Purpose of Overflow Box?

[zcs03]

My question is regarding the purpose and usefulness of an overflow box.

As I see it, the main purposes of an overflow are to prevent the siphon from draining the tank during a power outage, and to prevent livestock from getting sucked into the sump.

Could one not just attach a tube (such as one used with a canister filter) to a point just below the water level, create a siphon into the sump, and just send the water back via a return pump?

 

[MeuserReef]

surface skimming

 

[zcs03]

But I already have a protein skimmer...

Is that really the point of the overflow?

Could I connect a sump without an overflow box? Any ideas of exactly how to do this?

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

protien skimmer and surface skimming are 2 diff. things.

BTW
[welcome]

 

[paulyl61]

Surface skimming takes all of the "scum" from the surface (often protiens that have risen to the surface attached to micro bubbles in your display). The protien skimmer in the sump then removes these protiens from the water in the skimate.

 

[MeuserReef]

A tank without good surface skimming will not have good gas exchange, often lowering your pH and causing all kinds of other annoyances.

Not to mention it makes a tank look dirty IMO.

 

[zcs03]

But is it possible to attach a sump (for use as a refugium) without using an overflow box?

 

[1-9-06]

You can drill a hole into the bottom or side and have a standpipe or 90 degree elbow with a standpipe to the desired water level. I have this on my 54 gal bowfront tank my 150 has the box style. Both tanks of mine are on the same system connected at the sump. If you do a standpipe anywhere have something over the top to prevent curious fish from going down the dark slide into your refuge.

 

[zcs03]

I can't drill, is it possible to just use a tube placed just below the water surface? Will I then have to match the flow going in with the flow going out? How does an overflow box prevent this?

 

[1-9-06]

I always had my sump and fuge above tank level before I drilled. That way the water pumps from the display to the refuge and drains back to the display. Whats the problem with drilling it? Someone else is going to have to help you with the boxes. I own one but I've not used one before.

 

[buddy381]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10827729#post10827729 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zcs03
I can't drill, is it possible to just use a tube placed just below the water surface? Will I then have to match the flow going in with the flow going out? How does an overflow box prevent this?

I think if you just place a tube below the surface, you will lose the siphon in a power outage...it will continue to suck out water until air gets into the tube...that is bad news when the power and return pump go back on.

If you are looking for a cheap way to get water from the tank to the sump/fuge, i built an overflow using pvc pipe....it was pretty cheap. You need a handful of 90 degree connections, a t-connection, and some pvc tubing (oh and some pvc glue).....do a search for diy pvc overflow. It holds the siphon and is pretty darn cheap....my guess is under 15 bucks. I believe there is a thread on this site about it also.

 

[kakan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10827729#post10827729 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zcs03
I can't drill, is it possible to just use a tube placed just below the water surface? Will I then have to match the flow going in with the flow going out? How does an overflow box prevent this?

What buddy381 said was correct also using just a siphon tube without any type of over flow will make it impossible to match the speed of the siphon with the speed of the return pump.

 

[zcs03]

Thanks - any links to plans for PVC overflow?

 

[Solitaryensis]

I think you are fighting an idea/concept that can not be avoided. There are several alternatives to a traditional HOB overlflow that you might want to explore, but not using one for a refugium is probably out of the question. I personally think the easiest and most cost effective way is to simply drill a hole in the back of the tank but since you said you cannot drill, a HOB is probably your best and only option (unless there are some previously drilled holes in your tank.) And if the PVC method is the one i am thinking of, it still requires a hole, which you wont be able to accommodate for. I say just bite the bullet and get a HOB overflow box. It will increase the oxygen exchange in your tank and in return im sure your fish will be much happier.
Oh, and it might help if you gave us more specs on the tank.

 

[buddy381]

the most informative link i found is actually to another site, so i don't want to break any rules if there are any about linking other sites. There is thread on reef central somewhere about it, but if you simply go to google and type in "diy pvc overflow" the first link will take you to a thread that will give plans. Once i understood the concept and bought the pieces, it literally took minutes to create...

 

[zcs03]

Thank you all for the responses - I have come to the conclusion that a HOB overflow is the most feasible option.

http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-overflow/70.asp

This seems to be a good plan for a DIY overflow - shouldn't be much work, I hope.

 

[hebygb]

I too was thinking the DIY PVC overflow for this reefer. I think you will get better, more reliable results using the PVC than trying to construct your own overflow box. If the box is the direction you want to go, buy one. You don't have to go all the way with a Lifereef, but dont bother with CPR... the concept of having to plug in a water lifter on a siphon is counter intuitive. You can pick up one for 50-75 dollars.

 

[buddy381]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10837546#post10837546 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zcs03
Thank you all for the responses - I have come to the conclusion that a HOB overflow is the most feasible option.

http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-overflow/70.asp

This seems to be a good plan for a DIY overflow - shouldn't be much work, I hope.

I had a problem finding the boxes referred to in the area in order to make this one....so i went with the PVC plans. If you make this one....good luck!!! And just make sure that your U tube is long enough to prevent air from gettin gin there....