BAHAHAHAHAHA. feel free to try it and learn the hard way, but its been discussed here many times.
HOB Filter as a HOB Overflow???
- Thread starter rojowe
- Start date
again, do a search on the forum. i can think of at least 2 other threads where people wanted to do this with an AC110 and were told about pump matching.
as you have already been told. even if you get the two to match up, one little problem with the HOB, and your tank is as good as flooded.
but hey, if youre not willing to listen to the advice given, by all means, give it a try yourself and report back here when youre done cleaning up the mess.
as you have already been told. even if you get the two to match up, one little problem with the HOB, and your tank is as good as flooded.
but hey, if youre not willing to listen to the advice given, by all means, give it a try yourself and report back here when youre done cleaning up the mess.
I don't get what you mean about pump matching? You mean the filters intake being to small to match with the pump putting water back into the tank? Thats why I am wondering about 2 being used...thus does 2 overflows at 600gph equal 1200gph or does it stay at 600gph
A few of thoughts.
Bottom of the HOB does not give you much room for a bulkhead fitting of any size.
A skimerless design could be made to work.
U tube placement would be a challenge, back to the bulkhead problem.
Chamber design of the emp would be like having 2 separate hob overflows, each having the above problems.
Plastic used on HOB is pretty brittle and hard to work with. Can be done, but easy to crack.
Lots of other things could be used, with a bigger likelihood of success .
Bottom of the HOB does not give you much room for a bulkhead fitting of any size.
A skimerless design could be made to work.
U tube placement would be a challenge, back to the bulkhead problem.
Chamber design of the emp would be like having 2 separate hob overflows, each having the above problems.
Plastic used on HOB is pretty brittle and hard to work with. Can be done, but easy to crack.
Lots of other things could be used, with a bigger likelihood of success .
Okay I have actually done this.
I didn't use a Pump not sure why you would? I had the cheapo topfin 60 I put U tubes in the compartment where the media used to be. I then ran a pipe out the bottom of the compartment where the pump used top be installed. This works because the U tube is always below water since the compartments are separated and the pump compartment is higher then the bottom of the media compartment.
The results are it works about as well as swimming with a rock tied to you. Does it hold the Siphon "Yes", Does it work as an overflow "Yes", however the flow rate was really to slow, if I added more U tubes to increase the flow into the box, the drain was not able to keep up due to the small connection from the media compartment and the pump compartment.
I have never seen the HOB your talking about so maybe the connection or flow path between the two compartments are bigger and might work better, but I say go with the DIY PVC overflow for the win.
I didn't use a Pump not sure why you would? I had the cheapo topfin 60 I put U tubes in the compartment where the media used to be. I then ran a pipe out the bottom of the compartment where the pump used top be installed. This works because the U tube is always below water since the compartments are separated and the pump compartment is higher then the bottom of the media compartment.
The results are it works about as well as swimming with a rock tied to you. Does it hold the Siphon "Yes", Does it work as an overflow "Yes", however the flow rate was really to slow, if I added more U tubes to increase the flow into the box, the drain was not able to keep up due to the small connection from the media compartment and the pump compartment.
I have never seen the HOB your talking about so maybe the connection or flow path between the two compartments are bigger and might work better, but I say go with the DIY PVC overflow for the win.
What about using a powerhead for the overflow? Just on a small scale, though, like 40g system or smaller... Why couldn't you run the output of one powerhead thru a tube down to the sump, then use a larger powerhead or pump for the return? I know there has to be a reason, but I can't think of one... No siphon to deal with either. If the power goes out, the overflow would stop too.
Again. NO
Even if you got two of the same model powerhead, the flow rating is a rounded average, not an exact measure. And even if you got two powerheads that flow exactly the same, the slightest build up of algae or debris in the intake or impeller housing will cause enough of a slow in the flowrate (however slight it may be) to make the return pump faster than the internal siphon and flood the tank.
Then there's the issue of head pressure.
Most powerheads are rated at 0 pump head, and not meant to operate under such conditions. So again, even if you had two of the same model powerhead, the head pressure of the powerhead pumping water vertically over the lip of the tank and from the "sump" back to the tank, would cause them to pump Irregularly and at completely different flow rates. Not to mention, the added stress on the impeller and motor would put added stress on the powerhead, causing it to eventually fail.
And the list goes on and on and on...
As you have been previously told, stick to the tried and true methods rather than try to reinvent the wheel.
A PVC overflow is cheap, easy to assemble, and reliable.
K.I.S.S.
Words to live by.
Even if you got two of the same model powerhead, the flow rating is a rounded average, not an exact measure. And even if you got two powerheads that flow exactly the same, the slightest build up of algae or debris in the intake or impeller housing will cause enough of a slow in the flowrate (however slight it may be) to make the return pump faster than the internal siphon and flood the tank.
Then there's the issue of head pressure.
Most powerheads are rated at 0 pump head, and not meant to operate under such conditions. So again, even if you had two of the same model powerhead, the head pressure of the powerhead pumping water vertically over the lip of the tank and from the "sump" back to the tank, would cause them to pump Irregularly and at completely different flow rates. Not to mention, the added stress on the impeller and motor would put added stress on the powerhead, causing it to eventually fail.
And the list goes on and on and on...
As you have been previously told, stick to the tried and true methods rather than try to reinvent the wheel.
A PVC overflow is cheap, easy to assemble, and reliable.
K.I.S.S.
Words to live by.
Bitteraspects Your just a buzz kill...lol...its purely for curiosity.
Take no offense, I realize its not a good idea, was just curious
Thanks for your help
No way I'm going to pay for an overflow box, there to expensive for nothing, if I do an overflow im doing pvc or drilling the back of my tank...
Take no offense, I realize its not a good idea, was just curious
Thanks for your help
No way I'm going to pay for an overflow box, there to expensive for nothing, if I do an overflow im doing pvc or drilling the back of my tank...
