Is this true? I am making an overflow but if it's really better I will make two overflows in my tank
Is it better to install 2 overflows if ever one of them clogs?
- Thread starter Death03
- Start date
i think 1 overflow with my tank is enough, but i'm afraid of the statements of the others that they have clogged overflows? will that happen often? I will only have 1/2" or 3/4" overflow so i think it will really clog if something will go in there.
Small diameter overflow pipes can easily clog. I have personal experience with this happening with 1/2" pvc more than once.
In fact not only overflows, but incoming water pipes as well.
I try to exercise my incoming valves daily for the same reasons as they can clog.
All it takes is 1 tiny snail to loge itself in a bend, and plant debris, gunk, an unnoticed dead fish, etc, etc, can build up to a point that a tank will overflow, and then starve a pump into overheating if not quickly noticed.
I now drill all tanks with for 1 &1/2" overflows, even tanks as small as 20 gallon.
If you are very diligent, at brushing and cleaning out overflows daily to prevent such occurrences, and if flow is light, then you may not need to go large.
But having a safety overflow is recommended
There is a wonderful book called
Aquatic Systems Engineering: Devices and How They Function
by Pedro Escobal
It explains the do's and don'ts of filters, heating, lighting, pipe sizing, "redundancy" etc etc
It is at times, a bit technical, but as the hobby evolves for you, it can be an invaluable tool in decision making.
I bought it almost 20 years ago, and find it very useful,
I have seen it for sale on Amazon.
In fact not only overflows, but incoming water pipes as well.
I try to exercise my incoming valves daily for the same reasons as they can clog.
All it takes is 1 tiny snail to loge itself in a bend, and plant debris, gunk, an unnoticed dead fish, etc, etc, can build up to a point that a tank will overflow, and then starve a pump into overheating if not quickly noticed.
I now drill all tanks with for 1 &1/2" overflows, even tanks as small as 20 gallon.
If you are very diligent, at brushing and cleaning out overflows daily to prevent such occurrences, and if flow is light, then you may not need to go large.
But having a safety overflow is recommended
There is a wonderful book called
Aquatic Systems Engineering: Devices and How They Function
by Pedro Escobal
It explains the do's and don'ts of filters, heating, lighting, pipe sizing, "redundancy" etc etc
It is at times, a bit technical, but as the hobby evolves for you, it can be an invaluable tool in decision making.
I bought it almost 20 years ago, and find it very useful,
I have seen it for sale on Amazon.
The "safest" overflow is called a herbie overflow. It uses 3 drains for totally silent and fail safe operation incase one gets clogged. You have one drain on full siphon, one just trickling excess and one emergency drain. Google herbie pipe or herbie overflow and you will see how its done. Very popular with reefers but slightly overkill for most setups
Small diameter overflow pipes can easily clog. I have personal experience with this happening with 1/2" pvc more than once.
In fact not only overflows, but incoming water pipes as well.
I try to exercise my incoming valves daily for the same reasons as they can clog.
All it takes is 1 tiny snail to loge itself in a bend, and plant debris, gunk, an unnoticed dead fish, etc, etc, can build up to a point that a tank will overflow, and then starve a pump into overheating if not quickly noticed.
I now drill all tanks with for 1 &1/2" overflows, even tanks as small as 20 gallon.
If you are very diligent, at brushing and cleaning out overflows daily to prevent such occurrences, and if flow is light, then you may not need to go large.
But having a safety overflow is recommended
There is a wonderful book called
Aquatic Systems Engineering: Devices and How They Function
by Pedro Escobal
It explains the do's and don'ts of filters, heating, lighting, pipe sizing, "redundancy" etc etc
It is at times, a bit technical, but as the hobby evolves for you, it can be an invaluable tool in decision making.
I bought it almost 20 years ago, and find it very useful,
I have seen it for sale on Amazon.
I really really want my tanks to be drilled but I can't afford to do so. I don't have a drill and I can't afford a drill haha
herbie overflow is a great idea but I really can't drill my tank. I would like to do this type of overflow sometime in the future. It's the safest type of overflow I've seen so far
Or if I cover the in of the overflow with a mesh bag or something will the chance of clogging the overflow will lessen?
Or is it better that I would make an emergency overflow that is higher by an inch or 2 of the main overflow?
Or is it better that I would make an emergency overflow that is higher by an inch or 2 of the main overflow?