ok ive been reading about overflows and drilled tanks about to start saltwater tanks got 3 to start , got ro/di system and salt already my tanks are not drilled but thinking about it the question is ( why dont a reef tank dont over flow into sump,refugium, if its drilled half way up or on bottom of aquarium, when the power goes out) whats the magic? because to me it would , if not why ,the hood, if one, is open to air.....Question 2 Who has the best overflow system, this is what im thinking about if i dont what to drill, got fluval 305 canister , i want a refugium bad , ok get refugium put fluval 305 in it after i drill some hole in it . put live rock and some plants in it to eat the nitrates, put that in 305 , oh take everything out of 305 and use that pump to push filtration , put the suction of 305 in the refugium and the flow into the tank,i would also have live sand and more live rock in refugium , has anybody tried this ? i read canister filters are no good but theres a pump there that can help, just something on my mind , got a 75 gallon 55gallon and a 20 gallon to start any help will help , scared of flood
I dont understand setup help please
- Thread starter james331
- Start date
It's not magic. The water only drains into the overflow when it reaches the hole. If the power goes out the pump can't fill it to the hole anymore and the water sits at the edge until the power comes back on. The pump is constantly trying to overfill the tank but the overflow keeps trying to flood the sump. So I guess it is magic...
Anyway, it works. But you don't have to drill your tank. I made 2 DIY overflows for about $10 each after watching this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DFk4bnIxEg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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Anyway, it works. But you don't have to drill your tank. I made 2 DIY overflows for about $10 each after watching this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DFk4bnIxEg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
The overflow intake only take the surface water, like skimmer, that is why it is called OVERflow. So. overflow must go all the way to where water level stays. So, when power goes out, water level will drop until below overflow intake opening, then can drop no more. So, if sump is right size, no need for flood. Even if sump too small, maybe little puddle of water when water flows out of sump little bit, but not huge, big flood all over house. BUT, IF put overflow intake opening halfway down or at bottom like you say where you want holes drilled, then yes, if power goes out, water spill everywhere all over house! So, here is main problem of sump filter: not suck dirty water from tank sand bottom. So, need to do regular vacuuming, or use additional HOB filter for mechanical filtration. Suggest use HOB filter for this as much easier to clean.
Yes, can work very good. No need to take everything out of 305. Can use media inside 305 as additional filtration! If ONLY canister filter and nothing else, may be problem not enough oxygenation for beneficial bacteria, but if sump filter PLUS refugium PLUS canister filter then very, very good!
Suggestions:
i) Use 75g as main tank, 20g as Sump Filter, 55g as Refugium
ii) Overflow to 20g Sump Filter: firstly, through sock filter at bottom of overflow for mechanical filtration, then through wet / dry trickle chamber in sump filter for oxygenation and biological filtration), then to 55g Refugium to remove nitrates, then to Fluval 305 as additional filtration, then back up to main tank.
iii) Also, have 2 x AquaClear 110, one on the back of each end of the main tank, with intake tubes reaching down as low as possible (without sucking up sand), for mechanical filtration to keep tank sand bottom clean.
In tanks where holes already drilled through bottom of tank, usually in one back corner of tank, you will also find glass panels all around one hole, reaching up all the way to the water surface, so once again, water can only be drawn from the water surface, not from tank bottom.