Recommendations for overflow

[Scrappy71113]

Okay, so getting a bit desperate.
I have sump filters on 2 of my tanks. I run a pretty tight budget, so when I set them up, I used a build I saw on YouTube that used PVC pipe and an aqua lifter and managed to save a pretty good chunk of money. However, I've had both aqua lifters go out, both times resulting in my carpet getting soaked. The most recent one went out yesterday.
I've been looking at overflow boxes, but those things run really high for a little acrylic box.
That being said, so is trying to find a replacement for the aqua lifters. Thank goodness I keep spares of everything! I have already looked into getting the Avast dosing pump, but they are currently unavailable I think it would be cheaper in the long run just getting an overflow box. I'm wondering if there's any alternatives that might be cheaper?

*On a side note, unfortunately I have cheap tanks that can't be drilled, so that's out of the question.

 

[duanes]

If your tanks are "not" tempered glass.
I recommend drilling.
With a good diamond bit, up to 8 tanks can be drilled, saving a ton on overflow boxes, and a lot of grief from PVC overflows that fail.
Once I started drilling, and found out how easy it is, I couldn't believe the time, wet floors, and money I wasted on other less efficient methods.
I also have put up to 5 tanks, on a single sump (old scratched up low cost tank), with a single strong pump.

 

[Scrappy71113]

If your tanks are "not" tempered glass.
I recommend drilling.
With a good diamond bit, up to 8 tanks can be drilled, saving a ton on overflow boxes, and a lot of grief from PVC overflows that fail.
Once I started drilling, and found out how easy it is, I couldn't believe the time, wet floors, and money I wasted on other less efficient methods.
I also have put up to 5 tanks, on a single sump (old scratched up low cost tank), with a single strong pump.
View attachment 1494323

Unfortunately, my tanks are all tempered glass. I get the Petco/PetSmart tanks when they go on sale. I would absolutely love to have some drilled tanks, and one day I'll get them, but not today.
But I totally get the headache that comes with what I have. My aqua lifter went out, and I didn't realize it, then there was a power flicker, and it didn't restart, so the water got pumped into the tank and all over the floor. I replaced it with my last one. (Why does everything always go wrong while I'm sleeping or at work? ?)
I really don't want to go back to HOBs or canisters either. They just don't do the job as well as I would like.

 

[twentyleagues]

Can you set up an overhead sump? Pump in tank sump above tank.
Imo all hob overflows are a disaster waiting to happen whether they are store bought or diy. If you can't drill the tank go overhead or back to a can or hob. I hate cans, sumps are definitely the best filtration option out there, a good hob isn't bad either.

 

[Scrappy71113]

Can you set up an overhead sump? Pump in tank sump above tank.
Imo all hob overflows are a disaster waiting to happen whether they are store bought or diy. If you can't drill the tank go overhead or back to a can or hob. I hate cans, sumps are definitely the best filtration option out there, a good hob isn't bad either.

I never thought of an overhead, that might actually work out! Thank you! I'll see what I can come up with.

 

[jjohnwm]

When I google "aqua lifter" all I get is a tiny little vacuum pump with a flow rate of 3.5 gallons per hour. Is that correct? Are you actually using that to return water to the tanks from the sump? How large are these tanks? My goodness, when the 10x-per-hour-tank-turnover crowd gets wind of this, they will inform you that the system will work on nothing bigger than a 2-quart aquarium!

If you want to save money on pumps, and if your tanks are in a fish room...since this idea won't really work in most "display tank" situations...you could try setting both tanks up so that their tops are at the same level, with a third tank to act as the sump between them or along side them, also with its top at the same level. A simple siphon is set up to move water from each tank to the sump. Then a second pair of siphons is added, but with the in-tank end of each equipped with a 180-degree bend and a vertical pipe added. Dropping an airstone into that vertical pipe turns it into an airlift, which sucks water from the sump into the display tank, while the first siphon returns it to the sump for filtering. You could also set it up in reverse so that all bubbles are released in the sump rather than the display tanks, works the same way.

This won't flow as much water as a real water pump, but I guarantee you that it will put the "aqua lifter" to shame. Depending upon the size of pipe used for the siphons, and the volume of air your pump provides, you can move some serious water this way, using nothing more than a simple air pump. Air pumps are relatively cheap. There is no drilling required and the siphons are easily and cheaply constructed. Best of all: any failures do not result in water overflowing anywhere. A break in the airlift siphon simply stops the circulation; a break in the normal siphon allows an inch or two of water head to build up in the display tank, but the airlift won't pull the water much higher than that and again the system stops flowing. And while of course a power outage stops the flow, it will restart as soon as power is interrupted without requiring attention.

 

[twentyleagues]

When I google "aqua lifter" all I get is a tiny little vacuum pump with a flow rate of 3.5 gallons per hour. Is that correct? Are you actually using that to return water to the tanks from the sump? How large are these tanks? My goodness, when the 10x-per-hour-tank-turnover crowd gets wind of this, they will inform you that the system will work on nothing bigger than a 2-quart aquarium!

If you want to save money on pumps, and if your tanks are in a fish room...since this idea won't really work in most "display tank" situations...you could try setting both tanks up so that their tops are at the same level, with a third tank to act as the sump between them or along side them, also with its top at the same level. A simple siphon is set up to move water from each tank to the sump. Then a second pair of siphons is added, but with the in-tank end of each equipped with a 180-degree bend and a vertical pipe added. Dropping an airstone into that vertical pipe turns it into an airlift, which sucks water from the sump into the display tank, while the first siphon returns it to the sump for filtering. You could also set it up in reverse so that all bubbles are released in the sump rather than the display tanks, works the same way.

This won't flow as much water as a real water pump, but I guarantee you that it will put the "aqua lifter" to shame. Depending upon the size of pipe used for the siphons, and the volume of air your pump provides, you can move some serious water this way, using nothing more than a simple air pump. Air pumps are relatively cheap. There is no drilling required and the siphons are easily and cheaply constructed. Best of all: any failures do not result in water overflowing anywhere. A break in the airlift siphon simply stops the circulation; a break in the normal siphon allows an inch or two of water head to build up in the display tank, but the airlift won't pull the water much higher than that and again the system stops flowing. And while of course a power outage stops the flow, it will restart as soon as power is interrupted without requiring attention.

The aqua lifter is just there to keep the syphon going or restart it in the hob overflow. I tried a setup just like this and like I said above disaster waiting to happen.

 

[twentyleagues]

I never thought of an overhead, that might actually work out! Thank you! I'll see what I can come up with.

Yeah I got two 125s from PetSmart and was sure the end panels were not tempered so I was going to drill the ends. Once I got it home I double checked and it turns out they are tempered. So no drilling. It's taking me forever to get my fish room setup but I am actually putting a shelf above these two stacked 125s to hold the overhead sumps. It's not the first time I've done this. I got some shelf brackets that say they will hold 1000lbs/pair if attached to studs. Im using 4 in the building of the 6' shelf. The shelf will be 3/4" plywood with 2 2×4s, that should prevent any bowing. Sumps are just totes which I've used many times before. Pumps I'm using are jebao 4000. I'm in the process of making a weir inside the 125 to hide the pump and keep fish out of it. I ordered some 1/4" pvc board to make the weirs out of. Now if real life stuff would just leave me alone for a little while I might just see if this works out!

 

[jjohnwm]

The aqua lifter is just there to keep the syphon going or restart it in the hob overflow. I tried a setup just like this and like I said above disaster waiting to happen.

Aaah! Thank you! I thought that sounded hard to believe...and don't I feel silly now?

I've never tried them, but those HOB overflows always looked overly complicated and untrustworthy to me.

 

[duanes]

When I used the CPR type overflows, I would use the venturi port of a powerhead to suck air out of the overflow chamber.
It helped a lot to ensure siphon kept steady