simple drain holes vs internal overflow box

snake · 07/24/2006, 11:06 AM

Hello guys, i'm in the process of making a new glass aquarium, but I can not decide which overflow system is better, I used to have an acrilyc hang on overlflow box, but it is always a pain when the syphon breaks.

So my question is

What works better and why?

1.- A simple drilled hole (with a trap) in one of the walls of the tank
or
2.- An overflow box build inside the tank

please advice with some pictures if you can.

Thanks

xtrstangx · 07/24/2006, 01:09 PM

I think an overflow box built into the tank looks much more "professional" and really makes the tank look good. The drains on the back wall look cheap and reminds me of standing in a fish store, JMO!

daytonians · 07/24/2006, 01:26 PM

If you are actually making a glass aquarium, I would go with a calflo style, external overflow.

snake · 07/25/2006, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by daytonians
If you are actually making a glass aquarium, I would go with a calflo style, external overflow.

thanks, i don't know the calfo's overflow could you post a link or a picture of that ?

MJAnderson · 07/25/2006, 09:47 AM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=473152

jmkarcz · 07/28/2006, 03:44 PM

I built my box in the tank, and drilled the tank for a more professional look. I also used BLACK glass - again for a professional look.

If you BUILD A BOX, yet still run a siphon cane over the side... why waste your time...

Thats why I also drilled bulkheads for all my returns as well, but don't forget check valves if you do this.

Jason

CoolUsername · 07/28/2006, 11:35 PM

Both will allow water (of any flow rate) to enter the sump. The major reason people use an overflow box is better surface skimming. Actually for a given flow rate the box with a larger perimiter will skim better than one with a smaller one. That is because the water streaming over is in a thinner sheet. Most of the gunk goes right to the surface and is a very thin sheet on top of the water. This is the most valuable water to send to the sump and skimmer.

Some people argue that not having teeth on a overflow box is an advantage for the same reason. The deepest part of the teeth is pulling water 1/2 inch below the surface and not pulling any of this surface junk. They use other means to keep the critters from getting in the box (egg crate, sponge, screens, etc)

Now I agree that surface skimming is important, but at some point even if you aren't pulling only the tiniest layer of water off the top, you will pull enough to keep anything from building up.

Obviously the disadvantage of a box is it takes up either tank space or room behind the aquarium(for an external overflow) which you might not have.

That's my $0.02

I really like this guys idea for an overflow, only I would drill the tank. Its especially fetching and blends in perfectly if you have a black background. It's also not too big, a nice tradeoff for reasonble skimming without a large sized box. Nice asthetics.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=894704

CoolUsername · 07/29/2006, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by daytonians
If you are actually making a glass aquarium, I would go with a calflo style, external overflow.

The Calfo style overflow is an internal overflow box.

snake · 08/08/2006, 07:03 AM

Well I decided a 1 1/2 " bulkhead at 1 inch from the top edge, and built a small overflow box inside, that works awsome and it is absolutely quiet no need of durso devices. I will post a picture later.

BeanAnimal · 08/08/2006, 09:34 AM

CoolUser,

the teeth also cut down on the linear distance.

The teeth are a waste of time and serve no purpose other than eye candy. They reduce the effectiveness of the overlfow.

snake · 08/08/2006, 09:55 AM

Agree, I used eggcrate instead the teeth arounf the edge of the overflow box.

CoolUsername · 08/12/2006, 01:05 AM

Yeah my current 100 gal has teeth on the overflow. I bought a sleeper goby last week. The next morning he was in the sump refugium. So it doesn't do too well at keeping the critters out either.

snake · 08/13/2006, 11:32 AM

Well this is my overflow box looks much better than a simple hole for the bulkhead

Coyle · 08/13/2006, 12:52 PM

hey snake, did you use eggcrate for the overflow teeth? thats an interesting idea.

07/24/2006, 11:06 AM	#1
snake Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Guadalajara, Mexico Posts: 242	simple drain holes vs internal overflow box Hello guys, i'm in the process of making a new glass aquarium, but I can not decide which overflow system is better, I used to have an acrilyc hang on overlflow box, but it is always a pain when the syphon breaks. So my question is What works better and why? 1.- A simple drilled hole (with a trap) in one of the walls of the tank or 2.- An overflow box build inside the tank please advice with some pictures if you can. Thanks

07/24/2006, 01:26 PM	#3
daytonians Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 394	If you are actually making a glass aquarium, I would go with a calflo style, external overflow. __________________ Thanks, Matt I'ld rather be in Daytona! Avatar: Photo taken with model Asia Williams posing on my car. Current Tank Info: 45 Gallon, LR, power head, custom hood with 140 watts PC light & 175 MH, basement has 29 g. fuge with 6" sand & caluerpa, 20 g. cryptic fuge with 4 inch sand bed & LR, carbon & Phos remover, 55 gallon sump.

07/28/2006, 11:35 PM	#7
CoolUsername Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 510	Both will allow water (of any flow rate) to enter the sump. The major reason people use an overflow box is better surface skimming. Actually for a given flow rate the box with a larger perimiter will skim better than one with a smaller one. That is because the water streaming over is in a thinner sheet. Most of the gunk goes right to the surface and is a very thin sheet on top of the water. This is the most valuable water to send to the sump and skimmer. Some people argue that not having teeth on a overflow box is an advantage for the same reason. The deepest part of the teeth is pulling water 1/2 inch below the surface and not pulling any of this surface junk. They use other means to keep the critters from getting in the box (egg crate, sponge, screens, etc) Now I agree that surface skimming is important, but at some point even if you aren't pulling only the tiniest layer of water off the top, you will pull enough to keep anything from building up. Obviously the disadvantage of a box is it takes up either tank space or room behind the aquarium(for an external overflow) which you might not have. That's my $0.02 I really like this guys idea for an overflow, only I would drill the tank. Its especially fetching and blends in perfectly if you have a black background. It's also not too big, a nice tradeoff for reasonble skimming without a large sized box. Nice asthetics. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=894704 __________________ What if the hokey pokey is what it's all about. Current Tank Info: 100 G. Acrylic in wall (35 gallon sump), 20 gal. AGA (sumpless)

08/12/2006, 01:05 AM	#12
CoolUsername Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 510	Yeah my current 100 gal has teeth on the overflow. I bought a sleeper goby last week. The next morning he was in the sump refugium. So it doesn't do too well at keeping the critters out either. __________________ What if the hokey pokey is what it's all about. Current Tank Info: 100 G. Acrylic in wall (35 gallon sump), 20 gal. AGA (sumpless)

08/13/2006, 11:32 AM	#13
snake Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Guadalajara, Mexico Posts: 242	Here is mine Well this is my overflow box looks much better than a simple hole for the bulkhead

07/24/2006, 01:09 PM	#2
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	I think an overflow box built into the tank looks much more "professional" and really makes the tank look good. The drains on the back wall look cheap and reminds me of standing in a fish store, JMO!

07/25/2006, 09:47 AM	#5
MJAnderson Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 2,633	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=473152

07/28/2006, 03:44 PM	#6
jmkarcz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,728	I built my box in the tank, and drilled the tank for a more professional look. I also used BLACK glass - again for a professional look. If you BUILD A BOX, yet still run a siphon cane over the side... why waste your time... Thats why I also drilled bulkheads for all my returns as well, but don't forget check valves if you do this. Jason

08/08/2006, 07:03 AM	#9
snake Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Guadalajara, Mexico Posts: 242	Well I decided a 1 1/2 " bulkhead at 1 inch from the top edge, and built a small overflow box inside, that works awsome and it is absolutely quiet no need of durso devices. I will post a picture later.

08/08/2006, 09:34 AM	#10
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	CoolUser, the teeth also cut down on the linear distance. The teeth are a waste of time and serve no purpose other than eye candy. They reduce the effectiveness of the overlfow.

08/08/2006, 09:55 AM	#11
snake Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Guadalajara, Mexico Posts: 242	Agree, I used eggcrate instead the teeth arounf the edge of the overflow box.

08/13/2006, 12:52 PM	#14
Coyle Coral Samurai Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NOLA Posts: 351	hey snake, did you use eggcrate for the overflow teeth? thats an interesting idea.