Isabella

What are "overflows" for in a tank? I see usually large aquariums with them, some have them built in, and others have the overflows attached to them. What are they for? Is it good to have them? Why?

Janmitch22

Isabella

Thanks Jan You always come in "handy" with various technical questions, lol, like python or now the overflow hehe.

Just to be certain again, the overflow is placed INSIDE or OUTSIDE the tank? And how does the water drain into the the overflow if the aquarium is the same height on all of its sides (it's trim is level around all sides of the tank). It seems you'd need to have some "cavity" or a little "hole" cut out in top of one of the walls (that are level) in order for water to drain into the overflow. Because when the water starts to over-flow, it spills out from all sides if walls are even.

Janmitch22

atmmachine816

From what I understand they are only really necessary for filters other than internal or HOB and a simple one I believe is with a chamber inside and outside of the tank so it's hanging on the back and as long as the water level is high enough it flows into the box and a tube sucks the water from the inside of the compartment to the outside and there is a hole in the outside one and it drains into the sump or whatever and if your electricity fails as long as you don't accidently fill your water level up too high it can't overflow onto your tank. Are you considering building a sump, if you are PM me i can help, I had wanted to once but was never allowed. Just a thought, maybe you should make a 75 gallon tank planning thread so all your questions are on one post.

Austin

Butterfly

Check this out. I thought it was really interesting.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=932

Isabella

Thank you all for trying to explain to me what overflows and sumps are; I really appreciate

After reading the article ... it seems like it's a good thing to have, but it seem so complicated to set up! Not my kind of thing. I am not really good with "tinkering" with "this and that" and since this setup seems like it's complicated, I won't have the time for that. Unless I could buy everything ready-made.

Is this thing really necessary in a 75G tank? Do you have that in your 75G, Carol? Or can I just set up my tank in a simple way, either with a regular HOB filter or a canister filter? I don't have the time for too much hassle, and I want a tank set up in a way that is easy to clean and to take care of. The only reason I am buying it is for my fish to have more space and to accommodate my baby angels. It's nothing like a high-tech show tank.

ATM, yes, I probably will make a separate thread about a 75G with various questions on planning. Thanks for the suggestion and for offering help with the overflow

Butterfly

My 75G is set up very simply. Gravel, rocks plants 2x 40W flourescent bulbs, 1 penguin 350 filter, 1 millenium don't know the size(huge) filter and of course water and fish.
Carol

atmmachine816

My lfs has a 125 gallon tank with gravel, fake plants, rocks, two strip lights (big ones) and two HOB filters.