jeremoose Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Hey all, I'm looking into putting a sump in under my 50g and I just have a question here.. Do I have to use an overflow? Or can I just put the syphon right into the tank and drop it straight down to the sump? So usually it goes Main Tank ==> Overflow ==> Syphon ==> Sump ==> Pump ==> Main Tank. Can I just drop the overflow from this setup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 The reason people use an overflow is to avoid the whole tank draining in case of a power outage - the overflow is only a few gallons, at most, an shouldn't overload the sump if the pump stops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremoose Posted November 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 Thanks for the response. I'm going to solve the overflow in case of power outage problem by simply drilling a whole in the out-take about an inch below the water line, so if the power goes out the pressure inside the syphon will be broke once the tank drops by an inch or so. Otherwise there's no reason to use an overflow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 I had that exact set up in a 30gal for a while. The only problem is when a snail decides to go into the pipe and block it, then the tank flooded; but, that was solved by cutting a piece of eggcrate and placing it just into the pipe, so that most of the eggcrate was sticking out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremoose Posted November 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 Ahhhh alrighty, so that setup worked fine for you then? I'm really interested in putting a sump setup together but I just am not willing to empty the tank to install an overflow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 Go to MonsterFishKeepers.com and look in their DIY Forum. There is tonnes of info about making and HOB Overflow - it's cheap and easy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damtrees Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 have to make sure they syphon will start up again when power goes back on you ca get a overflow box that hangs on the back and will start the syphon again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremoose Posted November 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 Okay thanks everyone. It's pretty much setup now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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