Overflow Question

[NDIrish]

I have a 125 gal tank and want to install an overflow. After researching I decide to go with Modular Marine. Need input which one will be best to use.
The 1200 gph has (2) 1" bulkheads thru the tank with (3) 3/4" uniseal drains.
The 1600 gph has (2) 1-1/2" bulkheads thru the tank with (3) 1" bulkheads.
Wondering which would be best.

 

[Ewilson]

Id go with the bigger one

 

[bluprntguy]

What return pump are you planning to use and do you know the flow?

It's probably better to go with the larger one as it will handle more flow and likely be quieter. The only issue would be if the 1" drain lines are too large and you feel you need the 3/4" drains.

 

[NDIrish]

Id go with the bigger one

Thnks

 

[NDIrish]

What return pump are you planning to use and do you know the flow?

It's probably better to go with the larger one as it will handle more flow and likely be quieter. The only issue would be if the 1" drain lines are too large and you feel you need the 3/4" drains.

Bluprntguy,
I am thinking around 1200 gph. That will be about 10 times the turn around.
I haven't decided on return pumps. Although I want to use (2) with each putting out 1/2 output of just one in case one fails I will be able to still have one working.

Ok, this may sound dumb but, I don't understand using 3/4" returns in lieu of the 1".

Thnks

 

[theMeat]

The first one is big enough, even if you want to go 10x tank volume gph. IMO you should go half that.
But i’d Go with second one, because it doesn’t rely on uniseal as first one does

 

[Murica]

Just from personal experience, I would go bigger. I regret getting a smaller over flow and return to save money.. The detritus never seems to get out of the water column because there's not enough turn over into the sump.

My next tank will have over kill with multiple 2 inch over flows and multiple 1 inch returns. I figure you can always turn down your pumps, but you can't necessarily increase flow.

 

[NDIrish]

The first one is big enough, even if you want to go 10x tank volume gph. IMO you should go half that.
But i’d Go with second one, because it doesn’t rely on uniseal as first one does

They state on their website "We can customize the bulkhead and drain sizes/quantity to fit your application". So if I change the uni-seal drains to bulkheads you think the 800 gph would be fine?

Also you're not the only one recommended for me to go 1/2 the turnover. Why is that?
Just wanting to know for my personal knowledge.

 

[theMeat]

They state on their website "We can customize the bulkhead and drain sizes/quantity to fit your application". So if I change the uni-seal drains to bulkheads you think the 800 gph would be fine?

Also you're not the only one recommended for me to go 1/2 the turnover. Why is that?
Just wanting to know for my personal knowledge.

On second thought go with the bigger one. It will only be quieter/safer. With most overflows it’s the weir that’s limiting.

Yes 800 gph is enough. The older way of thinking was 10x. Now with refugiums and better skimmers much less. The logic is less heat and noise. If your skimmer can process let’s say 300 gph and your pushing 1200gph throu sump kinda pointless.
Refugium algae needs contact time to uptake nutrients. Plus with lower flow through sump debris settles into refugium better, where it gets consumed. To the point where you much more likely to run sockless and still have clear water.
On a 125g think 3-4x turnover is the sweet spot. Depending on sump size and design

 

[GlassMunky]

OK so question for those out there who have the MM overflow? how loud is it?
I have a synergy shadow and this thing is crazy loud from the front box where it falls through the cut teeth and into the box and back into the rear box.....
are these any quieter? Part of the whole point of running a bean animal is that you can move lots of water fast and QUIET, yet this overflow is anything but quiet....

 

[theMeat]

OK so question for those out there who have the MM overflow? how loud is it?
I have a synergy shadow and this thing is crazy loud from the front box where it falls through the cut teeth and into the box and back into the rear box.....
are these any quieter? Part of the whole point of running a bean animal is that you can move lots of water fast and QUIET, yet this overflow is anything but quiet....

Plenty of threads on this topic

 

[NDIrish]

On second thought go with the bigger one. It will only be quieter/safer. With most overflows it’s the weir that’s limiting.

Yes 800 gph is enough. The older way of thinking was 10x. Now with refugiums and better skimmers much less. The logic is less heat and noise. If your skimmer can process let’s say 300 gph and your pushing 1200gph throu sump kinda pointless.
Refugium algae needs contact time to uptake nutrients. Plus with lower flow through sump debris settles into refugium better, where it gets consumed. To the point where you much more likely to run sockless and still have clear water.
On a 125g think 3-4x turnover is the sweet spot. Depending on sump size and design

If the sweet spot is 3 - 4x turnover, then I should use the 800. ( my tank is 26" tall)
My plan right now is to convert a 40 gal breader into a refugium using fiji cube sump kit. The water enters (3) socks then to algae then skimmer then to return area.

 

[theMeat]

If the sweet spot is 3 - 4x turnover, then I should use the 800. ( my tank is 26" tall)
My plan right now is to convert a 40 gal breader into a refugium using fiji cube sump kit. The water enters (3) socks then to algae then skimmer then to return area.

Are you doing Triton method?

 

[NDIrish]

Are you doing Triton method?

Not really sure what a Triton method is. My plan is using Fiji Cube sump kit refugium baffle kit. It has (5) sections. The 1st section has (3) socks, 2nd section I plan putting chaeto algae, 3rd protein skimmer, the 4th is to adjust water height and has (2) media trays, 5th is for return pumps. I plan using (2) return pumps, each gph will be 1/2 of the total return.
Thanks

 

[theMeat]

Not really sure what a Triton method is. My plan is using Fiji Cube sump kit refugium baffle kit. It has (5) sections. The 1st section has (3) socks, 2nd section I plan putting chaeto algae, 3rd protein skimmer, the 4th is to adjust water height and has (2) media trays, 5th is for return pumps. I plan using (2) return pumps, each gph will be 1/2 of the total return.
Thanks

Better off putting skimmer before algae. You can put something under it to get the water level needed.
This way skimmer gets dirtiest water, after socks, micro bubbles, if any, go to fuge, and pods don’t have to pass the skimmer to make it to display

 

[NDIrish]

Better off putting skimmer before algae. You can put something under it to get the water level needed.
This way skimmer gets dirtiest water, after socks, micro bubbles, if any, go to fuge, and pods don’t have to pass the skimmer to make it to display

Ok, I can set it up that way since I'm still planning my layout. You don't think the skimmer will make the water too clean for the fuge?

 

[theMeat]

Ok, I can set it up that way since I'm still planning my layout. You don't think the skimmer will make the water too clean for the fuge?

Nah
Skimmer takes out proteins that would otherwise enter the nitrogen cycle, and it won’t get everything. Rocks, sand and media will be/are better at consuming ammonia and turning it into nitrite. Then consuming nitrite and turning it into nitrate.
Algae will feed off the end game of the nitrogen cycle, and allow for less water changes, breeding place for pods, more stable ph, etc.
Nitrates can get consumed by some big porous areas with low to no flow, and phosphate won’t be consumed by anything but algae.