I'm in the designing phase of replacing a filter system with a sump but it seems there are many options for overflow boxes and not a lot of places that ship them internationally. The siphon types look like they will be a real problem with frequent power outages. I'm not confident that some of the designs which claim to resume when the power is restored will always work. I have also considered the option of adding a float valve to the sump and doing a siphon directly from the tank. The remaining option seems to be to drill holes in the tank which for the most part seems to be the best option but there seem to be a lot of options for this also, including pipes with holes cut in them. I have always connected filters near the substrate of a tank so I'm really concerned that with any of these systems, sediment will stay in the system. What I need is a fairly inexpensive, power outage safe, overflow system that isn't likely to suck baby fish out of the tank. What are the best options for the overflow portion of a sump system?
Power outage safe overflow box?
- Thread starter Ralph Ritoch
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Bryson.bobby
Valuable Member
I would say drilling would be your best option because of the reasons you stated. However, I have an eshopps 1000 hob overflow and haven’t lost siphon since I set it up 7 months ago...I think It’s more personal preference than anything.
Qasimja
Valuable Member
i got an eshopps overflow and ive plumbed an aqualifter to the u tubes so its constantly drawing the air out of them so ive tried several simulations of power loss and it never loses siphon
Mjrenz
2500 Club Member
I have an eshopps eclipse overflow that did require drilling, it's definitely not not safe for baby fish however. IMO drilling is the safest way to go just because there is no chance of losing a siphon. I've successfully drilled 4 tanks at this point and haven't had any mishaps yet, I use vegetable oil instead of water and it's much easier than you'd think to make holes in glass.
Even though the water is skimmed from the surface you don't need to worry about sediment build up if you have proper flow in the tank from a wavemaker, I use an Icecap 3k and have plenty of flow from top to bottom. I hope this info helps you with your decision!
Even though the water is skimmed from the surface you don't need to worry about sediment build up if you have proper flow in the tank from a wavemaker, I use an Icecap 3k and have plenty of flow from top to bottom. I hope this info helps you with your decision!
Ralph Ritoch
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I really like the eclipse but the price is more than the price of the tank, and I only plan on using this tank another 6 months at which point I plan to upgrade to 125+ gallon. I also haven't t yet found a supplier of them that will ship internationally. I am now considering keeping with the filtration system for now and investing in a good sump system for the replacement. Is there any reason I couldn't use the eclipse on the side of the tank instead of the back? We are planning a major renovation to our house which will include the 125+ gallon fish tank but with our current design there won't be any way to access the back of the tank.
Mjrenz
2500 Club Member
It's almost like you are describing exactly what I've done, I had a 55 gallon tank set up for a while with an eclipse on the end and I just upgraded to a 120. I reused the overflow and also put it on the end of the new tank. I wish I could help with a supplier but I'm not sure where to point you for international shipping
Drilling is the only for sure way. There are better external Hob overflows than others and there are ways to make them safer but no matter there is always a chance. I used to run all Hob overflows back in the day mainly because that is what was available but now just drill everything since it is so easy. It does not even take a power outage sometimes with them.
jd371
Valuable Member
I have been using an eshopps pf800 overflow now for 5 years with absolutely no issues. The siphon always starts right up after a power failure or WC, never had bubbles collect in the U-tube over time. If the siphon was ever to stop the return section would run dry before flooding the tank. I really don't understand why these get such a bad rap, if set up correctly there shouldn't be any issues. It leads me to believe that a lot of the flooding horror stories were because the pump and or the overflow were miss matched causing problems. The only negative thing about the HOB overflows is they're noisy out of the box that can be corrected with a DIY stockman standpipe and they need to be removed a couple of times a year for a thorough cleaning.
With that being said if it was me, I'd drill. Aesthetically a drilled tank looks so much better without all the hardware hanging over the back. There's also so many options for an overflow with a drilled tank.
With that being said if it was me, I'd drill. Aesthetically a drilled tank looks so much better without all the hardware hanging over the back. There's also so many options for an overflow with a drilled tank.
Hob overflows need enough flow, A drilled tank with not enough flow is just loud incorrectly measure the flow needed on an hob overflow and you chance a flood event. I like danner pumps for these they last for years, handle head pressure, and come in multiple sizes so can get the one need for your tank.
