This thread is specifically designed for people just entering the marine hobby, In most (if not ALL) circumstances a sump is required to have a successful marine tank.
Trying to balance a pump from the display tank with a pump from the sump (a two pump system) regardless of safety valves, cut off switches etc is inviting disaster :nono:
Either the Sump must be fed by gravity (when the sump is located below the DT) or the DT must be fed by gravity (when the Sump is above the DT) ...
Now depending on your specific design criteria and space available there are a number of possibilities when designing an overflow (whether this is a DIY project or a a custom build by a LFS)
The list below is not an exhaustive list by any means and I encourage other members to add as they see fit...... but please add images as well as descriptions
There are two basic categories, a drilled tank and a non drilled tank. A drilled tank is infinately more superior to a non drilled tank, a non drilled tank relies on a syphon system.
Option 1 - Non Drilled Tank, Overflow Box
There are a variety of commercial units available and several DIY versions in the MASA DIY forum. I do not like these and would not generally recommend them, although some people have been running these systems for a long time with little hassle.
Option 2 - Drilled Tanks
Here follows a series of images which show different overflows for drilled tanks, be the hole in the base or the side panel. Note that these images are schematic only and that they show the concept not specific measurements. I would strongly recommend re-enforcing every hole drilled with a 6mm glass patch with the same diameter hole drilled in it, this may be viewed as overkill but rather safe than sorry ....
Corner overflow V1
This overflow takes up little space (reef real estate), is an easy DIY project, can be covered with persbex etc to hide the inner workings, but unlike the coast to coast versions shown below, does not have a great surface skimming ability.
Corner Overflow V2
This overflow takes up less space (reef real estate) than the square corner overflow box, is an easy DIY project, can be covered with persbex etc to hide the inner workings, but unlike the coast to coast versions shown below, does not have a great surface skimming ability. Due the the extremely small space available to work in, making any adjustments to the durso etc is difficult.
Central box overflow
This overflow takes up little space (reef real estate), is an easy DIY project, can be covered with persbex etc to hide the inner workings, but unlike the coast to coast versions shown below, does not have a great surface skimming ability (it does however have a better surface skimming ability than the corner overflow options)
Skinny central overflow V1
This overflow takes up very little real estate in the tank and exits out the side panel with a tank connector. the skimming ability is not particularly great and one runs the risk of getting things stick in the overflow due to it being so thin.
Skinny central overflow V2
Very similar to the above version, this simply exits out of the base as opposed to the side panel.
Internal overflow box
Situated inside the tank but only in the upper portions this version of an overflow takes up little real estate, Skimming is on par with the versions above but this version MAY proove noisy as adding a durso in such confined space may be problematic
External overflow box
From a real estate perspective this is the best overflow design as it takes up zero space, surface skimming is acceptable, however the external box attached to the tank may look unsightly
Coast to Coast V1
This offers excellent surface skimming but some feel this overflow is unsightly.
Coast to coast V2
Again, excellent surface skimming but takes up real estate and is unsightly.
Skinny Coast to Coast
Good surface skimming, and takes up little real estate but shares the risks as outlined with the other skinny overflows. A similar version to the image above is often used where the hole is in the base, as shown in the image "skinny central overflow V2" shown above
Remember all overflows should be constructed in the same thickness of glass as the sides of the tank, not thinner
Hopefully you can now make an educated choice as to how you want your new tank to be designed and built
Trying to balance a pump from the display tank with a pump from the sump (a two pump system) regardless of safety valves, cut off switches etc is inviting disaster :nono:
Either the Sump must be fed by gravity (when the sump is located below the DT) or the DT must be fed by gravity (when the Sump is above the DT) ...
Now depending on your specific design criteria and space available there are a number of possibilities when designing an overflow (whether this is a DIY project or a a custom build by a LFS)
The list below is not an exhaustive list by any means and I encourage other members to add as they see fit...... but please add images as well as descriptions
There are two basic categories, a drilled tank and a non drilled tank. A drilled tank is infinately more superior to a non drilled tank, a non drilled tank relies on a syphon system.
Option 1 - Non Drilled Tank, Overflow Box
There are a variety of commercial units available and several DIY versions in the MASA DIY forum. I do not like these and would not generally recommend them, although some people have been running these systems for a long time with little hassle.
Option 2 - Drilled Tanks
Here follows a series of images which show different overflows for drilled tanks, be the hole in the base or the side panel. Note that these images are schematic only and that they show the concept not specific measurements. I would strongly recommend re-enforcing every hole drilled with a 6mm glass patch with the same diameter hole drilled in it, this may be viewed as overkill but rather safe than sorry ....
Corner overflow V1
This overflow takes up little space (reef real estate), is an easy DIY project, can be covered with persbex etc to hide the inner workings, but unlike the coast to coast versions shown below, does not have a great surface skimming ability.
Corner Overflow V2
This overflow takes up less space (reef real estate) than the square corner overflow box, is an easy DIY project, can be covered with persbex etc to hide the inner workings, but unlike the coast to coast versions shown below, does not have a great surface skimming ability. Due the the extremely small space available to work in, making any adjustments to the durso etc is difficult.
Central box overflow
This overflow takes up little space (reef real estate), is an easy DIY project, can be covered with persbex etc to hide the inner workings, but unlike the coast to coast versions shown below, does not have a great surface skimming ability (it does however have a better surface skimming ability than the corner overflow options)
Skinny central overflow V1
This overflow takes up very little real estate in the tank and exits out the side panel with a tank connector. the skimming ability is not particularly great and one runs the risk of getting things stick in the overflow due to it being so thin.
Skinny central overflow V2
Very similar to the above version, this simply exits out of the base as opposed to the side panel.
Internal overflow box
Situated inside the tank but only in the upper portions this version of an overflow takes up little real estate, Skimming is on par with the versions above but this version MAY proove noisy as adding a durso in such confined space may be problematic
External overflow box
From a real estate perspective this is the best overflow design as it takes up zero space, surface skimming is acceptable, however the external box attached to the tank may look unsightly
Coast to Coast V1
This offers excellent surface skimming but some feel this overflow is unsightly.
Coast to coast V2
Again, excellent surface skimming but takes up real estate and is unsightly.
Skinny Coast to Coast
Good surface skimming, and takes up little real estate but shares the risks as outlined with the other skinny overflows. A similar version to the image above is often used where the hole is in the base, as shown in the image "skinny central overflow V2" shown above
Remember all overflows should be constructed in the same thickness of glass as the sides of the tank, not thinner
Hopefully you can now make an educated choice as to how you want your new tank to be designed and built
