How effective is an hang on overflow box?

[nealio]

I'm looking into the design of overflows, and I find it hard to believe that it will give me as much filtration as something sucking the water closer to the bottom of the tank.

I thought most of the waste is on the bottom of the tank anyways?

Does anyone run an overflow, and did you see any difference when switched from a regular filter to an overflow?

Thanks again for your help, its pricesless!

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

do you mean overflow box as in part of a sump filter, or is it a differnt name for a Hang On Back filter?

 

[Igor The Cat]

Yahoo, i think he means an over flow to a sump or trickle filter like this CPR CS50 Overflow Box - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store

but ive heard they are very effictive but not as much as a built in box in a drilled tank.

:EDIT: i just re-read the post and im confused....did you mean soemthing like this? Aquaclear 20 Power Filter at Big Al's Online

cheers

-Java

 

[nealio]

Yahoo, i think he means an over flow to a sump or trickle filter like this CPR CS50 Overflow Box - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store

That is the exact one I'm looking at ordering. I'm setting up a sump for my new tank, and I'm really hesitant in taking away from space for the fish, so I don’t want to set the overflow in the tank. I don't mind drilling as long as the tank was at least 50g.

How does it circulate the water as much as a hang on filter? Currently I have a penguin bio wheel I planned on putting in the sump along with another 30G filter that came with the tank. I'm just worried that I will get less filtration because my tank is tall and it’s only going to be sucking what’s coming off the top.

 

[Igor The Cat]

they work well though a sump isnt the most useful thing for FW, but it would work fine, and if mulm collects on the bottom you vacum it out when doing w/cs

cheers

-Java

 

[fibrechunk]

Mine works pretty good. I use a powerhead under the filter towards the bottom of the tank. That causes current accross tank on the bottom...Then I have my return from my sump on the opposite side of the overflow. It keeps a constant flow in the tank.