nano overflow question

Hello, I have a 20gal high that I'm setting up a 10gal sump for and want to know what I should do for an overflow and pump? I'm thinking of making a diy pipe type but if I do should I make it out of the 1" or go much smaller? and it's about a 4ft rise so what's an appropriate pump? Or do you think I should buy an overflow box? What's a good affordable pump for my project?
Thanks!

 

i think most people use 1'1/4 for overflow could be wrong aslong as the diameter is bigger then yer return line u should be ok, really though if u can get yer tank drilled with a overflow box u will but much more satisfyed
as for return i use a via aqua hasnt failed me yet but im sure there are higher quality brands to use, i believe most of the boxes have a reading of the head hight/gph turn over on them, i know mine did aslong as u get yer 10x water turn over per hour then u be fine

 

I'm trying to understand the theory here: so as long as the return pipe's diameter is smaller I can use a smaller overflow pipe? I'm not concerned with turnover since I already have 3 powerheads in the display tank. I'm just wanting to have algae in the sump to clean it up and add water volume. Could I use a 3/4" pipe and whatever the smallest pump that will carry the water up 4'? like a 100-200gph one? What size aqua via do you use? Thanks for any and all info. I plan on building this in the next couple of weeks so there's no immediate hurry.

 

the reason for having a larger diameter for yer overflow is because the water free falls and is not under any presure so its a good idea to give it that room to flow,then it has the capacity to flow at the same speed as yer return pump is filling the tank

for example if u used half inch pipe for return and over flow yer guarenteed to flood yer floors because the water being returned to yer DT has the force of the pump behind it pushing it and your overflow does not have the presure which is why u want to have the larger pipe for overflow

as for your question i would look at what your pump will be and what adapters it will have then work out what hose u can use for your return hose that will fit the adapters with yer return pump, then use a larger diamter hose for your over flow

id say to be safe 1 inch is good for your setup easy and id recomend 1 inch because its way over size meaning theres no chance of it blocking up with crap and over flowing yer main tank if that makes sence

my via aqua pump on my tank would blow the front glass off yer tank jk jk it is to powerfull for your tank how ever, when u look at pumps id goto the lfs and ask them about head heights/GPH ratios but most of that stuff is on the box of each individual box

hope this helps

 

I have the same tank and am watching this thread. Keep us posted and how your setup goes.

 

Does the overflow need a certain amount of pressure from the return pump to keep the siphon going? I guess that is really what I am wondering because the one inch dia is fine, why go smaller but I don't need a very strong return for a nano tank. I'm thinking 200-300 max. And if those aqua via and rio type pumps hold up for the long run there's no reason for me to get an expensive danner mag pump.

 

I bought my glass holes overflow and it came with a diamond hole saw. I would definately drill the tank and you would not have to worry about a power outage causing a flood. You can always buy a return pump that may be too big and control it's output with a ball valve in the return line. That way you have room to adjust flow up or down if needed.

 

I think people are talking about different things here. I think the OP is looking at making a siphon overflow box, not drilling the tank and using a regular drain. If I'm wrong about that, sorry, ignore me!

I wouldn't try and build my own overflow box, they are too touchy, losing siphons etc, unless you really want to engineer one well and do lots of testing I wouldn't do it, maybe that's just me though.

I would buy one if I absolutely couldn't drill the tank for some reason, lifereef or eshopps are a couple popular brands I've heard.

 

Thank you, I think you are right. I bought an eshopps overflow and a danner mag pump. Just need to buy some tubing to carry the water inbetween and I'll be up and running. That's diy enough for me lol!