overflows, sumps

yellowbird · 03/18/2009, 07:12 PM

Has anyone ever had the bad luck of an overflow losing siphon and flooding your living room? I have a Tidepool filter/sump, and although I'm not going to use the sump/filter part of the set up, since my tank is not drilled, I was thinking about using the siphon overflow. Suggestions? Should I get the tank drilled? I like the idea of the overflow having some skimming benefits. I've read the 3-part series on sumps and overflows, but I'm still not sure where I want to go. Thanks, Don

misiek · 03/18/2009, 07:44 PM

You should have just gotten the tank drilled It seems like the BEST way to go... (make sure your tank is not tempered glass before drilling ) ... but if you want a Box you should look into the lifereef overflows I had on my first 75G tank, it never lost siphon. http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html

Good luck ...

Cbravo212 · 03/18/2009, 08:20 PM

I just got my overflow box from glass holes. They have a pretty good design and the drill bits came with the package. Now I consider myself a pretty good handyman around the house, but I was still a little hesitant to drill my own tank. They made it so easy it was rediculous.

What I was worried about the most was the bit "walking" on me. But it came with a piece of pressed wood to use as a template. Clamp it down and drill away.

I would drill your tank, or have someone do it. I now have nothing over the back at all. Drilled the return also.

Good luck in whatever you do.

kraze3 · 03/18/2009, 08:23 PM

Becareful drilling a 55. SOme are ALL tempered glass. You need to contact the maker and find out before drilling.

longdangler · 03/18/2009, 09:40 PM

I've had an overflow box for years without any problem. Just make sure if you have a prefliter that you keep it clean. You don't want debris slowing down your flow and causing it to run out of the box. I have never had that happen personally. I clean my prefilter weekly and have been running it for 8+ years

Michael · 03/19/2009, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by longdangler
I've had an overflow box for years without any problem. Just make sure if you have a prefliter that you keep it clean. You don't want debris slowing down your flow and causing it to run out of the box. I have never had that happen personally. I clean my prefilter weekly and have been running it for 8+ years

i agree, i also switch mine off every 6 months and clean it out and replace the pipes, never had a problem with a hang on myself

03/18/2009, 07:12 PM	#1
yellowbird Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wyoming Posts: 19	overflows, sumps Has anyone ever had the bad luck of an overflow losing siphon and flooding your living room? I have a Tidepool filter/sump, and although I'm not going to use the sump/filter part of the set up, since my tank is not drilled, I was thinking about using the siphon overflow. Suggestions? Should I get the tank drilled? I like the idea of the overflow having some skimming benefits. I've read the 3-part series on sumps and overflows, but I'm still not sure where I want to go. Thanks, Don

03/18/2009, 07:44 PM	#2
misiek Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bensenville,IL Posts: 243	You should have just gotten the tank drilled It seems like the BEST way to go... (make sure your tank is not tempered glass before drilling ) ... but if you want a Box you should look into the lifereef overflows I had on my first 75G tank, it never lost siphon. http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html Good luck ... __________________ Bart

03/18/2009, 08:20 PM	#3
Cbravo212 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tidewater Area, VA Posts: 264	I just got my overflow box from glass holes. They have a pretty good design and the drill bits came with the package. Now I consider myself a pretty good handyman around the house, but I was still a little hesitant to drill my own tank. They made it so easy it was rediculous. What I was worried about the most was the bit "walking" on me. But it came with a piece of pressed wood to use as a template. Clamp it down and drill away. I would drill your tank, or have someone do it. I now have nothing over the back at all. Drilled the return also. Good luck in whatever you do. __________________ -- Mike "If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking." - General George Patton Jr Current Tank Info: 38gal, 10 gal sump, 4 gal refugium

03/18/2009, 08:23 PM	#4
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	Becareful drilling a 55. SOme are ALL tempered glass. You need to contact the maker and find out before drilling.

03/18/2009, 09:40 PM	#5
longdangler Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Omaha,NE Posts: 224	I've had an overflow box for years without any problem. Just make sure if you have a prefliter that you keep it clean. You don't want debris slowing down your flow and causing it to run out of the box. I have never had that happen personally. I clean my prefilter weekly and have been running it for 8+ years