new HOB overflow questions

[new2natives]

loading pics

 

[new2natives]

sorry my internet is being a POS all night tonight.... yeah the U looks exactly like that

 

[new2natives]

also, i added the PVC obviously

 

[rallysman]

That smaller hole need to be plugged. The chamber that has the small hole is where the U shaped piece will go. To start the overflow you'll need water in the front chamber and also in the smaller chamber on the back (where the U shaped tube goes).
Once both ends of the tube are under water you can shove an air line up to the top of the U and suck the air out of it. Once you start it you shouldn't have to mess with it at all (unless one end of the tube comes out of the water).

 

[new2natives]

ok thanks ... now whats the deal with everyone hating on overflows ...
what happens that causes them to back up?
and how can i prevent any problems

a guy told me "just drill the tank, there is 100% chance that at some point your aquarium will overflow" if i dont drill it and use a HOB instead

 

[new2natives]

any idea why that smaller hole was there? thats how it came from the manufacturer

 

[rallysman]

ok thanks ... now whats the deal with everyone hating on overflows ...
what happens that causes them to back up?
and how can i prevent any problems

a guy told me "just drill the tank, there is 100% chance that at some point your aquarium will overflow" if i dont drill it and use a HOB instead

He was wrong. I have an overflow like that one (only dual tube) that has been running for about 2 years with no problems at all. The only thing I would do is replace the U shaped tube every year so it doesn't get brittle and crack. There is a change any tank will overflow, but I've had just as much success with HOB as I have had with drilled.

as far as that small hole, I have no clue why it would be there.

 

[new2natives]

also a question ... i will be running 900 g/h through my sump ... should i add another U tube ?
it should be able to keep up right ? ? i know some overflows are "rated" for g/h, so how do you know if you buy them 2nd hand?

 

[new2natives]

BUMP ?

 

[rallysman]

You can see how long it takes to pour a gallon of water through the fitting. I would not add a second tube. The limiting point is going to be the output hole.