading your aquarium not just the filtration. The nitrates will be through the roof if they aren't already in a tank that size.

 

[LDPatton]

The sump may not provide any more biological filtration currently if the two canisters already have enough. The sump will increase the water volume of the system helping with heavily stocked tanks and can provide more bio filtration and mechanical filtration if the tank needs it as the fish grow.

 

[Askaleymanfish]

Bacteria only populate to the current bio load, so just because you have more surface area doesn't mean more bacteria. If you have no detectable ammonia or nitrite then your filtration is adequate. If your fish are 17"s then you should be starting to think about upgrading your aquarium not just the filtration. The nitrates will be through the roof if they aren't already in a tank that size.

That’s what I want the sump for as the fish grow the bacteria grows I don’t think 2 canisters will support them when they r adults. My nitrites never go over 5. As I said my water qaulity is fine.

 

[Askaleymanfish]

I asked what overflow would be best to use. I would still like to no the answer to this question.

 

[LDPatton]

I have a cpr model cs202 over flow box on my 300 gallon with an aqualifter pump to keep the prime when power goes out. I recently bought a fiji cube 2000 gph over flow setup to replace the cpr with. The fiji requires holes to be drilled. The cs202 has worked well for me for months with multiple power interrupts. It has always started up and primed no problem and never loses a prime from air getting trapped due to the aqualifter pump. I do believe an overflow that uses drilled holes instead of hang on the back is better. The fiji cube comes with a diamond hole drill to drill your aquarium. If its acrylic like mine you use a good hole saw instead.

 

[Askaleymanfish]

I have a cpr model cs202 over flow box on my 300 gallon with an aqualifter pump to keep the prime when power goes out. I recently bought a fiji cube 2000 gph over flow setup to replace the cpr with. The fiji requires holes to be drilled. The cs202 has worked well for me for months with multiple power interrupts. It has always started up and primed no problem and never loses a prime from air getting trapped due to the aqualifter pump. I do believe an overflow that uses drilled holes instead of hang on the back is better. The fiji cube comes with a diamond hole drill to drill your aquarium. If its acrylic like mine you use a good hole saw instead.

My aquarium is glass I’m honestly to scared to drill it. That’s y I want a overflow box I’m gonna check out the one u use for the 300 gallon. Thank u for answering my question

 

[LDPatton]

Its your call but watch a few videos on drilling glass and you will see its not hard to do. I will be moving the cs202 to my 150 gallon tank so I can setup a sump on it instead of canister filters. The 150 is glass so it will be an easy switch. Eventually I will replace the cs202 with another overflow that requires drilling. The cs202 has worked very good tho. Just make sure you use an aqualifter pump in the setup and it should be pretty good. I only worry about the aqualifter pump failing and having the overflow lose prime. The way mine is setup I have plenty of room in the sump when the power goes out to hold the water that flows from the aquarium. I also have just enough room in my tank to allow my return pump to pull all of the water out of the return pumps chamber and suck air before my main tank overflows. At least by calculation my main tank wont overflow but it will be right to the very top.