Overflow Question

[fiveplusfive]

I am interested in building a rimless nano cube with sump. I would like to know if this overflow will work. If so what are opinions on noise level? Better yet, would this overflow be loud?

This will be a small 12" cube with no skimmer. Just live rock and Chaeto in the sump (lots of water changes).

 

[atwinparadox2]

well, logically, it will work, gravity will take it's course. But think about how much water will be traveling down into your fuge. People use durso's and overflow's with tubing to control the amount of flow into their sumps. From the picture it looks like your going for a waterfall effect which can work but will move water really fast so you will need a fast rated return pump, and will stir up substantial bubbles and or sand in the fuge.

 

[atwinparadox2]

fast rated return pump for it's size at least. I know it's only 12" but thinking relatively you would need, for instance a maxijet 900 or something like that to return the water fast. That can cause some crazy flow back into your DT

 

[fiveplusfive]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13020083#post13020083 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atwinparadox2
fast rated return pump for it's size at least. I know it's only 12" but thinking relatively you would need, for instance a maxijet 900 or something like that to return the water fast. That can cause some crazy flow back into your DT

Unless I am missing something (which I probably am) wouldn't the pump returning the water to the DT dictate how much water is being sent down the overlow? In which case a lower flow pump would send less into the sump?

 

[atwinparadox2]

yes absolutely, i am just worried about how much water you will stir up from having a waterfall overflow setup. Maybe if you set it up to where the waterfall overflow goes through some baffles right as the water enters the sump and then hits the fuge and return, this might work.

 

[fiveplusfive]

I see what you're saying. Bottom line, it would be like a loud waterfall and at the very least would create lots of micro bubbles.

I guess it is back to the drawing board.

 

[fiveplusfive]

Okay, what about this. I really just want something that is quiet, but doesn't extend above the tank like durso.

The second taller pipe would be the emergency.

 

[fiveplusfive]

Anyone know if this setup would be loud?

 

[Indymann99]

As long as you can fully submerge the lower drain pipe it will be silent. I put mine about 2 inches below the overflow line. Having an emergency drain is a good idea. You will need to put valves on the drain AND return lines to "balance" the flow (keep the primary drain submerged).

The loudest part of my tank is the air intake for the skimmer.

 

[tanker]

I think the first design would be better and simpler. Do you wand/need sand in you refugy?? Maybe just go Cheato only.

Where are you?? My LFS has that same design tank, but the "waterfall" is on three sides.