Importance of overflow emergency drain?

[johnny potatoes]

Is that inside the tank or the overflow box? My cichlids are thugs too!

@OP: When I read the thread title, I figured an emergency drain was going to be installed in your sump so as not to overflow if the power goes out or a pump dies, etc. I think I read this is your first sump so I would advise you to make sure that your sump does not overflow when the pump is off. It is a common beginer mistake and wet floors are a pain to deal with. GL with your project.

I was thinking the same thing, also if you space out when filling after a water change. This way your sump won't overflow

 

[slippery slimecoat]

Thanks for all the input guys. I can see where you thought I may had been talking about the sump. I actually plan on setting it all up and doing a test run in my garage before finally setting it up in the house. Thought that would give me a chance to get used to everything with less risk. I have thought about drilling the sump for a drain line for an auto drip system. But that would be down the road sometime. Figure I have enough to deal with for now lol

 

[slippery slimecoat]

And since I'm throwing newbie questions... I have another lol. What would you all do with this for mechanical filtration? I've thought about taking the plastic piece out and running a filter sock. Also thought about poret foam cut to fit rather than socks. Suggestions are welcomed.

 

[rodger]

Socks are better. When you have to remove the poret to clean it a lot of really dirty water will drain into your sump. And I am the biggest fan of Poret in the USA