overflow box question

[Eurogurl]

I am going to buy this overflow box

I have a 75g and will be running it to a 55g sump. On one end of the sump I have my skimmer section, on the other end I have a fuge set up. In the center of the 55 sump I have a return section.

With this overflow box, can run one drain into the skimmer, and the other drain into the fuge....does anyone see a potential problem by doing this? Will that be to much flow through the fuge section?

 

[Eurogurl]

I am sorry I meant to say "skimmer section" I am not running the drain directly into the skimmer...haha didnt want any confusion

 

[Toddrtrex]

Personally, I would go with an U-tube overflow. Ideally one from Lifereef, it is a better design that doesn't need an aqualifter pump to keep air bubble out of it.

 

[sjm817]

2nd the above. The CPR overflows are very unreliable.

 

[Eurogurl]

Well I have an aqualifter pump I used on my old tank for helping with top off, so I was just going to throw that on there...what do you think of the plumbing, will it work well to seperate them into two separate compartments in my sump, or will I have to restrict the flow into the fuge?

 

[sjm817]

The Aqualifter does not solve the reliability problem.

 

[Eurogurl]

ok so maybe a bad idea haha, have one more question....I can pick up a brand new 75g AGA drilled with the mega flow in it for 210.00USD.

This was the same tank i was going to put the overflow box on. Is this a good deal for that tank?

 

[sjm817]

Yes. The AGA megaflow is a good tank. Overflow is pre drilled and installed. The holes are in the bottom which makes for cleaner plumbing as well.

 

[killagoby]

I have a CPR overflow box rated for 300 GPH. I never had any problems with it, but I would use an upgraded pump next time. The AquaLifter is a piece of junk.

 

[mg426]

Pre drilled is the way to go, If not get a Life reef U tube style overflow.

 

[hansmatt]

I have a lifereef external overflow and love it. With that said, a drilled tank is the best way to go. Less noise, less to break, less clutter. Go with the drilled tank and don't look back. The lifefreef would be close to $140 all said and done.

 

[pezcubano]

I'm in a similar position with a 75G that has one HOB. I have a 20G sump and I'm thinking of hanging another HOB and having 2 drains coming into my sump. Is it better to have 2 HOBs or just one HOB with two U-tubes feeding it? Will 2 U-tubes increase the flow any better or will I have to get another HOB?
Thanks...

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10009996#post10009996 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pezcubano
I'm in a similar position with a 75G that has one HOB. I have a 20G sump and I'm thinking of hanging another HOB and having 2 drains coming into my sump. Is it better to have 2 HOBs or just one HOB with two U-tubes feeding it? Will 2 U-tubes increase the flow any better or will I have to get another HOB?
Thanks...

With a 75 and a 20 gal sump (( very similar to mine, but I have a 30 sump )) you should be fine with a single (Lifereef) U tube -- they will handle around 500-600 gph, you reall don't want any more flow going through a sump.

 

[DarG]

Two U tubes will only increase the flow if one U-tube can't provide as much flow as your overflow drain can handle. I doubt that it would matter whether you have a dual drain overflow or two singles. If you add a second U tube or Overflow, make sure your pump has enough flow to keep enough velcoity through the Utubes to clear the bubbles.

My problem with the CPR or any C-siphon overflow (I had a CPR dual) was NOT the aqualifter. It was the fact that you just cant clean the inner portion of the C-Siphon. You cant get to it to clean it without removing the whole unit and soaking it in bleach solution. Never again.

 

[sjm817]

For a 75G with a 20G sump, a (good) single U Tube overflow is all you need.

 

[pezcubano]

Is 1 inch in diameter on the u-tube good enough?
I'm also looking into a Tunze 9010 in the sump. What should I do about my return pump when I put the Tunze in. I currently run a Rio 2500 return pump. Can I get away with it? Will it match the output from the Tunze?

 

[sjm817]

You have to have less flow from the return pump than the maximum capacity of the overflow. Most overflows cant actually live up to the rated flow. I wouldn't worry about the flow rate of the skimmer.

 

[hansmatt]

I would be wary of the rio pumps, many have experienced whole-tank-loss if/when they die...they release oil into the tank. I have an eheim 1260 which I love, coupled with my lifereef it is perfect. Don't worry about the skimmer's in-output, it is in sump and will take what it needs. I've heard great things about the Tunze skimmers.

 

[pezcubano]

Hansmatt - Thanks for the reply. I'm looking into an eheim as well.
I will also look into the Lifereef. How big is the tank you have the Eheim 1260 on? Which Eheim would you recommend for my 75G?
I'm also considering putting a powerhead in the tank for additional flow in the display, so I won't be relying solely on the Eheim for the flow in the tank.
Thanks