Overflows

rbennett15 · 02/13/2012, 11:13 PM

Im going to be upgrading my 40B at the beginning of August and i want to start planning things early. What is the quietest and most fail-proof style of overflow out there? Im planning on going with either a 75, 90 or a 110 and use the 40 for the sump. In my current setup i have a corner durso style standpipe, but it makes a lot of noise as the water falls down into the sump. if at all possible i want something that is as silent as possible

OodleyBoodely · 02/13/2012, 11:41 PM

The most reliable and floodproof would be to drill your tank and use either the Herbie or BeanAnimal drain systems. IMO, any of the over the side overflows, even with so-called 'suction loss-proof' designs, or, air pump primers are still just a disaster waiting to happen. Sorry if that is not the answer you are looking for, but, personally I just don't think the over the sides are safe to recommend.

pco1988 · 02/14/2012, 12:38 AM

I ran a 120gal with an over the side overflow just fine for the better half of 2 years before I got my 210gal.

Mine were the manual ones, not the air pump primed ones. They stopped overflowing when the pump was off and worked just like a normal overflow should. That being said, most if not all have clear tubbing, and let me tell you algae can grow right in the U-tubes and its a pain to clean them out and then having to reprime them. They worked for that tank, but would never ever do it again, if I had the choice.

My 210 is drilled and I love it! Much easier to deal with, but they have their draw backs too. Everything does. I would write a list of pros and cons that you can find on the board and figure it out. Chances are someone is your area has diamond bits and knows what they are doing too!

jdm01 · 02/14/2012, 04:02 AM

I have two Marineland tanks. One 90G and one 65G. The price to buy drilled is about the same cost difference as an external overflow and it is WAY more reliable. Plus it is a cleaner look. The tank with come with the bulkheads and all of the hardware to set up the overflow. It is an easy set up and because it is all in the tank it is essentially flood proof.

Ron Reefman · 02/14/2012, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OodleyBoodely

The most reliable and floodproof would be to drill your tank and use either the Herbie or BeanAnimal drain systems. IMO, any of the over the side overflows, even with so-called 'suction loss-proof' designs, or, air pump primers are still just a disaster waiting to happen. Sorry if that is not the answer you are looking for, but, personally I just don't think the over the sides are safe to recommend.

Kind of an 'over the top' indictment of siphon overflows if you ask me. Siphon overflow systems have their issues, but if maintained and cared for, they can work just fine. Drilled tanks do work better, but they have their issues as well. OodleyBoodely is correct about the newer style of Herbie or BeanAnimal drilled tanks. They are the best way to go, but they are diy systems, no manufacturer of tanks supplies them that way... yet.

ryeguyy84 · 02/14/2012, 07:48 AM

I used a lifereef external overflow and never had a problem.

GPB · 02/14/2012, 08:54 AM

Lifereef!

Oppee · 02/14/2012, 10:58 AM

+1 for beananimal overflow

Griffs · 02/14/2012, 11:22 AM

I would recommend the herbie if you want the simplest design with the least amount of plumbing. The bean animal extends the herbie siphon principal by adding a 3rd safety pipe in his 'flood-proof' design. Both will suite your needs of being quiet.

You can easily retro fit the herbie into 'Reef-Ready' tanks easily, the bean animal will require a new custom overflow and tank drilling. I personally am going with a Herbie style in a new glass overflow that I designed. You can see the internal overflow design here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...3#post19878373

sporto0 · 02/14/2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OodleyBoodely

The most reliable and floodproof would be to drill your tank and use either the Herbie or BeanAnimal drain systems. IMO, any of the over the side overflows, even with so-called 'suction loss-proof' designs, or, air pump primers are still just a disaster waiting to happen. Sorry if that is not the answer you are looking for, but, personally I just don't think the over the sides are safe to recommend.

Well it's obvious you have never used an overflow box, or you would not have made that erroneous statement. I have used Eshopps overflow boxes for over 17 years now, through hurricanes, ice storms & extended power outages, NEVER HAD A FLOOD & never lost a siphon. Now I challenge you to do a search on this site for flooding & leaks & what you will find is that the vast majority involve your so called "most reliable" drilled tanks. It's ok to have & express an opinion on equiptment preference, but please get your facts together before you go calling something "a disaster waiting to happen", just because you don't think they are safe to recommend.

a.browning · 02/14/2012, 11:41 AM

Look into the Beananimal overflow setup, it's the most reliable and silent. Whatever you do, I'd get a drilled tank personally and go from there. Or buy a non-drilled and drill for you own overflow. That is what I will be doing for my upgrade, so I can position the overflow box wherever I want, and I don't have those black columns taking up a ton of unnecessary space.

rbennett15 · 02/14/2012, 11:48 AM

My plan is to drill the tank myself, I did my 40b and found it was very easy to do. So it looks like the consensus here is either the Herbie or the beananimal style. Im leaning towards the beananimal, would it be recommended to create a coast to coast overflow box? Or just one just large enough to house the return plumbing?

Griffs · 02/14/2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbennett15

My plan is to drill the tank myself, I did my 40b and found it was very easy to do. So it looks like the consensus here is either the Herbie or the beananimal style. Im leaning towards the beananimal, would it be recommended to create a coast to coast overflow box? Or just one just large enough to house the return plumbing?

The coast to coast will provide better surface skimming than the smaller overflow. If I had to do it over again, I would go with the C2C.

02/13/2012, 11:13 PM	#1
rbennett15 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 160	Overflows Im going to be upgrading my 40B at the beginning of August and i want to start planning things early. What is the quietest and most fail-proof style of overflow out there? Im planning on going with either a 75, 90 or a 110 and use the 40 for the sump. In my current setup i have a corner durso style standpipe, but it makes a lot of noise as the water falls down into the sump. if at all possible i want something that is as silent as possible Last edited by rbennett15; 02/13/2012 at 11:18 PM.

02/13/2012, 11:41 PM	#2
OodleyBoodely Kerry Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Azle, Tx Posts: 748	The most reliable and floodproof would be to drill your tank and use either the Herbie or BeanAnimal drain systems. IMO, any of the over the side overflows, even with so-called 'suction loss-proof' designs, or, air pump primers are still just a disaster waiting to happen. Sorry if that is not the answer you are looking for, but, personally I just don't think the over the sides are safe to recommend. __________________ 37gal w/LED lighting with cement/oystershell/perlite background, DSB, 20l sump w/refugium with 30lbs lr, Reef Octo skimmer, royal gramma, purple firefish, 3 pajamas ------------------------------------- Ol' Fatty DIY Reefer Woman

02/14/2012, 12:38 AM	#3
pco1988 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Riva, MD Posts: 307	I ran a 120gal with an over the side overflow just fine for the better half of 2 years before I got my 210gal. Mine were the manual ones, not the air pump primed ones. They stopped overflowing when the pump was off and worked just like a normal overflow should. That being said, most if not all have clear tubbing, and let me tell you algae can grow right in the U-tubes and its a pain to clean them out and then having to reprime them. They worked for that tank, but would never ever do it again, if I had the choice. My 210 is drilled and I love it! Much easier to deal with, but they have their draw backs too. Everything does. I would write a list of pros and cons that you can find on the board and figure it out. Chances are someone is your area has diamond bits and knows what they are doing too! __________________ Philip There are two types of people in this hobby: "The ones who have had a tank crash, and the ones that are going to have a tank crash" Current Tank Info: 210gal and 30gal reefs

02/14/2012, 04:02 AM	#4
jdm01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Greenfield Posts: 895	I have two Marineland tanks. One 90G and one 65G. The price to buy drilled is about the same cost difference as an external overflow and it is WAY more reliable. Plus it is a cleaner look. The tank with come with the bulkheads and all of the hardware to set up the overflow. It is an easy set up and because it is all in the tank it is essentially flood proof. __________________ John Martin Current Tank Info: 65 gallon Marineland reef tank; 90 gallon Marineland reef tank

02/14/2012, 08:54 AM	#7
GPB Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 628	Lifereef! __________________ It is what it is! Current Tank Info: Oceanic 37g cube, AquaC Remora Skimmer, 6 x T5 ligts, SSB, 10g sump, GFO, GAC, Polyfilter

02/14/2012, 07:48 AM	#6
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,247	I used a lifereef external overflow and never had a problem.

02/14/2012, 10:58 AM	#8
Oppee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 51	+1 for beananimal overflow

02/14/2012, 11:22 AM	#9
Griffs Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 18	I would recommend the herbie if you want the simplest design with the least amount of plumbing. The bean animal extends the herbie siphon principal by adding a 3rd safety pipe in his 'flood-proof' design. Both will suite your needs of being quiet. You can easily retro fit the herbie into 'Reef-Ready' tanks easily, the bean animal will require a new custom overflow and tank drilling. I personally am going with a Herbie style in a new glass overflow that I designed. You can see the internal overflow design here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...3#post19878373

02/14/2012, 11:41 AM	#11
a.browning Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 839	Look into the Beananimal overflow setup, it's the most reliable and silent. Whatever you do, I'd get a drilled tank personally and go from there. Or buy a non-drilled and drill for you own overflow. That is what I will be doing for my upgrade, so I can position the overflow box wherever I want, and I don't have those black columns taking up a ton of unnecessary space. __________________ ~~75g SPS and Wrasse reef~~

02/14/2012, 11:48 AM	#12
rbennett15 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 160	My plan is to drill the tank myself, I did my 40b and found it was very easy to do. So it looks like the consensus here is either the Herbie or the beananimal style. Im leaning towards the beananimal, would it be recommended to create a coast to coast overflow box? Or just one just large enough to house the return plumbing?