Restricting overflow

Hi all,

I just got a new overflow and its bigger than i need for my tank. Can I restrict the flow out of the overflow box before the sump with a ball valve? Will that be a problem?

I plan on upgrading the size of my tank soon this is the reason for this. When I get the larger tank I could just remove the ball valve.

Thanks
Matt

 

Hi Matt, it’s not a problem – you can use a ball valve. I but I would suggest you also use a prefilter as snail shells caught up in a half chocked ball valve could spell disaster. Good luck with the upgrade in the (near?) future.

 

No need to restrict it if its bigger then the water will just only go out as fast as you put it into the tank it seeks its own level Now if it where smaller then you could have the pump to over run it . But thats not your case if the pump was O.K for the smaller overflow then the larger is good to go and never restrict a overflow line

 

Hi Roger, I thought the same - but then assumed that this is a noise issue. If the drain is larger its probably flushing and rushing water noise that's annoying as all hell....at least this was my assumption.

 

I guess we will know sooner or later on any overflow I ever built I had adjustment screws on the saddle for the tank rim and then they just adjust the entire thing up or down to incres or decres slow , A 1/2 cracked valve would be 7/8th closed if a snail fish ot algae ball got hung up in it .

Then the noise if that is the case would be little to the screaming after finding a dry tank and wetr floor I would never ever never restrict a drain line on my tank's sewer system or house sewer either .

 

LOL -- so true !!

 

Yup its a CPR so it has a sponge. I should have said its a freshwater right now. I just building it slowly and frugally.

I just have live rock and skimmer to buy but I need to wait a bit and I don't want to stress the fish I currently have with a huge flow.

I think I will put the ball valve high in the line so that i can clean it out with a brush over the next couple months. I think I will be okay then.

 

O.K its your floor , But I think you are missing my point if you want less flow through the overflow then cut back on the supply line from the return pump thats where the valve belongs .
Not sure what cleaning would ever be involved with a HOB overflow.

 

I am missing the point...it will only overflow as fast as I put water back in it. Sometimes I can be stupid...at least I get it now.

 

Yes it will only drain out what is put in be it a gallon a hr or 500GPH and when the pump is off it will not drain anything at all. Hence the term water seeks its own level .