overflow and sump

[tsquad]

i have an empty 55 gallon all glass aquarium, and i am planning on setting up a saltwater tank...i am confused about sumps and overflows though...my tank has no overflow...is this a problem (i have no idea what an overflow is or is used for, could someone please tell me?)...and also, would a sump be useful and how would i go about making one, without driling holes? thanks.

-tsquad (confused)

[Reefland]

Hi tsquad, Welcome to Reefland!

A sump is an external compartment that holds additional water volume and equipment needed for the display tank, such as heaters, protein skimmers, etc. These compartments sit under (or at least lower) the display tank and require a return pump to move water that drains for your display, back to the display.

An overflow is the unit that drains water from your display to the sump. These can be internal overflows (considered "reef-ready" aqauriums) which have a whole drilled behind them that allows water to gravity feed to the sump. An external overflow is needed when the aqaurium is not drilled but a sump is still desired. This unit uses a U tube typically that siphons water from the display and allows it to drain into the sump. The operation is a bit more complicated than that but this is a brief synopsis. The "reef-ready" design is the choice because there are no concerns with it's operation after a power outage, unlike an external overflow which may break siphon and cause a mess.

You could use the search feature to learn more. If you have any specific questions please let us know.

[Samper]

Welcome to reefland !!!!
It's the perfect place to learn.........and keep learning..............and still more learning.

[tsquad]

listening to what you just told me, im assuming it would be a good investment to sell my tank and buy one that is reef ready and pre drilled (i looked at prices, they arent much more than my tank cost)...so i guess i should do this?


this is a new edit...
i have been searching on this site, and others, and i found a hang on overflow (CPR Continuous Siphon)...this is quality right? should i get this?

[Reefland]

I enjoy the peace of mind that a drilled tank provides me; I have absolutely no worries. However an external overflow, if it's a continuous siphon overflow can be effective. People on this forum use the CPR but they also use a small powerhead inside it to make sure the siphon starts up after a power outage. Other people use the Lifereef overflow which is a good brand.

If you have the option to pick up a reef-ready tank, this is what I would suggest though.

[tsquad]

what does the power head inside the CPR do during a power outtage? it keeps it running? and also, if that is so , the only thing i need to worry about with the CPR is a power outtage then, right? once again thanks for all the help.

[Reefland]

Sometimes during a power outage, an external overflow such as the CPR will loose it's siphon. When the power kicks back in, the return pump from your sump turns on pumping water into the tank, but the overflow does not start... You can see the mess.

If a powerhead is used inside the CPR (I can speak exactly to how it is placed) and it looses siphon, when the power kicks back on the powerhead will restart the siphon. If however the powerhead don't start, your back to square 1 with a big mess.

[tsquad]

ok so if i get the CPR and put the powerhead in and everything, i should be ok then?

[Reefland]

Like I mentioned, it's still a risk if the powerhead don't restart. Most people don't have any problems I just want to make sure you there is a chance.

[tsquad]

ok thanks for all your help...ill surely be back with more questions in a month or 2...thats when i can start my aquarium (im 15 and i have to have B's or better this semester to be able to do it)

[Reefland]

Good luck to you! The single most important piece of advice is to simply not rush into anything. Use the time you have now without a tank running to research every possibility and ask every question you have 4 times to make sure you get it right. It's a very expensive hobby and it's best to ask twice and buy once if you know what I mean.

[tsquad]

yup...ive been researching probably about a year now, last year i got a C+ in french ( i was a freshman and it was a college level french course, i thought a C+ was good enough)....so i have been waiting a while, im really excited thanks for your help

[tsquad]

my dad was extra nice to me, and since im getting really good grades, he has decided to let me get the hang of saltwater before i do my full tank...he agreed to let me culture my own live sand and basically get the beneficial bacteria going. what i assume i will do is a. get some crushed coral b. get some garf grunge c. get the equipment (heater, filter, salt mix, light[?]). if im missing anything, or my assumed plan probly wont work out, what do you guys suggest?

[saltjunkie]

DO NOT get the CPR overflow...
I speak from experience...

Get a standard overflow like the LIFEREEF mentioned...
i have a generic version of that style, have had for years,, with no troubles..
had a cpr overflow for less than a month.. it does not even need a power outage to break siphon and be a big mess!

Do not get the CPR...

[Poseidon]

I have the CPR and love it... No Problems at all over the last 18 month's. Like Scott mentioned I use a powerhead to restart the siphon in event of a power failure. One point to clarify though, the powerhead is in my sump, with an airline running from the CPR's "nipple" to the powerheads Venturi. If the power goes out, the venturi sucks all the air out of the overflow and the siphon starts... Usually there is not much air to remove either.

[tsquad]

ok, so now i think i will get the LIFEREEF overflow. does this come with a kit for plumbing and such to get the water down to the sump? and everyone says "mag 12 return pump" so i guess that is how i will get the water back into the aquarium. and i am baffled by what people call "baffles" (haha get it?) what are they and what is their purpose? thanks, i think im finally beginning to understand everything.

[barlav]

I'm planning on using a CPR overflow in the near future. I'm super paranoid about floods so I'm planning on using an Aqualifter pump to maintain siphon continuously and I'm planning on hooking a float switch to the sump return pump that will shut it off if the water in the main tank gets too high. And, I might even consider using 2 float switches wired in series just to minimize the chance of a flood if anything fails. Yes, I know, overkill but better safe than sorry hehe.

[barlav]

Oh, and baffles are to "trap" bubbles that might accumulate in the some of the sections of your sump (such as the skimmer section). They prevent the bubbles from reaching your return chamber and ultimately your show tank. They're just a few pieces of glass or acrylic separating one section of the sump from another that force the water to travel "down/up/down" during the transition from one chamber to another.