Filtration??

[dberrong]

Overflow box question. A lot of the boxes are simply two boxes. One in the tank, and one on the outside of the tank. A hose is then bent between the two as a siphon. If I left plenty of room in my sump for overflow, why not just run a siphon straight from PVC to the sump? Let the pipe sit about 1/2" in the water and hook over the tank and run straight to the sump? Please tell me what is wrong with my logic.

[dberrong]

Anyone know anything about pajama Cardinals? I got two for christmas and I don't know anything about them.

[dberrong]

I finally figured out the gallery. Please take a look and tell me what you think.

[melev]

Overflow box question. A lot of the boxes are simply two boxes. One in the tank, and one on the outside of the tank. A hose is then bent between the two as a siphon. If I left plenty of room in my sump for overflow, why not just run a siphon straight from PVC to the sump? Let the pipe sit about 1/2" in the water and hook over the tank and run straight to the sump? Please tell me what is wrong with my logic.

Because it will siphon your tank dry. It is not an option. If it doesn't siphon the tank, instead the siphon is broken while the return pump just keeps pushing up water.

Take a look at this picture to understand how it works:


And this one:


You should probably read this page carefully.
http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

[dberrong]

OK. I think I get it. If the pump turns off, the outer box drains the water as the siphon sucks the water from the inner box. But since there is still some water in the hose and outer box, when the pump comes back on, the siphon is maintained and gravity starts pulling the water from one box to the other. Is this correct? The siphon in this design would never be broken even when the pump is off. Am I understanding that correctly?

[roadcrew]

when i was investigating getting an overflow for my tank, i didnt get the reason for the two boxes either. i understand your confusion dbrrong. not until i saw it in use did i understand. then its real simple. i think your catching on. i had the same thought process your having. just trust the design and you'll be modifing it soon enough. i know this was no help, just adding my 2.

[dberrong]

Thanks roadcrew. I tend to overthink things. I have a tendency of trying to come up with my own way of doing things and thus make them more complicated. I've found a couple of overflow boxes on Ebay for around $40. I think I'll purchase that today. I also have a 30g tank that was given to me because it was leaking. I found the bottom edge that was leaking and I siliconed it last night. I just checked it and....NO leaks! I'll let it sit over night to make sure I have the leak fixed. Next will be getting the glass cut for the baffles and chamber seperation. I'm going to try to take pix along the way so that I ya'll can give me advice and so that others might learn from what I'm doing.

[melev]

OK. I think I get it. If the pump turns off, the outer box drains the water as the siphon sucks the water from the inner box. But since there is still some water in the hose and outer box, when the pump comes back on, the siphon is maintained and gravity starts pulling the water from one box to the other. Is this correct? The siphon in this design would never be broken even when the pump is off. Am I understanding that correctly?

That's correct. The outer box has to have enough water to keep that tube submerged.

[dberrong]

I leave for a few hours and come back to a leaking tank. At least it is slower. I guess I'm not good at fixing, just good at slowing things down. LOL. I'll do some more operations on the tank tomorrow. I'm determined to fix this tank!

[dberrong]

Well, I've located the small leaks, stipped away the old silicon, and laid down a nice fresh new silicon layer. I'll filler up tomorrow and see what I have. I bought the overflow box from ebay and I should get that after christmas. There is just something about DIY that makes you feel fantastic!!