over flow sump NOOB question

[SumoNinja]

I've always used HOB and Canister filters and I generally understand how overflow sumps work but don't know everything inside out. I want to try either adding an overflow wet/dry sump filter or replace the HOB and Canister completely.

After some research I still have a some questions:

1) There's a box that sits in the tank and a box that sits outside of the tank and there's an overflow tube from the inside box to the outside box right? What starts the syphoning of the water from the inside box to the outside box?

2) Is the inside box necessary? Can you just have an overflow tube that goes directly into the water in the tank just below water level??

3) Is the outside box necessary? I've seen some that have a box on the outside with a sponge covering the hole to catch debri before flowing down, but why does that box have to be there if after the water flows to the sump, there are already some sponge padding before it goes to the drip tray??

4) If for whatever reason the pump stops working, how do you avoid the sump from flooding?

5) Is there guzzling noise when the water is flowing down from the overflow to the sump?

6) Is there something else I need to consider? Any other suggestions are welcome!!! Thanks in advance!!

 

[CoryWM]

You have the box on the inside and out, to store water, even when the water level drops.. Ie the power goes out... water is kept in both boxes, to keep the siphon. so when the pump starts back up, the siphon hasnt been broken. There is only a guzzlying sound if you're draining water faster than you're pumping it back in. The whole trick about sumps is to match the down flow and the upflow.... Which can be tricky, it also depends on how much media you're putting it through. if you have it just drop over some bios balls, then pump back in.... not that much time to go through that. but if you have it going through a mesh sock, then filter floss, then bio balls, then a bubble sponge, then back in, it can be slowed down a bit.

Also from my point of view. i'd still run the HoB or canister. The sumps arnt the best at filtering out gross particles. Unless you include that filter sock of mesh. which means you'll neeed to stay on top of it, so you don't cause a flood.

 

[SumoNinja]

Thanks CoryWM, I've seen pictures of people using PVC pipes, what starts or keeps the siphoning there?

 

[CoryWM]

It's been a while since i've looked at the design. But i remember it being setup, so that there was a large loop inside the aquarium, and the intake in the water, say 6 inches down. They also drill a hole about 3 inches below the water line. So that if the water drops below that point, it will suck in air and break the siphon. The Tube that is inside the tank and on the back of the tank stay full of water, through clever positioning of the pipes, and using a T connection not at the bottom of a pipe, so that it creates sort of a snake shape filled with water.


Now when the power comes back on, and sump water is pumped into the aquarium, it'll cover the hol that was drilled above the intake. now it will nolonger suck air, thus reinstating the siphon.


Now I know there are people who are way more versed in how the specifics of that design works. But I believe that is a brief overview.

 

[Gator]

Are you thinking of something like THIS? you can run that into your sump.