Redesigning My Overflow

TheMillennialReefer · Oct 10, 2018

Hey

So in a previous post I stated I am redoing my overflow box. When I buy a brand new tank I will be setting up with the bean animal style. I used it on my 90 harem build with an Eshopps overflow and it’s wondeful!

Now I am redoing my 125 but when I bought the tank from the LFS they did a single overflow box for my tank. It works... but my problem is it’s not quite. When water evaporates it only replaces the water in the sump and not in the display tank. And it doesn’t keep the tank as a constant level. I don’t like it.

Instead of going out and buying a new tank I want to make it work. I have no idea where to go.. il attach some picture of what it is now.

TheMillennialReefer · Oct 10, 2018

I saw on YouTube a tank plumbed like this.. I like it but I don’t think it looks aesthetically pleasing.

The left if the secondary drain and the right PVC is the main drain. Pulls a full siphon.

Salahunreal · Oct 10, 2018

TheMillennialReefer said:
When water evaporates it only replaces the water in the sump and not in the display tank. And it doesn’t keep the tank as a constant level. I don’t like it.

Can you kindly explain this part to me.ni didn't get it

TheMillennialReefer · Oct 10, 2018

Salahunreal said:
Can you kindly explain this part to me.ni didn't get it

If the return is going faster than the overflow... water in the display tank rises. Because there is only one way for the water to go down the tank the water level doesn’t stay at a constant level.

If the overflow and the return are on sync.. then when water evaporates and the ATO is on the replacement water only goes into the sump and the display tank level doesn’t remain the same level. So I have to add water to the display every once in a while to keep the level constant.

FishKeeper01 · Oct 11, 2018

Wow, thank you for this!

TheMillennialReefer · Oct 11, 2018

Don't know what I did... but you are welcome!

FishKeeper01 said:
Wow, thank you for this!

Rcpilot · Oct 11, 2018

I'm trying to follow along, but that makes no sense to me. If you have a 1" bulkhead and drain line - then you can flow X amount of water with gravity or X with a full siphon. You size your return pump accordingly.

Let's say you have a 1" drain line and it's a full siphon. That's typically in the 600gph range. Buy a return pump that will do just under that with your vertical rise and fitting losses.

Still can't figure out how the heck your display tank level fluctuates and you're topping off in there, instead of the sump. Something's screwy.

Ratherbeflyen · Oct 11, 2018

I would make it an external overflow. Here is some reading on the different overflows. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/choosing-an-aquarium-overflow

I built my own bean animal overflow out of glass. Here is short video tour of it set up in my garage.

Engloid · Oct 11, 2018

If I'm understanding the questions and pictures correctly....(See attached picture)

Your main "siphon" is the one up top in the pic, with the strainer on it?
Your overflow, at the bottom is being used as a secondary or emergency?
The LFS put cleaner or pvc cement on after putting the piping together?
You have no valve in the siphon line?

If this is the case:
1) Never go back to that LFS again.
2) You need to change your plumbing.
3) Your siphon line isn't keeping siphon.

If I'm correct on this stuff, we can help advise you what to do beyond #1 and #2 and #3 above.