overflow box

[cavipower1]

okay i know that over flow boxes are notorious for losing siphon adn then thus flooding all of ur floor lol. would it be possible to inculde a small small pump in the over flow box to always keep water flowing through the u tubes that go over the tank? i have a flat back hex and i was told it is tempered so drilling i think it outta the question and i have an acrylic sump that was given to me and id really like to use it. is this my only option?

[tony]

not sure if it will work with a hang on overflow but what about drilling a hole just below the water level you want to maintain? in this case as soon as the water gets below that hole it will cause a loss in suction therefore rendering the overflow non effective.

[cavipower1]

yea that sounds pretty good ive heard some ppl use those over flow boxes without any hiccups maybe i should just try it out and see how it w*orks for me before i go and start messing around with drilling the tank though seeing as how it might damage it

[prof]

The back of the tank is probably not tempered. You could drill the back.

[caferacermike]

I've never, I mean NEVER had a single issue with my HOT overflow. nothing. Never had it back up, lose suction, dump water, nothing. I think it's important to get a good one as I've heard all these horror stories but never actually seen any problems. Make sure that the back of the overflow has a compartment deep enough to keep the ends of the U-tubes submersed after a power outage, doing this ensures the proper flow once the power returns. You can easily raise the water level in the back of any overflow using a little bit of PVC pipe or a simple thread fitting.

Again in 4 years I've not once had an issue with a dual 1" overflow and an Eheim 1262 return. I'll fight that statement to death.

[cavipower1]

well i was looking aat some at alamo aquatics and texas tropical ill prolly get the single tube one seeing as my tank isnt that big any ways

[PeeJ]

Neither have I. Only "issue" I encountered were flow limitations. A well maintained U-tube should work without issue.


I've never, I mean NEVER had a single issue with my HOT overflow. nothing. Never had it back up, lose suction, dump water, nothing. I think it's important to get a good one as I've heard all these horror stories but never actually seen any problems. Make sure that the back of the overflow has a compartment deep enough to keep the ends of the U-tubes submersed after a power outage, doing this ensures the proper flow once the power returns. You can easily raise the water level in the back of any overflow using a little bit of PVC pipe or a simple thread fitting.

Again in 4 years I've not once had an issue with a dual 1" overflow and an Eheim 1262 return. I'll fight that statement to death.

[cavipower1]

i have a 32 gallon flat back hex would it be better to get two u tubes or just one?

[MissT]

depends on your return pump

[caferacermike]

Each 1" tube is regarded at 600GPH. You'd be fine with a single tube as 900GPH would be way to much flow through a sump. Just match your return pump somewhere between 300-700GPH and you should be fine. Determining what pump would be difficult until you know what you want from your sump/skimmer/fuge etc... I have extra sumps avail. They are mighty large and would not fit under your stand but if interested.

[erikharrison]

We had about 1 gallon get out of our display. I was messing with the overflow box, and caused it to lose suction. That should be the only time it will ever lose suction. As a fail-safe, I have my inlet for my return fairly close to the surface, so if it does lose suction, the tank can hold the excess, although I would lose a mag. I would much rather lose a mag than my carpet. :)

[cavipower1]

cool i guess ill just need find one in my price range

[PeeJ]

Alternatively, you could purchase a float switch and safe yourself on both counts.


We had about 1 gallon get out of our display. I was messing with the overflow box, and caused it to lose suction. That should be the only time it will ever lose suction. As a fail-safe, I have my inlet for my return fairly close to the surface, so if it does lose suction, the tank can hold the excess, although I would lose a mag. I would much rather lose a mag than my carpet. :)

[cavipower1]

lol will one of those float switches from like a feed store do? lol dont know were else toget em

[jl1199]

What brand is your hex tank because Have one that I am about to get drilled for a calfo and for the returns? My tank is an oceanic.

[cavipower1]

wow i have no idea really to tell u the truth its kind of old i just resealed it cuz most of the silicone was peeeling off, so far so good

[emac]

if your going to put an overflow on it and you want to make sure that nothing will overflow, why not just run a test case. like worst case type thing. oh and make sure you keep the return nozzle very close to the water lvl

[cavipower1]

good idea thanks man, well i just aquired an overflow box i guess time to do some plumbing and get a pump and test it all out lol

[cavipower1]

the overflow that i got sits kinda low in my tank, can i cut some of it off to make it shorter? so it doesnt hang as low? i asked on nano reef but didnt really get an answer, thanks!Q

[sharkbait29]

how big is your tank and what brand of overflow do you have? I'm in the process of looking for a reliable one for my 180...