SMALL overflow box...do they make them?

[Sea~Horse~Whisperer]

I want to add a sump to my Sea horse tank. How would I get the water to and from the sump on a 20G tank that needs LOW flow? All of the overflow boxes I see or can find online are at least 300 - 600gph. I need about 100GPH. Anyone have any ideas? The sump tank will be 30 Gallons.

I'd appreciate any help or suggestions.

Thanks,
Angie

[perpetual98]

Good question. I think that the basic physics of them make them require more flow to prevent air bubbles. You can look for smaller u-tubes or j-tubes and work them that way.

[dakar]

Angie, any overflow box will work, if it's designed properly it will only remove as much water from the tank as is replaced by the return pump. Keeping the water level constant in the tank. So in reality what you need to adjust is the rate of return from the sump.

[perpetual98]

That's true to a point, but some require more flow or else they're going to get bubbles in them and you have to take extra measures to make sure your siphon doesn't break.

[dakar]

Sounds like good place for a weir box with a standpipe.

[Sea~Horse~Whisperer]

Angie, any overflow box will work, if it's designed properly it will only remove as much water from the tank as is replaced by the return pump. Keeping the water level constant in the tank. So in reality what you need to adjust is the rate of return from the sump.



LoL Here is a pic of the only OF box I have (1200+ GPH) Somehow I don't think I'd get this to work on my 20G tank. I don't have U tubes either. I bought it this way, but I have never used it, so are there Supposed to be U tubes on/ in this box?

Thanks,
Angie

[Sea~Horse~Whisperer]

what is a weir box? with a standpipe?

Thanks,
Angie

[dakar]

what is a weir box? with a standpipe?

Thanks,
Angie

What you have there is a weir box :-) No U-tubes needed, the interior chamber replaces them.

A standpipe? You've seen them before and didn't know it had a name is all... self starting siphon, by adjusting the hieght of elbow you can adjust the waterlevel in the box and the flow rate.

here's a pic to jog your memory.

[Sea~Horse~Whisperer]

Ohhh Dugh!!!!!!! 'Nuff said.

[KG]

Angie, you could make one. Just take the dimensions for the one you found and scale it down.

KG

[davejnz]

Angie,Reefermadness(Keri) just had the same problem with his U-Tube oveflow,not enough flow thus causing air bubbles to accumulate in the tube eventually breaking siphon.What i suggested to him was to drill a small hole on the top of the U-tube,glue a an airline tube fitting to it,then attach some airline to the fitting and run it into a small venturi powerhead in the sump.According to Keri,it has worked flawlessly.BTW,i have 3 extra U-tube overflows sitting in my garage.Your welcome to one if you'd like,drop me a PM if intersted

[davejnz]

And as for your 100gph recommendation,I think 300gph would serve you much better.I realise this is a seahorse tank,and 300gph might sound like alot of flow but it isn't about GPH its about velocity.By useing a large(1 to 1.25")"output 300gph will only feel like a trickle from a faucet.You can even further reduce the velocity by useing dual 1" outputs