External overflow box - how does it work?

[zenscape]

I have a 2-tier tank, top and bottom and a chiller of high capacity. I met David of Pacific Coo and he suggested that I get an 'Overflow Box' to cool down both tanks. As getting another chiller will take up more space, I am seriously considering this suggestion.

I understand that overflow box is for sump tank without pipes and holes drilled in tank and more or less, a marine tank equipment.

May I know where can I take a look at this Overflow Box and how it works?

[bossteck]

Hi Maurice,

You can take a look at the first few paragraphs of this site

The diagram more of less explains how it works.

Running an external overflow box would usually mean that your upper and lower tanks will 'share water', flip side of this will be obvious during outbreak of diseases (touch wood).

P.S. I have renamed your thread to make it a little more meaningful.

[zenscape]

Thanks for the link, Eric.

[CK Yeo]

From Chuck Gadd's Website


You can DIY too with bottles and pipes. Need some trial and error to prevent the siphon from breaking and flood the room. I am using a DIY version now.

ck

[BFG]

If you are staying near West Coast, there's a marine lfs, Jireh. They sell overflow made by pvc pipes. Address is West Coast Drive ( Beside Ayer Rajah Hawker Center) HDB shop House Blk 505 , Unit #01-210 .

[mok]

There is a tank at Biotope running on DIY'ed external overflow box. It's the tank half filled with Bolbitis and stemmed plants for sale. You may want to take a look at it for some DIY ideas.

[CK Yeo]

Someone selling the DIY pipe version here.

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=330866


ck

[quix]

I am using an overflow using PVC pipes as listed above. It's definitely very good option and not that difficult to assemble. But for 30 bucks the guy is selling, just get it!

[CK Yeo]

Only concern might be that it is meant for tall/big tanks, so you might need to do some adjustment to fit in a smaller tank. It doesn't seem to have a priming outlet too.

The one in Biotope does not have the overflow box in the tank. i.e.

• When the pump cuts off, it will continue to siphon until the water level falls below the intake level and the siphon breaks.
• It is balancing between the pump return and the siphon. Too little return, senario aboves happens and siphon breaks, but tank still eventually fills up and overflows. Too delicate and flood prone.
• Water level in the tank is not maintained.

ck

[quix]

Hmm not sure how the biotope's one is like. The one listed for sale up there works perfectly like any other overflow box. To prime it, fill the pipe with water via the pipe with the cap, suck using mouth via same hole to get water flowing and all air pockets out. Then it can start working as normal. The rate of water flowing down will be equal to rate of water getting pumped up. Water level can be maintained by pushing the pipe with holes cut(the intake part inside the tank) up or down to the level you want.

[CK Yeo]

Another one for sale.

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=330943


ck