EMS 20" Overflow

[Travi]

After reading a ton of threads on overflows, I think I've settled on the EMS overflow. Really like their weir design and also the height of the external box helping to keep the waterline higher.

But, since I'm planning a peninsula tank and the overflow will go on the 24" wall, the only one they have that will fit is the 20" with a max of 1500 gph and I'm not sure if that will be enough flow for my 225. I am planning on a closed loop, so maybe I can up the flow on the CL to make up the difference? If so, what kind of gph would you recommend for the CL?

Thanks!

 

[JoshH]

After reading a ton of threads on overflows, I think I've settled on the EMS overflow. Really like their weir design and also the height of the external box helping to keep the waterline higher.

But, since I'm planning a peninsula tank and the overflow will go on the 24" wall, the only one they have that will fit is the 20" with a max of 1500 gph and I'm not sure if that will be enough flow for my 225. I am planning on a closed loop, so maybe I can up the flow on the CL to make up the difference? If so, what kind of gph would you recommend for the CL?

Thanks!

So your overflow typically only needs to handle the amount of turnover you want in your sump and the trend in recent years is that it is only a part of the total flow needed in your aquarium and the rest of it should be provided by some other means (Powerheads, wave generators, closed loops etc).

Hard to get an exact gauge on your flow needs as this varys greatly with livestock selections and Aqua scaping. I have a 5 foot 120ish gallon tank and have 4 closed loop outlets split into two pairs and each running off a Vectra M2. I'm only planning for a softy/LPS tank so my flow demands aren't the same as someone whose planning a SPS tank.

 

[Travi]

So your overflow typically only needs to handle the amount of turnover you want in your sump and the trend in recent years is that it is only a part of the total flow needed in your aquarium and the rest of it should be provided by some other means (Powerheads, wave generators, closed loops etc).

Hard to get an exact gauge on your flow needs as this varys greatly with livestock selections and Aqua scaping. I have a 5 foot 120ish gallon tank and have 4 closed loop outlets split into two pairs and each running off a Vectra M2. I'm only planning for a softy/LPS tank so my flow demands aren't the same as someone whose planning a SPS tank.

So, basically 1500 gph for an overflow is fine as long as the total flow with powerheads or CL makes up the difference?

 

[JoshH]

Exactly, as long as you are happy with the flow through your sump which will be roughly 6 times your total volume of your system. You can absolutely make up the difference with other methods :) as long as your flow meets your filtration goals for your sump that is all that really matters.

 

[Travi]

Exactly, as long as you are happy with the flow through your sump which will be roughly 6 times your total volume of your system. You can absolutely make up the difference with other methods :) as long as your flow meets your filtration goals for your sump that is all that really matters.

So, I guess the question is how much flow through the CL...not planning on SPS right now. I've got 4 returns for the CL, so maybe 2 1500-2000gph pumps each driving 2 CL returns? I can always oversize and dial down DC pumps, right?