HOB Overflows

carlos413

carlos413

New member
I have a 75 gallon tank that is not drilled. I would like to add an overflow so I can add a 20 gallon long as a sump. The reason I haven't done this yet it's because of fears that I could have the tank and or sump over flow on to my floor. I live on a third floor apartment and that would be a big NO NO!!!
I here all the benefits of having a sump and feel like I am missing out. If I wanted to add a HOB overflow is there a way I could run one safely? Meaning in the case of a power outage. I also hear that if bubbles get in to the overflow it could stop it from siphoning water and cause the return pump to overflow the tank.

I am in the planning stages. Haven't made up my mind yet just trying to balance the negatives and positives. One thing is for sure I won't be getting a drilled tank anytime soon, so I am trying to make the best of what I have.
:worried:
 
I got an eshopps as well. Hasn't failed me yet, just remember to make sure all the water in your pipes wouldn't overflow the sump, and you'll be good to go
 
Lifereef doesn't require one of those lifter pumps and according to their website have never had a failiure that resulted in a flood. lifereef.com. The guy that sells the stuff also makes it, and he's been great at helping me with questions and general support. They make a top notch product, I can vouch for it. Drilling is definitely the safest and best way to go though!
 
I have an eshopps runing for five years without any issues. Recommended 100%! Its important to have the correct overflow size for the pump. See the shart of flows to determine which one you need.
 
heres the skinny on overflows. basically you can set the water height in your DT with your overflow box. you want the water in the DT to be low enough that if the overflow gets clogged (read: snail) the sump will continue to pump water into the Dt and none will go down, so there must be enough room for the water from the return section to sit in your dt without the overflow..

second you want to make sure your sump waterlevel is low enough to fit the water from back siphon in case of loss of power. this is easy enough. the water will only drain out of the tank until the return pipe breaks teh surface. dont submerge it too much and you wont have to much water coming back down.
 
Ok I get the adjustment on the overflow in the dt. The sump part will take a little trial and error? How do you figure out how low the level need to be in the sump in order to to be able to hold the water from the return pump in case power is out?
 
captainfester said:
heres the skinny on overflows. Basically you can set the water height in your dt with your overflow box. You want the water in the dt to be low enough that if the overflow gets clogged (read: Snail) the sump will continue to pump water into the dt and none will go down, so there must be enough room for the water from the return section to sit in your dt without the overflow..

Second you want to make sure your sump waterlevel is low enough to fit the water from back siphon in case of loss of power. This is easy enough. The water will only drain out of the tank until the return pipe breaks teh surface. Dont submerge it too much and you wont have to much water coming back down.
Click to expand...

+1
 
If u go with a premade sump like eshoppes it's easy. Otherwise if your going to buil one u figure out the level based on equipment u want to use. Skimmer and such.

End of the day I'd say most sumps are only half filled.
 
I have a Eshopps overflow box, they work good and look good. For a little more money the CPR overflow boxes are a little bit better. The life reef over flows boxes seem cheaply made imho. In hindsight I should've gotten the kit from glass holes.com, it's not hard at all to drill a tank.
 
icycoral said:
I have a Eshopps overflow box, they work good and look good. For a little more money the CPR overflow boxes are a little bit better. The life reef over flows boxes seem cheaply made imho. In hindsight I should've gotten the kit from glass holes.com, it's not hard at all to drill a tank.
Click to expand...

The tank is up and running and I just dont dare to try and drill it. In your opinion why is the CPR OF better than the Eshopps?
 
I have an overflow box you can have for a frag of an lps or softy. I believe it's a life reef. Then you can play around with it and if you don't love it all you lose is a frag haha. Plus you could probably turn around and sell if for more than the cost of the frag.
I have been so hard core into sps I need to get a few lps and softies. Heck if you don't have anything to trade I'll probably let you take it anyways. If your interested I can probably text you a pic or something.
 
^ that's very generous of Roman! They sell for $120 IIRC an are individually made by hand to order. Top notch stuff!
 
Gillundr said:
I have an overflow box you can have for a frag of an lps or softy. I believe it's a life reef. Then you can play around with it and if you don't love it all you lose is a frag haha. Plus you could probably turn around and sell if for more than the cost of the frag.
I have been so hard core into sps I need to get a few lps and softies. Heck if you don't have anything to trade I'll probably let you take it anyways. If your interested I can probably text you a pic or something.
Click to expand...

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