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Filtration in overflow boxes
- Thread starter Dave
- Start date
I'm confused...and that's pretty easy to do. Having an internal or external overflow is not going to determine the means of filtration. When we had the 46 bowfront with an external HOB overflow, we had a 40 g breeder as a sump/refugium. When we moved over to the 90, with an internal overflow (drilled), we still used the 40 breeder.
redfishbluefish said:
Agreed. I am asking because I have two internal overflow boxes, and the tank is not drilled. I am curious what others that may have a similar set up are doing.
For example, is anyone keeping all of their filtration contained within the tank/overflows. i.e. no export of water?
If so, what methods are they finding works for them.
Primarily, I was trying to get others ideas/successes.
I am a little export water phobic so I am especially interested in methods that are fully contained in the confines of the 4 tanks "walls".
I think we have a few running canister filters...don't know if you would consider that exporting.
We have Paul B. who is using an under-the-gravel filter system...although I'm not sure if he is also running a sump. I'm sure he'll chime in.
And the nano / smaller tank people who have some version of HOB (hang on the back) type of sump/refugium/skimmer.
I believe the majority of big tank people run some sort of sump and or refugium where they "export" the water out of their tank using either a HOB overflow (not drilled) or internal overflow (drilled), and then "import" the water back to the display tank using some sort of pump.
We have Paul B. who is using an under-the-gravel filter system...although I'm not sure if he is also running a sump. I'm sure he'll chime in.
And the nano / smaller tank people who have some version of HOB (hang on the back) type of sump/refugium/skimmer.
I believe the majority of big tank people run some sort of sump and or refugium where they "export" the water out of their tank using either a HOB overflow (not drilled) or internal overflow (drilled), and then "import" the water back to the display tank using some sort of pump.
Dave said:
That is what most of the all in one nano type tanks have.
I had a refugium set up in mine, along with a bag of phosbane, and I also used filter floss that I replaced every few days. Don't see why you couldn't do the same inside that tank....bit of a different approach but suppose doable. Downside is that it doesn't increase you water volume or hide equipment.
I don't export water at all, I do have a remora skimmer and have carbon in the return, I also have a DIY refugium using an AC with chaeto in it, that's all for my 75gal. For actual nutrient export I do water changes, at least 10gal, once or twice a week. Works for me.
I like the simplicity of my system but it is heavy on LR, about 120lb of it at the moment, and I tend to understock to avoid nutrient blooms. My next tank will be drilled with a sump and refugium since I envision an almost clean display with most if not all of the LR in the sump.
Rod
I like the simplicity of my system but it is heavy on LR, about 120lb of it at the moment, and I tend to understock to avoid nutrient blooms. My next tank will be drilled with a sump and refugium since I envision an almost clean display with most if not all of the LR in the sump.
Rod
you can make a great mechanical filter in your overflow box. You have to mount some brackets on each side of it a few inches down. then put egg-crate across them. filterpad on top of that. To get water to flow through you need to drill the bottom and use a pump for a closed loop type of setup. or you can make a hole in the bottom of overflow and mount a powerhead or small pump in the overflow box blowing into the tank. You can make a few layers of the eggcrate a few inches apart each. And put media on bottom one fine pad on middle and coarse pad on top. I had a custom tank like this it was always clear and worked great.
Paul B
NJRC Member
I use a reverse UG filter and I also use an in tank overflow which feeds the protein skimmer. There is no sump and no exporting of water. A diatom filter is used occasionally a few times a year.
There were no sumps or drilled tanks when I started this system.
It has worked fine for almost 4 decades.
There were no sumps or drilled tanks when I started this system.
It has worked fine for almost 4 decades.