Have you installed an overflow? Know someone who has?

[code4]

While looking for an overflow to add to my 40 gallon breeder I ran into many types. They all say they are the best. The easiest to install. Egads, whichever should I choose? Please give me your honest opinion of the one you chose to install. I am thinking of drilling and adding a 20 gallon DIY sump to my project.

Photos would be great. Also what you like as well as do not like about the one you used. One I am interested in is exotic marine systems. So many to choose from.

Thanks for your thoughts ahead of time,
Shelley

 

[Sebastiancrab]

While looking for an overflow to add to my 40 gallon breeder I ran into many types. They all say they are the best. The easiest to install. Egads, whichever should I choose? Please give me your honest opinion of the one you chose to install. I am thinking of drilling and adding a 20 gallon DIY sump to my project.

Photos would be great. Also what you like as well as do not like about the one you used. One I am interested in is exotic marine systems. So many to choose from.

Thanks for your thoughts ahead of time,
Shelley

Hi Shelley, check out my build thread. I am doing the same build.

 

[KenRexford]

I converted the CPR 202 to a herbie overflow design. CPR 102 might work for your size. Works great, and quiet, with two nuisances though.
First, the fish guard eventually can clog, raising the tank water level slightly. If you then clean it, a rush of water to your sink will set off the ato alarm. So, you have to make sure to periodically clean the fish guard.
Second, the Tom aqualifter can fail completely or can clog (the line can), either rare occasion. Always have a back ready and backup airline and make the kids leave because of the temporary cursing frenzy until you get the flow going right again.

 

[code4]

I converted the CPR 202 to a herbie overflow design. CPR 102 might work for your size. Works great, and quiet, with two nuisances though.
First, the fish guard eventually can clog, raising the tank water level slightly. If you then clean it, a rush of water to your sink will set off the ato alarm. So, you have to make sure to periodically clean the fish guard.
Second, the Tom aqualifter can fail completely or can clog (the line can), either rare occasion. Always have a back ready and backup airline and make the kids leave because of the temporary cursing frenzy until you get the flow going right again.

Any photos? I am a very visual person. And thanks for the reply.

 

[code4]

Hi Shelley, check out my build thread. I am doing the same build.

I will, thanks for the tips.

Anyone else have a great or even good thread that could help?

Shelley

 

[KenRexford]

My pictures suck but maybe a hint

 

[Philly Reefer]

Hey. Welcome to the 40 Breeder Club.

Check out my build thread. I drilled my overflow on post #7. With pictures

If I can redo it again, I would put the overflow more to the corner. And maybe drill a hole for the return. But I'm still fine with over the top return.

Edit.. lol you found my build thread already.

 

[argiBK]

I've personally installed the XAqua In/Out on two of my previous systems (an ADA 60P and IM Nuvo 30).

Wouldn't hesitate to use it again on a smaller system (under 50 gals). It's pretty elegant with a low profile and runs completely silent.

(Not my photo)

 

[code4]

My pictures suck but maybe a hint

My photos suck! We have something in common. Lol

 

[code4]

Hey. Welcome to the 40 Breeder Club.

Check out my build thread. I drilled my overflow on post #7. With pictures

If I can redo it again, I would put the overflow more to the corner. And maybe drill a hole for the return. But I'm still fine with over the top return.

Edit.. lol you found my build thread already.

lol, I have been enjoying lots about yours. Especially your sump. I hope to not break my tank. You did great with the drill. ;Nailbiting;Doctor

And thanks, the 40 gallon breeder club is so fun. I have 2 larger tanks. This one I want for coral and clams. Doing this backwards. I started larger and going small.

 

[code4]

I've personally installed the XAqua In/Out on two of my previous systems (an ADA 60P and IM Nuvo 30).

Wouldn't hesitate to use it again on a smaller system (under 50 gals). It's pretty elegant with a low profile and runs completely silent.

(Not my photo)

Very interesting. I will have to look into this tomorrow. I can see I will need to start a folder! ;Happy. Thank you. Love that it is silent.

 

[Philly Reefer]

lol, I have been enjoying lots about yours. Especially your sump. I hope to not break my tank. You did great with the drill. ;Nailbiting;Doctor

Yeah I was afraid of breaking my tank too. That's why I kept stopping. In hindsight, I should have use a plank of wood and clamp it to hold the drill bit.. and not stopping too often. Especially if you can run cold water from a hose. That would keep the drill bit cold

 

[code4]

Keep them coming, please tell me what you loved and hated with the one you chose. Hoping to get started after Christmas. I will do a build thread for my admittance into the 40 Gallon Breeder Club. ;Shamefullyembarrased;Snaphappy

Shelley

 

[code4]

Yeah I was afraid of breaking my tank too. That's why I kept stopping. In hindsight, I should have use a plank of wood and clamp it to hold the drill bit.. and not stopping too often. Especially if you can run cold water from a hose. That would keep the drill bit cold

I can do the drilling over a floor drain to run water. And I will look into the wood and clamps. Thanks for the tips. I also saw where you mentioned about keeping the drill straight. I think my husband has something to help with that. If not I know what he's getting for Christmas.

Shelley

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I went with a modular marine. My tank was drilled for a synergy overflow but they seemed backed up on orders and didn’t seem to have great reviews. I asked around on here and Modular Marine was suggested. It was my first tank with an overflow and man its beautiful. The only tricky part was that I had to google around a few times to make sure I got the instructions correct on the install.

 

[Philly Reefer]

Keep them coming, please tell me what you loved and hated with the one you chose. Hoping to get started after Christmas. I will do a build thread for my admittance into the 40 Gallon Breeder Club. ;Shamefullyembarrased;Snaphappy

Shelley

With the overflow I have, the only thing I just added/change is the pipe inside the outer overflow box. It was not tall enough. Granted the water line goes higher and higher risk of spill.

BTW, I got the eshopps medium box because I found an open box one on saltwateraquarium.com
For the same price of the small one, so.. would have gone with small. But I don't mind medium.
And if I do it now, I would love those slim series or shadow overflow from synergy.

I can do the drilling over a floor drain to run water. And I will look into the wood and clamps. Thanks for the tips. I also saw where you mentioned about keeping the drill straight. I think my husband has something to help with that. If not I know what he's getting for Christmas.

Shelley

Yup a router.

 

[code4]

I went with a modular marine. My tank was drilled for a synergy overflow but they seemed backed up on orders and didn’t seem to have great reviews. I asked around on here and Modular Marine was suggested. It was my first tank with an overflow and man its beautiful. The only tricky part was that I had to google around a few times to make sure I got the instructions correct on the install.

I thank you for the idea. Anything you would do differently and why? Or do you love everything about it. I will be doing the drilling.

 

[code4]

With the overflow I have, the only thing I just added/change is the pipe inside the outer overflow box. It was not tall enough. Granted the water line goes higher and higher risk of spill.

BTW, I got the eshopps medium box because I found an open box one on saltwateraquarium.com
For the same price of the small one, so.. would have gone with small. But I don't mind medium.
And if I do it now, I would love those slim series or shadow overflow from synergy.



Yup a router.

I saw the slim series, I think I would have to have someone explain it to me who has it and loves it. Love the almost no footprint though!

 

[argiBK]

Very interesting. I will have to look into this tomorrow. I can see I will need to start a folder! ;Happy. Thank you. Love that it is silent.

It's often overlooked because there are more comprehensive overflows out there, but as long as you're not exceeding the drain rate of the overflow, you'll be fine. And if you want to have increased flow, you can install multiples.

I can do the drilling over a floor drain to run water. And I will look into the wood and clamps. Thanks for the tips. I also saw where you mentioned about keeping the drill straight. I think my husband has something to help with that. If not I know what he's getting for Christmas.

Definitely create a guide/template out of wood or acrylic before you cut into the glass, clamping it to the exact place you want to cut. The XAqua comes with a pre-cut guide

Keep the water flowing, and go slowly and steadily when cutting with the diamond bit. You may need to start the diamond bit at a slight angle to start the cut and avoid it dancing around the glass (the template will prevent this).

Also, have a cushion/cardboard underneath the cut panel to protect the opposite glass panel from the cutout glass if/when the cut finishes and it drops. Also importantly, ensure that that glass panel you're cutting is not tempered or else it will shatter (usually the tank will have a tag that notes which panels, if any, are tempered, but they're usually the bottom).

Good luck!

 

[code4]

It's often overlooked because there are more comprehensive overflows out there, but as long as you're not exceeding the drain rate of the overflow, you'll be fine. And if you want to have increased flow, you can install multiples.



Definitely create a guide/template out of wood or acrylic before you cut into the glass, clamping it to the exact place you want to cut. The XAqua comes with a pre-cut guide

Keep the water flowing, and go slowly and steadily when cutting with the diamond bit. You may need to start the diamond bit at a slight angle to start the cut and avoid it dancing around the glass (the template will prevent this).

Also, have a cushion/cardboard underneath the cut panel to protect the opposite glass panel from the cutout glass if/when the cut finishes and it drops. Also importantly, ensure that that glass panel you're cutting is not tempered or else it will shatter (usually the tank will have a tag that notes which panels, if any, are tempered, but they're usually the bottom).

Good luck!

I was wondering about multiples. Especially since I was really thinking of a the need for move coverage by the overflow. So as to cover a larger section of the surface area. Thanks for the advice of the cutting. I keep watching videos and reading up on it. But it only takes one little overlooked thing to mess it up. So I keep reading and probably will have some notes next to me even as I start the first cut. ;Bookworm