Need help to avoid a flood!

[swearint]

I have always used an overflow, just doesn't seem right to cut a hole into a perfectly good tank. I have never had a flood due to the problems with the overflow. All my floods were for other stupid errors on my part, such as not using a hose clamp or the protein skimmer. The basic approach for an overflow has already been covered, so I thought I would address the issue of bubbles collecting in the u-tube. This can be prevented by controlling the level of the water in the intake box (ie the one inside the tank). If the water level is set towards the bottom of the box, the spill-over height causes bubbles to form. I set the level just at the bottom of the grooves, therefore the water barely spills over. Any bubbles that do form float back up before getting sucked into the u-tube. The easist way to control the level is by adjusting the height of the standpipe in the outlet box. Also, as long as the bottom of the u-tube is below the standpipe inlet, the siphon will not break. I can post a picture later if that would help.

Todd

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Based on the input from the people so far including H@rry who wrote in your other thread awhile ago, a well built overflow box seems very reliable.

RR tanks can flood as well if something, such as a large snail, clogs the drain. In this case the flood comes from the display tank instead of its sump. This happened once when I was using my old 29 gallon tank with a smaller diameter drain line - a perfect size for my snails. I also had a gap in the teeth of my overflow box through which my snails could get into the box. Luckily a small amount of water that dripped from the display tank somehow splashed and hit my powerstrip causing the GFCI to trip and shutting off the return pump. (GFCI can save you in more than one way . )

We also make mistakes such as not securing hoses/pipes completely. Some equipment starts leaking suddenly.

I check my circulation system periodically and do maintenance on it to avoid a flood and leaks.

Tomoko

 

[boogs79]

Thank you all for your helpful advice! I think I am going to get Ocea Aquarium Products to build me a 90 that fits my stand. There prices are very reasonable and It can be set up to my specs.