Overflow...........
- Thread starter warlockgp
- Start date
nm reef
Active Member
There are a few kinds...those that hang on the back(HOB) and those that are drilled thru the tank. The purpose of both is to allow water to be removed and returned back which creats turnover or circulation. In nature the ocean is never still and currents are always present....overflows are one of many ways to re-create a natural environment.:thinking:
...and no we don't get tired of questions...and I don't believe any question is stupid...just the one that is not asked.
...and no we don't get tired of questions...and I don't believe any question is stupid...just the one that is not asked.
squidd
Active Member
An over flow is generaly used in conjunction with an external tank or filtration "system...such as a sump or refugium or wet/dry or any combination or series of said units.
These external tanks generaly have a return pump in them to move water into your main tank.
If these return pumps continue to add water to your tank and it has no where to go it will eventually "overflow"...over the top, the sides, the back and down to the floor, into the carpet, furniture and eventually the basement.
So, the "overflow" is a device to direct this extra water back to the external tank.
They generaly come in two types with many variations...ie:internal or drilled, or external or over the top/hang on back.
The internal or drilled system generaly consists of a hole drilled in the botom of the tank with a waterproof 'bulkhead" installed and a riser tube to set water depth...or it may have a built in "corner box"
installed in the tank to set water depth and the water returns through a 'stockman" or "Durso' pipe or may just drain through the bulkhead and return line.
The external or over the top system consists of two "boxes" one inside one outside the tank, with a "U" tube connecting the two to create and maintain a siphon effect...moving the water from inside the tank to the outside box where it can then drain down to the external tank/system through the above named pipes and drain lines.
Don't you just hate overly complex answers to a simple question???
These external tanks generaly have a return pump in them to move water into your main tank.
If these return pumps continue to add water to your tank and it has no where to go it will eventually "overflow"...over the top, the sides, the back and down to the floor, into the carpet, furniture and eventually the basement.
So, the "overflow" is a device to direct this extra water back to the external tank.
They generaly come in two types with many variations...ie:internal or drilled, or external or over the top/hang on back.
The internal or drilled system generaly consists of a hole drilled in the botom of the tank with a waterproof 'bulkhead" installed and a riser tube to set water depth...or it may have a built in "corner box"
installed in the tank to set water depth and the water returns through a 'stockman" or "Durso' pipe or may just drain through the bulkhead and return line.
The external or over the top system consists of two "boxes" one inside one outside the tank, with a "U" tube connecting the two to create and maintain a siphon effect...moving the water from inside the tank to the outside box where it can then drain down to the external tank/system through the above named pipes and drain lines.
Don't you just hate overly complex answers to a simple question???
warlockgp
Member
Thanks..............
What's better, the ones that hang on the tank or the bottom one? Also how would i keep sand from going thru the hole? Does it got over the sand? I seen them now. What about tanks with like a double backing? It has a divider in the back and the LFS guy told me all Equipment get hidden back there. It's on a used tank and i might get it so i need to know what i'm really gettin into.
Any good books on tank setups that you know? I'm gonna built my own stand and stuff.............
What's better, the ones that hang on the tank or the bottom one? Also how would i keep sand from going thru the hole? Does it got over the sand? I seen them now. What about tanks with like a double backing? It has a divider in the back and the LFS guy told me all Equipment get hidden back there. It's on a used tank and i might get it so i need to know what i'm really gettin into.
Any good books on tank setups that you know? I'm gonna built my own stand and stuff.............
squidd
Active Member
If the tank is drilled or can be drilled to accept an over flow (not tempered glass) then most believe the internal overflow is better...However they do take up room "in" the tank. Where as the HOB overflow is generally a smaller box hanging in a corner.
A drilled tank will have a "bulkhead" fitting (which makes a waterproof seal) and then a "pipe" of some sort to set water height, so no sand will plug or drain through the hole.
Depending on the height of the double back, it could be "boxed off" and drilled to create a corner over flow and still leave room for other equipment...However if using a sump in conjunction with the over flow, most would put extra equipment in the sump...ie: heaters,skimmer...etc.
If you go that route AND use a HOB over flow you might be able to "cut" the false back out and gain valuable real estate in the main tank...(something to look at/ask about)
HTH
A drilled tank will have a "bulkhead" fitting (which makes a waterproof seal) and then a "pipe" of some sort to set water height, so no sand will plug or drain through the hole.
Depending on the height of the double back, it could be "boxed off" and drilled to create a corner over flow and still leave room for other equipment...However if using a sump in conjunction with the over flow, most would put extra equipment in the sump...ie: heaters,skimmer...etc.
If you go that route AND use a HOB over flow you might be able to "cut" the false back out and gain valuable real estate in the main tank...(something to look at/ask about)
HTH
warlockgp
Member
Thanks a lot. I'll go and talk to them about it. Hopefully it's about the right measurements too. (About 48" long and 100G +).
Not that most of you haven't notice but his is sooooooooooooooooo adicting.
I need counseling................
Accept it we all got problems........
Well later anyways, i got to go order my LR
Not that most of you haven't notice but his is sooooooooooooooooo adicting.
I need counseling................
Accept it we all got problems........
Well later anyways, i got to go order my LR
lesleybird
Active Member
The two main adantages to having an overflow: The water on the surface of the tank is constantly moving and going over the overflow so that new water is always on the surface of your tank. Secondly, this keeps the oxygen saturation high and also keeps the oils and particals that normally float on the surface away. Saltwater creatures require very high dissoulved oxygen saturtion levels to thrive and this is usually not done by airstones like in a fresh water tank which are not all that effective anyway. The overflow also provides the chance to put a wet/dry filter in which has bioballs, or some other type of media like biochem stars etc. to grow a lot of amonia and nitrite reducing bacteria in an oxygen rich environment were they florish. Lesley