Making a Single Overflow Quiet & Safe

[blazerino]

I just purchased a new (but old model) Elo's 100 that has a single overflow drain with no emergency overflow.

This tank is going to be in my livingroom so I want it to be quiet, but I need to take all precautions to prevent an overflow that would damage my hardwood floors.

I purchased a gate valve from BRS to control the flow but I now realize that it is a very bad idea to use any sort of flow restriction on a single overflow. On the other hand, if I don't use the gate valve it will make a lot of noise.

The tank is still dry so I figure now is the time to make sure this is set up properly.

Right now I have come up with two options:

1. Use gate valve to control flow and run full siphon on the main drain and use a float switch in the display tank connected to my apex to turn off the return pump if the tank starts overflowing. I am also running a varios 4 that comes with a float switch in the sump that will turn off the pump if the water level gets to low as an additional safety measure.

2. Drill the back of the tank and install a backup overflow.

Option 1 would be way easier because I already own an apex with breakout box and doesn't involve drilling a brand new tank (which I have never done before).

Any suggestions?

 

[scottedontknow]

Well option 2 is def the best bet. with that being said drilling a tank for the first time is a bit nerve wracking to say the least lol. Option 1 is a good idea BUT i will also say id have multiple layers of redundancy just in case. I would do at least 2 switches in the display just in case one fails or something stops it from being triggered.

 

[scottedontknow]

Option 3. Buy an HOB overflow box as an emergency box and add a float switch to that to send you an alert if water flows through the HOB overflow. at least that way your tank can still run (what happens if your away) you would be alerted that something is wrong.

 

[Potatohead]

Does it only have one hole? Or two holes and one is for return?

If the latter, you can use the second hole for emergency and run the return back up over the rim...?

 

[GabeM]

#1 will be hard to get working because of there not really being such a thing as the perfect amount of flow.. .you will always be over or under by at least a small bit. Is there room in the current overflow to drill another hole in the bottom for a new standpipe?

 

[blazerino]

Does it only have one hole? Or two holes and one is for return?

If the latter, you can use the second hole for emergency and run the return back up over the rim...?

This is a great idea. There is a second hole for the return and a second higher hole for a siphon break.

I think I'm going to try to go this route. I guess I will need to put some sort of screen on the emergency drain to prevent it from getting clogged. Here is a photo of the return and siphon break hole.

Any suggestions for a low profile, non diy-looking over the top return?

 

[blazerino]

/

Option 3. Buy an HOB overflow box as an emergency box and add a float switch to that to send you an alert if water flows through the HOB overflow. at least that way your tank can still run (what happens if your away) you would be alerted that something is wrong.

How would this work? Doesn't an HOB overflow require a continuous siphon to work?

 

[scottedontknow]

good point, i do think there are auto start ones that you could use. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/deluxe-cs102-with-lid-and-aqua-lifter.html would work. you could have a flot switch trigger the Air pump and send you an alert. but this might be a lot lol

 

[ca1ore]

I think I would confirm that the rear panel is not tempered and, if not, grind a hole for a second drain (perhaps the LFS would even do it for you). Just do it within the section that is behind the weir. Over the top return just seems like it would kill the rimless aesthetic.

FWIW, if you stick with just the single drain, you don't have to rely solely on a float switch. Limit the size of the return chamber such that the pump sucks air before it can oveflow the tank. That would be your redundancy.

 

[blazerino]

I think I would confirm that the rear panel is not tempered and, if not, grind a hole for a second drain (perhaps the LFS would even do it for you). Just do it within the section that is behind the weir. Over the top return just seems like it would kill the rimless aesthetic.

FWIW, if you stick with just the single drain, you don't have to rely solely on a float switch. Limit the size of the return chamber such that the pump sucks air before it can oveflow the tank. That would be your redundancy.

I agree with the aesthetic concerns, I am going to play around with a few things to see how it looks. If I was to drill a hole for second return it would have to be in the display section. The elos tank doesn't have a weir as you would normally expect. It is a fully sealed chamber with the pipes running through it. It doesn't get filled with water and can't be accessed from the top.

At the end of the day, I'm not sure how much worse a well constructed over the top return would look than a second overflow box drilled through the back of the tank in the display. If I can avoid drilling this tank I would really like to....

 

[motortrendz]

Get one of the eshopps overflows. They turn one hole into 2 drains. Maine and emergency.

 

[blazerino]

Alright so my wife is pretty against the whole return over the rim situation and to be honest, when I mocked it up with two pvc 90's it definitely looked pretty bad, so that's a no-go for now.

I really don't want to risk drilling this tank. If something goes wrong and I break it there is no way my wife is going to go for a new tank.

I have been searching old forum posts regarding the noise issues with the old elos tanks and it seems like if you tune in the return volume correctly then the noise isn't too bad.

I have a controllable varios 4 dc pump and am installing a valve on the return line, so I should be able to tune things in pretty well.

I am not counting on tank turnover for flow within the tank, so I don't think running a slow return will affect things.

If it doesn't work out then I will still be able to retrofit in an over the rim return or sell this tank and upgrade when I move the tank into the basement after we finish it next year. Already measured and a waterbox 130.4 will fit down the basement stairs....

 

[hart24601]

I use a single hole drain, so I installed a high water sensor as a backup so the return pump shuts off if there is a clog. Just another option for you.

Smart Level Security

Prevent overflows or equipment from running dry! Using a tiny optical sensor, AutoAqua's Smart Level Sensor will cut power to the outlet when the sensor detects a change in water level. The plug & play design requires no difficult programming and the magnetic attachment makes placement and...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[blazerino]

I use a single hole drain, so I installed a high water sensor as a backup so the return pump shuts off if there is a clog. Just another option for you.

Smart Level Security

Prevent overflows or equipment from running dry! Using a tiny optical sensor, AutoAqua's Smart Level Sensor will cut power to the outlet when the sensor detects a change in water level. The plug & play design requires no difficult programming and the magnetic attachment makes placement and...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Thanks for the info. That's one of the options I am considering using the float sensor and my apex breakout box.

Do you have a valve on the return to dial back the flow to run a full siphon?

 

[hart24601]

Thanks for the info. That's one of the options I am considering using the float sensor and my apex breakout box.

Do you have a valve on the return to dial back the flow to run a full siphon?

I am not running full siphon on this system. I considered it, but was able to get it quiet enough for me. I do have a valve from return to the fuge I can dial back flow. Personally 3 -5x turnover has always been plenty for my reefs.

 

[blazerino]

FWIW, if you stick with just the single drain, you don't have to rely solely on a float switch. Limit the size of the return chamber such that the pump sucks air before it can oveflow the tank. That would be your redundancy.

This is a good point. The problem is the weird sump design on the elos sump. It is basically one big chamber with 3 side chambers for putting in chemical or biological filtration media. Because of this the return chamber is basically 15X14 and holds a ton of volume.

I am considering picking up an eshoppes r-100 that is on close out that happens to have tiny return chamber.