Overflows compared

[FishFlake]

Can someone explain the essential differences between the DIY PVC overflow and the one illustrated by Chompers in the "DIY Overflow 101 - The Mysteries Explained" sticky? His is posted at the bottom of the page. I see that one draws water from the surface and the other from below the surface. Otherwise, is one better than the other?

Thanks

 

[mcox3]

Can someone explain the essential differences between the DIY PVC overflow and the one illustrated by Chompers in the "DIY Overflow 101 - The Mysteries Explained" sticky? His is posted at the bottom of the page. I see that one draws water from the surface and the other from below the surface. Otherwise, is one better than the other?

Thanks

I would also like to know the difference...

I would rather pull water from the bottom than the top, but I have never expiremented with that set up. In-action pics would be helpful too.

 

[surfpalmsncycads]

x3

 

[Mtaters]

x4

 

[karak]

Read the pipe sizing chart sticky

 

[FishFlake]

Thanks karak. I read the sticky, but didn't see an answer to my question. Did I miss something? I just want to know why someone would choose one of these overflows over the other? Is there an advantage to one over the other?

 

[ar0wan]

you're overthinking it
the top draw doubles as a surface skimmer
the bottom draw adds a length of tube
to help with mech filtration

 

[FishFlake]

Yes, that is what was apparent to me in the beginning. I was just wondering if there was something more than that that I wasn't seeing.

Thanks

 

[Willz]

Yes, that is what was apparent to me in the beginning. I was just wondering if there was something more than that that I wasn't seeing.

Thanks

The one that draws from the surface handles more GPH. I just built the 2nd kind out of 1.25" PVC and was hoping to get a lot more flow than I actually got (about 400 GPH each). I don't know about the surface skimmer one, since I haven't actually used it, but I think it uses a siphon which is quicker and pulls more water.

 

[Willz]

The surface skimmer one uses the vertical pipe flow charts and the one that pulls from the water column use the horizontal pipe flow chart. Not sure why, that is what Chompers put in his sticky (which I cut and pasted here). See his sticky for the flow charts.

In this application, you would use the chart for Vertical Flow.







In this application, you would use the chart for Horizontal Flow.