sumps.
- Thread starter jay0705
- Start date
lmforbis
Well-Known Member
When I ordered my new tank a couple weeks ago I went in to the LFS planning to get standard tank and use an overflow but after seeing how the predrilled worked I ordered that. All the plumbing is on the bottom of mine and so easy to plumb. I can also put the tank close to the wall. I don't know how well it works as it isn't hooked up to the sump yet but it doesn't leak which is a plus.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Back in the day I used to only use external overflows and then one day the siphon broke and the display tank flooded, the sump emptied and the heater cracked. The pump blew up. All while I was at work. I decided then and there that I would never own a tank that wasn't drilled.
I then moved on to standard reef ready tanks and that was great for a little while. The big overflows with the splashing water- there wasn't such a thing as durso back the hat I was aware of. Then I started my old fish store and started drilling holes in tanks and doing a simple overflow in one or two corners with just PVC pipe. It was noisy but worked.
Then EricB introduced me to glass holes overflows and I put one of those on my personal 75g tank. Then he moved on to coast to coast with beananimal overflow. Well, I replicated the bean animal overflow on my new tank and I couldnt be happier with the design. It's quiet and was not as difficult as I imagined.
Anyways, I hope this helped.
I then moved on to standard reef ready tanks and that was great for a little while. The big overflows with the splashing water- there wasn't such a thing as durso back the hat I was aware of. Then I started my old fish store and started drilling holes in tanks and doing a simple overflow in one or two corners with just PVC pipe. It was noisy but worked.
Then EricB introduced me to glass holes overflows and I put one of those on my personal 75g tank. Then he moved on to coast to coast with beananimal overflow. Well, I replicated the bean animal overflow on my new tank and I couldnt be happier with the design. It's quiet and was not as difficult as I imagined.
Anyways, I hope this helped.
pegasus
Well-Known Member
Only if you want to ruin a perfectly good tank... lol! Most (new) standard tanks come with tempered glass on the bottom. You might find some that are tempered all the way around, but highly unlikely. There will be a sticker on the panel telling if it's tempered or not.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I take that back, a few years ago I did have a 20g with an eshoppes overflow and I never had issues with it.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I drilled a ten gallon tank that had tempered glass last month. It's possible but very risky. I wouldn't do it again. Especially on an expensive tank.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
It is possible to (and to me recommended) to adjust the sump level so that the pump runs out of water during a drain failure before the display floods.
But pumps can burn up when that happens also. So I guess some kind of float valve to turn off the pump would be a good idea.
Also FWIW ATOs can cause floods as they kick in when the sump level is low. If that low is being caused by a drain failure (blockage or siphon break) the ato water will probably be enough to flood the display even if the sump is adjusted correctly.
my .02
But pumps can burn up when that happens also. So I guess some kind of float valve to turn off the pump would be a good idea.
Also FWIW ATOs can cause floods as they kick in when the sump level is low. If that low is being caused by a drain failure (blockage or siphon break) the ato water will probably be enough to flood the display even if the sump is adjusted correctly.
my .02
silverado61
Well-Known Member
If you have over flows in the display then it won't flood no matter what you or the sump or the pump does.
The ATO I have shuts off if it detects any variations, malfunctions or runs out of water. I keep the level in my sump at the point where if it ever did malfunction and the water rose past my flood stag mark, it would only pump in an extra 3 gallons of water and at 100 gallons total water volume my salinity should only drop from 1.025 to maybe 1.023
At least that's what I figure.
bang guy
Moderator
I agree except for the salinity estimate. Your salinity would probably drop from 35ppt to 35ppt. Seriously, there would be no effect.
silverado61
Well-Known Member
Even better!
Seriously, there's got to be some effect. No matter how small. No matter how immeasurable. there's got to be difference in gravity. It's dilution to the smallest power..... kinda. I'm no scientist but it's logical that there would be even a teenie tiny drop.
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silverado61
Well-Known Member
I knew you'd figure out. I had faith in ya. I wouldn't even begin to know the math. I'm better at logic and I'm not too good at that either. I just think things through.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
but does the return pump turn off if the display level is high?
Consider the case where the overflow is blocked.
Sump water goes down and is properly adjusted so it runs out of water before the display floods.
But with an ATO the ato kicks in thinking the sump is low due to evaporation.
so more water is pumped back to the display and water in the ato is added to the display level. With any appreciable amount of ato water a flood results.
Unless you add a display water level sensor to turn off the return pump before the display floods.
my .02
silverado61
Well-Known Member
If you have just an open tube bulkhead for an over flow there is a possibility yes. But then you'd also have snails, fish and anything small enough being washed down the pipes. With a proper overflow box, chances of a total blockage are what... 1 in 20,000? The odds are probably much higher but for the sake of argument I shot low.
Which makes the rest a moot point.
Which makes the rest a moot point.