It seems to me that an overflow wouldnt be effective in removing much debris being that the water it is taking in is from the top of the tank. I understand it benefits the water with more beneficial bacteria growth thus returning better water for the fish but wouldn't the tank still get dirty? I know most people run overflows with other filters but I've seen some tanks with just overflows and I think hows that clean the tank, they must vacuum it regularly right? give me some info on this please
How well do overflows do on cleaning tanks
- Thread starter fhawk362
- Start date
The tanks I have that use overflows use the megaflow weirs. They pull just as much if not more from the bottom and middle slits as what goes over the weir. Still need to vac the detritus mid week but no more than I have to do on the tanks with cans or HOB's.
fox3;3854666; said:
What are those like, any links so i can see. I've been planning on a diy overflow (pvc style) and everything but I keep talking myself out of it cause it doesnt seem worth it to me.
I have a 260g bare bottom with an overflow box in the middle of the tank. I hate it because the heavy debris stays on the bottom and the lighter debris float around in the water till it gets high enough and close enough to the weir to be pulled in. The flow rate of the water is to the point that the water level touching the lid and still debris remain. I was told to cut the weirs down to increase flow but I'm convince it won't make a difference. Don't even get me started on the noise the overflow makes.
I think fox3 has a better overflow with top, mid, and lower slits. I wish mine was like that.
I think fox3 has a better overflow with top, mid, and lower slits. I wish mine was like that.
yea fox3's sounds like an efficient overflow. Anyone else have any experience with the effectiveness of an overflow cleaning debris and such, or are they just for more biological filtration.
My tank uses an overflow alone. Not much debris floating around though. The fish I keep like lots of flow so I use a vortech mp40 powerhead that generates a huge amount of undertow along the bottom. I siphon for maybe 2 min each water change and that's about it. Tank is crystal clear with very little debris on the bottom. I've read that the majority of pollutants collect at the top of the water where they are pulled to the filter by the skimming action of an overflow. Who knows if that's 100% correct, but I haven't had any problems.
swk;3855221; said:
Yea overflows are supposed to be very good at creating healthy water but I think youre right, to have them be effective at removing debris alone they probably have to be assisted by powerheads to kick debris up.
Use the DIY overflow that sucks from the bottom instead. In this link post #2 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219465
I use this type on my 800 and find it much better than the surface feeding type.
You can see it here behind the canisters.
The large pipe is the intake. I am going to extend it closer to the bottom soon.
I use this type on my 800 and find it much better than the surface feeding type.
You can see it here behind the canisters.
The large pipe is the intake. I am going to extend it closer to the bottom soon.
greenterra;3855243; said:
Yea I've thought of that but I dont know how it works and if theres a power outtage my whole tank is drained. But I don't need it for that cause I have an hob and canister already I'd just like some more flow to get a better turnover rate and got curious on how people pull off having just an overflow on a tank.
fhawk362;3854729; said:
I tried to search but mebbe I am not using the right words to find one for links.
I have AGA tanks and they come installed already on their reef ready drilled tanks. I believe I have also seen them on Oceanic tanks.
What it is is two baffles make up the weir with about 3/8 inch or a bit less between them. The inner baffle has no openings and contains the durso and supply tube back to the display and is set just a bit lower than the teeth on the outer baffle. The outer baffle has slits about 2 inches up from the bottom and midway up. These draw water in and up over the inner baffle. Works very well.