Non-Drilled Sump/Fuge?

[elm0]

Just wondering what my options are for a sump/fuge without drilling my tank, I've been reluctant to do anything like that because i work long hours and am concerned of having a leak or overflow and flooding my apt, but the more research I do, it seems that it is really the way to go for a successful reef. I do plan on upgrading later on to a bigger tank with built in overflows and all, but for now i'm trying to learn as much as I can with my 46G Bow. I would like to include a sump/fuge into my existing system but dont want to have to drill the tank.....do I have any other options?

[Ram_Puppy]

You can have Dan make you an overflow, basically a box that siphons water out of your tank continuously. The overflow has a skimmer box on the inside, and another box on the outside, and an upside down U shape tube siphons the water out, the two boxs form a siphon break should the power fail, preventing overflows onto your nice floors. However, I think in general, overflow boxes are considered MORE risky than a bulkhead. If your tank is allready set up howver, drilling it is obviously not an option, if it isn't set up, have it drilled, it's the better of the two worlds. But if you must have an overflow box, dan is the man.

[elm0]

Sounds kinda complicated, is this something that would hang on the tank or is it actually built into the tank like i see most overflows...my tank is already set up and pretty full of LR so I dont have a whole lot of room to sacrifice.....I wonder how much he would charge for something like that

[brianK]

The hangon overflow just overhangs the side of the tank, on the inside and outside. The box on the inside has what looks like sawtooth "teeth" at the top to skim the water as it flows into the inside box. Within the tank itself the overflow box takes up a minimal amount of space in a corner.

I presently have a hangon overflow flowing to a 12.5 gal Rubbermaid container under the stand of my 58 Gal tank. Then I have a Mag7 return pump sending the water back to the main tank, using an in-sump Remora protein skimmer within the sump.

The setup seems to be working pretty good so far....

Brian

[dan]

there are lots of tanks out there that are not drilled and they are full blown reefs. it's just a matter of getting water out of your tank to a sump and fug. you can do this very easy with an overflow prefilter. this overflow also acts as a surface skimmer which is very important in a salt water tank. fish only or a reef. if you need more info just send me a pm. i can build any thing you need for your tank in the way of filter,fuge and the hang on prefilter. if you have the tank drilled, i also build the overflow that you would silicone inside the tank. in any color. no pink :-D :-D

[Ram_Puppy]

you are awesome dan. :)

[GaryP]

Please don't mention pink overflows to my wife. She has already trying to "balance" the colors in my tank.

Gary

[Ram_Puppy]

whats your phone number gary? :) lol

[elm0]

I presently have a hangon overflow flowing to a 12.5 gal Rubbermaid container under the stand of my 58 Gal tank. Then I have a Mag7 return pump sending the water back to the main tank, using an in-sump Remora protein skimmer within the sump.

Is there a company that sells a premade hangon overflow?, would a 10 gallon tank suffice for both my fuge and sump? I have to silicone in glass partitions into the tank if I want to use the 10 gallon for both sump and fuge, right? Do I only need the on pump for return to the tank, I'm currently using a prizm pro delux hangon skimmer, can i contunue to use it on the sump or do i have to use a in sump skimmer....thanks for the info

[elm0]

Bump

[elm0]

Any other suggestions?

[oceancube]

my suggestion is..... go to DAN'S HOUSE!!

[astrong]

I have a preloved hang on fuge sitting around some where, if you want it, its yours, cheap. I can give you measurements, etc. if you are interested.

[matt]

Dan's overflows are fully made, you just hang it on your tank and off you go. They're much better than the CPR type overflows.

As far as the 10 gallon sump/fuge combination, it's too small to be effective at both. You need a sump area that's large enough to handle the drain from your tank when the power is off, and you want as much refugium space as is possible. You best bet is to have Dan design something that will fit in your stand and do the job. There's another issue; your return pump will either be a submersible sitting in your sump, or an external which attaches to your sump with a bulkhead fitting. The external pumps are MUCH higher quality, and I would strongly suggest you use one. Your skimmer can hang on the sump provided there's anough vertical space to allow for it.

Sounds like you should go visit someone who has a set up like this so you can see how it works. No external overflow is as reliable as an internal overflow, but Dan's are about as close as you can get.

[btacker]

When I had my 46 bow, I used a CPR Hang on fuge and a aquac remora with surface skimmer box. It may be a little more expensive of an option, but it worked really well for me.

You have already been to my house once, if you want to come back and look closer at my 110 sump / fuge setup, just let me know.

[OldSalty]

Ive had a hang-on over flow for 10 years on my 100. It has NEVER stoped or caused problems. however i,d use the largest overflow tubes you can find. I made one myself out of 1/1/2 " pvc pipe. small u-tubes tend to collect air at the top and can stop if you dont check them regularly.

one more suggestion GO SEE DAN! :D

[ansonluna]

Hey everyone. I recently got a 125 gal (Pete is building the hood for me), and I really, REALLY want to turn it into a salt water tank and eventually reef tank. When I pick up the hood from Pete he said he would show me how the filtration system works in his aquarium. I have a basic idea of how is works, but no idea how to get started. I have had fresh fish for about three years and I am ready to move up in the world of fishery, but the only thing I have experience in is hanging Emperors on the back and sticking canister filters underneith the tanks. Maybe Dan can have a little work shop at his house for us newbies. Its can be a two fold event, We can learn a little something and Dan can get some buisness ($$).

[elm0]

What about these marineland Tidepool filter/sumps? Does anyone have any experience with them? Looks like they have a hang on overflow you can use with them as well.

[NaCl_H2O]

What about these marineland Tidepool filter/sumps? Does anyone have any experience with them? Looks like they have a hang on overflow you can use with them as well.

I hade a Tidepool years ago on a freshwater system. It was OK for a FW system, but saltcreep would be horrible on a SW :o Also, quality isn't that great - mine lasted about 2 years before the trays were cracking.

I have used various hangon overflows for many years, and as Jim stated they work fine. But YOU DO need to check them daily for proper flow and siphon. If the siphon stops or water flow is obstructed due to algae growth, etc. they can flood your house. But so can a drilled setup.

Dan can size the overflow to your tank, and make you a great sump/fuge. Or use an old 20-50g tank for your sump.