Overflows

tane · #1 01/27/2001, 11:48 PM

Hi there,
This question is for the people that don't have the benefits of drilled tanks with overflows. I'm trying to get one for my tank. It's a 150g tank. Any good recomendations? Noise is a big thing with me, so please let me know if the overflow boxes you guys have make a lot of loud gurgling sounds...

Thx - Ewe Chye

MtnDewMan · #2 01/28/2001, 12:29 AM

I have a lifereef overflow box ... 700 gph capacity. They provide dual boxes for 1400 gph capacity. I used a modified durso style standpipe on it for noise reduction (Ken Stockman design) and it silences the noise real well.

The lifereef has been very dependable, good construction, good design and great in not losing a siphon.

hughem · #3 01/28/2001, 01:22 AM

I have an Americle overflow on my 125. The outside box has 2 chambers, so the U-tube is always under water at both ends. It has never lost syphon.

I plumbed the drain chamber with a 1" PVC slip-to-thread connector into a union underneith. Then I cut a piece of 1" PVC, drilled a bunch of holes in it, notched the top and pushed it into the slip connector in the bottom. This increases the level of the water in the drain chamber, reducing noise from water fall. Then I keep a folded towel over the top of the overflow box, and I can't hear it at all.

I also plumbed a 45 bend right below the union and ran the PVC at an angle, which reduces noise further.

I doubt you will find an overflow setup that you can't silence with moderate effort.

Q-ball · #4 01/28/2001, 11:52 AM

Hiya, Actually I have found one that was silent right from the start (as silent as they can be anyhow) I have a MarineLand SOS overflow on my 65g, 600gph I think it is and right from the start it was quiet. I was/am very impressed with this unit. I've had it over a year now and never lost siphon either. If I ever need another HOB Overflow, it'll be another SOS unless I need alot more flow. Just my .02...

Q!!!

Merkur · #5 01/28/2001, 12:16 PM

From a reliability and simplicity standpoint you can't beat lifereef overflows. They have worked very good for me. Mine are noisy, doesn't bother me or my female roomate at all.

As poeple have mentioned, thier are ways to silence them.

Just be sure to clean the algea from the u-tubes on an as needed bases. its a two minute job.

One thing i did was epoxy an airline tube into the top of the apogee of the u-tube and put an airline connector on the end. that way i can just open the airline and give a quik suck to restart my siphon after i clean them.

I also added a UPC back-ups to my main circulation pump, this will run my main pump (mag 12) for about 4 hours upon a power outage. Though i really really doubt it matters that much as these things ALWAYS retain thier siphon.

Tim M Hovey