Is this overflow box and return pump a good combo??

Looks like it's an aqua lifter at the top of the siphon and a check valve at the bottom, is this so? I guess it would have to be. This is a design new to me a great improvement. But, add up the two overflows, aqualifter and cs100, and your talking more money than the drilled reef overflow. Some may prefer the cs100 design for fish only, I can agree with that, gives them more room to swim.

 

Walls,

Thanks. I started with a real nice OF box that I got with my CL buy (tank, stand, lots of old equipment, etc.).
It wasn't enough for my Marineland 5500 return pump, even with a wide open 1" drain.

I built my first version of my HOB overflow- that never looses prime in a powerout (easy to do with the down loops, etc.)
The two combined was enough- but I wanted better.

I built the 'intank overflow' , which feeds my HOB overflow (out of 1&1/2"I.D) and into the sump.

The aqualifter you see connected to the top loop of my HOB OF, is analogous with an aircrafts redundant control systems.
It is NOT needed. I have unplugged it for says at a time. Power outs, etc.- my system never looses it's siphon- important wnen you power up again- no wet floors!
I leave it there sort of as a 'Murphy's law' kind of thing. It's not necessary.

My DIY 'intank OF' gives my more linear surface skimming, (21") that any OF box I've seen.

And btw, it's the same principles as a box style OF box- it just looks different, works BETTER, and cost WAY LESS $$!

Cheers

 

Much better than OF box. Maybe the best system for certain circumstances.
Next best thing to a Mega Flow reef ready. Sometimes the reef ready a little out of reach financially and logistically.

 

My DIY set up works well for me. It came about b/c I already had water, some fish and softs before I decided to go with a sump. Noobie I was.

I agree that it is much better to start with a RR, or drilled tank as the above post states.

 

IMO you couldn't have done better.

 

Use food grade plastic container for sump. Grey BRUTE tubs are food grade and will leach much less toxins into the biomas.