Best HOB Overflow

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Okay... I know I said I will not post anymore non-emergencys but I wanna switch from canister to sump with a somatic 60 for my 40 clown harem (I have done research and if you want to Diss this idea go to the clown harem thread I made)
And I already have a filled tank so drilling is not an option and I am not empting the tank but do you guys know of good HOB overflows for my tank, I want no floods and I plan to use a Vectra L2 and I cannot do lifereef because I am Aussie.
 

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Okay... I know I said I will not post anymore non-emergencys but I wanna switch from canister to sump with a somatic 60 for my 40 clown harem (I have done research and if you want to Diss this idea go to the clown harem thread I made)
And I already have a filled tank so drilling is not an option and I am not empting the tank but do you guys know of good HOB overflows for my tank, I want no floods and I plan to use a Vectra L2 and I cannot do lifereef because I am Aussie.
The part where you say “want no floods” is the deal breaker because tHats the whole Reason for avoiding HOB overflows .... Just my personal experience with wet floors
 

chipmunkofdoom2

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The fear of HOB overflows in this hobby is a little dramatic. I've used HOB overflows for over a decade and never had a single flood. They are more difficult to set up than an internal overflow, but if you do it right they'll run for years without a single input from you.

Whatever overflow you choose, you have to keep a relatively good amount of water moving through it. If you only move a small amount of water through it, bubbles will build up in the top of the U-tube and will eventually break the siphon. With fast enough water movement, the bubbles can't build up. The box can't be too small for your tank, but it also can't be too big.

You need to keep the tube clear of algae. I tape mine with electrical tape to block light.

If you're really paranoid about your tank overflowing, put a float switch on your tank to stop your return if the siphon breaks and put a float switch in the box to detect if the main drain gets clogged.
 
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The fear of HOB overflows in this hobby is a little dramatic. I've used HOB overflows for over a decade and never had a single flood. They are more difficult to set up than an internal overflow, but if you do it right they'll run for years without a single input from you.

Whatever overflow you choose, you have to keep a relatively good amount of water moving through it. If you only move a small amount of water through it, bubbles will build up in the top of the U-tube and will eventually break the siphon. With fast enough water movement, the bubbles can't build up. The box can't be too small for your tank, but it also can't be too big.

You need to keep the tube clear of algae. I tape mine with electrical tape to block light.

If you're really paranoid about your tank overflowing, put a float switch on your tank to stop your return if the siphon breaks and put a float switch in the box to detect if the main drain gets clogged.
Thanks, would a Eshopps pf Nano be good for my 40
 

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Thanks, would a Eshopps pf Nano be good for my 40

Suggest you get one with two drains and run one as a full siphon and one as a trickle. I used a PF Nano and it was very noisy at times due to the single drain. I think you can remove one of the U-tubes if it needs more flow to keep it clear of air.

I second the comments about algae in the tube, this was an ongoing problem with mine. Find a way to shade or wrap the tube with something dark (but not so dark you can't see if it's got bubbles in it).

Other than that it did work and I did not have any floods caused by it.
 
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Suggest you get one with two drains and run one as a full siphon and one as a trickle. I used a PF Nano and it was very noisy at times due to the single drain.

I second the comments about algae in the tube, this was an ongoing problem with mine. Find a way to shade or wrap the tube with something dark (but not so dark you can't see if it's got bubbles in it).

Other than that it did work and I did not have any floods caused by it.
So maybe a pf 1200?
 

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If that's the smallest one available with two drains.

If you can drill it though, it's a better solution.
 

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I have the PF nano and I don't think it would be enough for a 40g. I have what I think is the PF-800 on my 40g and that one seems to do fine. I would get one with dual drains as AJM said though, that way you can run a modified Herbie. I looked at the PF-1000 and that will eventually be what I move to. It has the same U-tube and drain size as the PF-800, except it has two drains.
 
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I have the PF nano and I don't think it would be enough for a 40g. I have what I think is the PF-800 on my 40g and that one seems to do fine. I would get one with dual drains as AJM said though, that way you can run a modified Herbie. I looked at the PF-1000 and that will eventually be what I move to. It has the same U-tube and drain size as the PF-800, except it has two drains.
Will I need to tune a flow rate for it?
 

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Synergy reef and eshopps
 

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Will I need to tune a flow rate for it?

You will if you get the dual drain model. It's not that difficult though. Search for Herbie overflows to get an idea of how they work.
 

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Drilling the tank or the box

The tank. I know you said it's already filled, but I was in the same position as you a few years back and I think in hindsight I should have just drained mine and drilled it.

But if you do go with an overflow, I think the PF1000 would probably work quite well ☺
 

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