This video answered all of my questions i ever had ...I wish I would have seen this years ago.Not kidding...I had so many questions for years and I have been in this hobby for 15 years ...I have never used a overflow box but will be using one soon. Thanks for going into details...Much needed.
Excellent video, I know it was a year ago, but just two notes: 1) if you don't get all of the air out of that u-bend, then it can't handle as many gph. That air takes up space and the flowrate depends on the cross-sectional area at the top of that overflow. If ¾ of that top volume is still full of air, then you're only using ¼ of it to transport water, and you can only handle about ¼ of the gph. Now maybe if you had removed all of the air the pump still may have been too powerful for it, but it might not have. After all, a 1,200 gph pump usually only pumps about 800 gph when you factor in losses from nominal head and friction head. 2) it's great that you talk about precautions around power loss, but for us planted freshwater folks, a clogged overflow is a significant concern too, and your video inadvertently demonstrates the risk of that. Sizing the return chamber so the max volume there is less than the volume of the gap at the top of the tank is a very simple way to deal with that. I'd rather burn up a pump from running it dry than flood my living room (and a solenoid float valve in the return chamber can deal with that, too).
if anyone has problems with sucking the air out of the tube, for example when I tried this method I couldn't get the air out and saltwater filled my mouth on multiple occasions lol. I used Saran (plastic) wrap, covered one end and filled the U tube with water as much as I could then I covered the other end. made sure there was enough water inside both boxes and them dumped the tube into box. once the two ends were submerged I then removed the plastic wrap and a strong siphon started. if there is still a small air bubble just keep shaking the tube but make sure the ends do not come out of the water. this might take a couple of minutes, usually no more than 5. the air will work its way out and you'll hear an even stronger suction.
Could you use a one way airline valve into the hole that you drill in the return with the arrow pointing into the pipe so water can't get out but air can get in and break the siphon?
What you also could do is buy a pump with speed selector. put a stripe on your sump and tank then select a speed athat does not overflow your sump or tank make sure to use a second pump so when the first one does not turn back on the second takes over. Also use one that has internet connection so if something does happen you get an alarm on your phone and to keep things good. You could turn the pump off so it wont over flow your tank.
You probably could install a level checker (sorry I don't know the exact term) in the sump that switches the pump off when the level goes down too much in the sump
FINALLY!!! A comprehensive video that can be easily followed and understood with a simple, easy to understand layout! Thank you!!
This video answered all of my questions i ever had ...I wish I would have seen this years ago.Not kidding...I had so many questions for years and I have been in this hobby for 15 years ...I have never used a overflow box but will be using one soon.
Thanks for going into details...Much needed.
most useful hangover overflow box video I've seen. Thank you.
Excellent video, I know it was a year ago, but just two notes:
1) if you don't get all of the air out of that u-bend, then it can't handle as many gph. That air takes up space and the flowrate depends on the cross-sectional area at the top of that overflow. If ¾ of that top volume is still full of air, then you're only using ¼ of it to transport water, and you can only handle about ¼ of the gph. Now maybe if you had removed all of the air the pump still may have been too powerful for it, but it might not have. After all, a 1,200 gph pump usually only pumps about 800 gph when you factor in losses from nominal head and friction head.
2) it's great that you talk about precautions around power loss, but for us planted freshwater folks, a clogged overflow is a significant concern too, and your video inadvertently demonstrates the risk of that. Sizing the return chamber so the max volume there is less than the volume of the gap at the top of the tank is a very simple way to deal with that. I'd rather burn up a pump from running it dry than flood my living room (and a solenoid float valve in the return chamber can deal with that, too).
Spectacularly comprehensive video. Thanks!
Perfectly explained. Thanks a lot for the 101 overflow lesson.
Thank you for your help, love your store and helped me out with the setup process which has been very difficult. Great video, helped me a ton!
Great information thanks.
if anyone has problems with sucking the air out of the tube, for example when I tried this method I couldn't get the air out and saltwater filled my mouth on multiple occasions lol.
I used Saran (plastic) wrap, covered one end and filled the U tube with water as much as I could then I covered the other end. made sure there was enough water inside both boxes and them dumped the tube into box. once the two ends were submerged I then removed the plastic wrap and a strong siphon started. if there is still a small air bubble just keep shaking the tube but make sure the ends do not come out of the water. this might take a couple of minutes, usually no more than 5. the air will work its way out and you'll hear an even stronger suction.
Could you use a one way airline valve into the hole that you drill in the return with the arrow pointing into the pipe so water can't get out but air can get in and break the siphon?
What you also could do is buy a pump with speed selector. put a stripe on your sump and tank then select a speed athat does not overflow your sump or tank make sure to use a second pump so when the first one does not turn back on the second takes over. Also use one that has internet connection so if something does happen you get an alarm on your phone and to keep things good. You could turn the pump off so it wont over flow your tank.
Great explanation
I think it's the overflow box itself limiting the flow rate to less than the pump.
Hey I have that same overflow box where did u get your overflow box tubing
With these types of overflows, how would you keep babies out in case you have fish start breeding?
Soooo say my overflow clogs. An the return pump is still going.. is there a failsafe for that senario?
You probably could install a level checker (sorry I don't know the exact term) in the sump that switches the pump off when the level goes down too much in the sump