Emergency Drain vs Catch basket

Joel_155 · 12/01/2011, 09:07 PM

Hey All,
So I wanted to see how many of you have emergency drains. Now I get the idea behind it but couldn't you just solve the same problem by creating a catch basket made out of egg crate in your drain?

I figure the main reason for an emergency drain is that a fish could get stuck in the overflow, die and then the ammonia produced could crash the tank. So with this I a question. What other item could get stuck in your drain (assuming your using a DT, sump and refugium) other than a fish causing it to get clogged. Wouldn't you be able to solve this problem by just making a small "basket" out of egg crate that would sit in your drain above the return lines? I'm all about preparing for every possible disaster in this but I'm just trying to think what the "basket"wouldn't catch that would facilitate the need for a second emergency drain.

Thanks for all the feedback in advance.

Joel

jason2459 · 12/01/2011, 11:47 PM

Just about anything could eventually clog it like an artery. Build up of little growths, catching aglae, algae growth on your catch, snails, fish, etc.

Here's a great setup that I just implemented and don't have to worry about it.
Silent and Failsafe Overflow System
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1541946

12/01/2011, 09:07 PM	#1
Joel_155 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,402	Emergency Drain vs Catch basket Hey All, So I wanted to see how many of you have emergency drains. Now I get the idea behind it but couldn't you just solve the same problem by creating a catch basket made out of egg crate in your drain? I figure the main reason for an emergency drain is that a fish could get stuck in the overflow, die and then the ammonia produced could crash the tank. So with this I a question. What other item could get stuck in your drain (assuming your using a DT, sump and refugium) other than a fish causing it to get clogged. Wouldn't you be able to solve this problem by just making a small "basket" out of egg crate that would sit in your drain above the return lines? I'm all about preparing for every possible disaster in this but I'm just trying to think what the "basket"wouldn't catch that would facilitate the need for a second emergency drain. Thanks for all the feedback in advance. Joel

12/01/2011, 11:47 PM	#2
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	Just about anything could eventually clog it like an artery. Build up of little growths, catching aglae, algae growth on your catch, snails, fish, etc. Here's a great setup that I just implemented and don't have to worry about it. Silent and Failsafe Overflow System http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1541946 __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

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