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View Full Version : Do I need an overflow?


kabe87
04/14/2015, 10:28 AM
I was thinking of making a fuge in a separate tank, this tank will only serve as a refugium. Do I need to make an overflow? Or can I just drill the side (It will be bean animal)?

RocketEngineer
04/14/2015, 11:22 AM
The purpose of the overflow box is to pull the water from the surface. As oils and proteins are partially hydrophobic, they collect at the surface of the tank. By using an overflow box, you remove these from the tank and send the dirty water to the skimmer for removal.

If you have a low enough flow rate, a single upturned elbow of sufficient diameter can serve as an overflow. Just remember that the longer the edge the water flows over, the better the overflow will be at removing the oil slick.

kabe87
04/14/2015, 11:30 AM
Thanks for the response RocketEngineer.

What Im hoping to achieve es to add a refugium on a different tank.
So this is what Im trying to do
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11160281_10152887084128380_1099588881_n.jpg?oh=cb5b73327f1b401cba654978c889933d&oe=552F002C&__gda__=1429145021_6ec997ca57ebc439f358842d7e4b3219

Will this work? Do I have to add another overflow on the refugium? Or can I just drill the glass? The fuge tank won't have any fishes only some snails and live rock and hopefully macro algae in the near future

RocketEngineer
04/14/2015, 11:33 AM
No. You will have trouble balancing the double BeanAnimal. Instead have the display drain to the skimmer side of the sump and have the refugium drain after the skimmer. Control the flow to each by using a split off one pump or two different pumps. Independent control would be nice, then you could turn off one without worrying about the other. Just an idea.

kabe87
04/14/2015, 11:39 AM
Im kind of stupid with words so Ill just try to draw what you explained there.

Is this what you are suggesting?
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xta1/v/t34.0-12/11146079_10152887100538380_278983705_n.jpg?oh=67ae7459eaa0394a461772f7172e2227&oe=552F1D74&__gda__=1429223797_99a0580ab55fb2df79a1e118878ca6e4

cleverbs
04/14/2015, 11:48 AM
Yes that works well. Just be sure to have a GATE not ball valve on your return to the refugium. You will want a much much lower flow going through that then your display and if you just T if off you will have some issues.

I wouldnt use a bean on the fuge, I would just use a single upturned 90* elbow. If the drain is to loud just reduce flow from the return and it will become very quiet. Dursos are very quite with really low flow and that what you will want in the fuge anyways.

CStrickland
04/14/2015, 11:48 AM
do you have a skimmer, or is the bottom tank just for the return pump?

kabe87
04/14/2015, 11:52 AM
The box on the right in the bottom its supposed to be a skimmer :P

So on the refugium, what type of system (bean/herby/how many holes) should I use? Just 1 return pipe back to the sump?

smedlin
04/14/2015, 11:52 AM
No. You will have trouble balancing the double BeanAnimal. Instead have the display drain to the skimmer side of the sump and have the refugium drain after the skimmer. Control the flow to each by using a split off one pump or two different pumps. Independent control would be nice, then you could turn off one without worrying about the other. Just an idea.


Why would he drain the refugium to the non-skimmer portion? Is it because it won't need skimming?

Seems like since the two tanks are sharing the same water, you would want the fuge to dump into the skimmer also, to make sure as much water possible get's a chance to enter the skimmer?

Or does it really matter?

(asking to learn and get a better understanding...)

.

cleverbs
04/14/2015, 11:53 AM
well sure just use what ever size pipe you want, I am just saying get a Gate valve to put in the line so you can adjust the flow really well. The same thing that is used on a beans full siphone drain. People try to use ball valves and can never get it dialed in because it is very difficult to do.

cleverbs
04/14/2015, 11:54 AM
Why would he drain the refugium to the non-skimmer portion? Is it because it won't need skimming?

Seems like since the two tanks are sharing the same water, you would want the fuge to dump into the skimmer also, to make sure as much water possible get's a chance to enter the skimmer?

Or does it really matter?

(asking to learn and get a better understanding...)

.

I would have it drain to the skimmer side, The main reason is because if you have it go to the return side it doesnt have to go through the bubble trap in the sump and you will get bubbles right into your display tank.


The box on the right in the bottom its supposed to be a skimmer :P

So on the refugium, what type of system (bean/herby/how many holes) should I use? Just 1 return pipe back to the sump?

Just use a single hole as a drain.

kabe87
04/14/2015, 12:00 PM
Saddly, I have never seen a gate valve where I live. im still confused on how I should do the return plumbing on my refuge. and how many drain holes. (Pics will be of great help)

RocketEngineer
04/14/2015, 12:06 PM
Gate Valve: You likely have to order them. I've never found them in the big box stores around where I live.

Returns: The way you have it split so some water goes to the refugium and some goes to the display is fine. If you have valves on both lines you can adjust them according to their own needs.

Drains: If the fuge is just one drain (should be sufficient), consider going to 1.5" or even 2" pipe so there is plenty of space for air which will make it nice and quiet. For a BeanAnimal drain you want at least 1" but many need to go higher depending on flow (I think ~1500gph is the switch to the larger size plumbing ).

kabe87
04/14/2015, 12:17 PM
I promise this is my last picture (If I get it right)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11157001_10152887153723380_538800212_n.jpg?oh=6b884f5b12e38ad6d37fc17f2cc9c13b&oe=55303D07&__gda__=1429207667_4b7d2508a2e2d693343859087d6ce957

Is this the way of doing it?

RocketEngineer
04/14/2015, 02:02 PM
Yup. That would work.

kabe87
04/14/2015, 02:06 PM
Thank you very much :)

cleverbs
04/14/2015, 02:18 PM
Yup. That would work.

+1

also not a ball valve, gate only!

http://aquarium.bulkreefsupply.com/reefing/Pvc-Gate-Valve