Overflow Q

[vman181]

I posted this in the NH and I thought I would also try here.
I have a Q on an overflow for/with a sump. I am not under standing the need or how it works. I have been surfing the DIY forums but can’t seam to get it. I plane on making a sump out of an old 10gal tank for my 55gal FOWLR. I have all the directions and input I need (I think) on how to make the sump. Any help on an overflow would be great.
V

 

[wamp]

An overflow allows water in the tank to stay at a constant level while draning water into the sump. If you were to use just a tube and siphon it, the tank would drain faster than the return pump would pump the water back up OR the pump would pump it back too fast overflowing the tank.
I tried the tube once. It worked for about an hour and then the sump overflower. It's next to immposible to balace it.

 

[vman181]

wamp
What about using a valve to control the flow of water going both ways.
V

 

[vman181]

any one have any ideas on DIY on this
Thanks
V

 

[shanev]

You can build your own overflow, or drill your own tank, but ANY other method is almost guaranteed to fail. IMO, gravity is the only way to keep the flow going to the sump and the flow going back to the tank in sync long term.