Would my floor get wet?

[Water_Fouler]

So I want to get a new 30 long thats drilled with a corner overflow. I'm thinking of using a 20 long for a refugium with an overflow box leading to a 20 long sump with a skimmer with a 450gph pump for return. Is this too complex (ie living room gets flooded) or would it work. Thanks guys.

 

[metalac]

I don't see why it would flood if you take in account some safety factors when you set it up. Most of the flooding comes when a connection gives (highly unlikely if you set up everything right, unlike me ) and if the power goes out so you get some overflow in the sump. Best way to test is just to turn off return pump and see what happens and adjust accordingly. If I turn of my return pump to simulate power outage the sump fills up about 2-3 inches short of the top, which is plenty.

 

[S!mon]

I'm worried about 2 overflows and 2 sumps. I'm going to do it and see what happens. Thanks Metalac.

 

[mr_X]

those 2- 20 gallon tanks...are they sitting at the same level?
are you planning to use 2 overflow boxes like simon said(no pun intended), or are you going to drill both tanks and plumb them together with bulkheads and pvc?

 

[S!mon]

2 overflow boxes, one comming down from the display to a 20 gal and another from the first 20 gal to the second. And yes I plan on placing the 2nd 20 gal about 18" lower than the first. Thanks X.

 

[mr_X]

i guess if the lowest 20 gallon had enough room for both the display and the 1st sump to drain into, it would be ok.
i wonder if the display overflow would suck air first, or would they do it simultaneously? even if they were identical overflows, and you had them submerged at the same levels in each tank, i'd have to say, i'm not sure.

hmm...interesting. let me know what happens.

 

[mr_X]

also..what about starting them? will you use cpr overflows with aqualifter pumps, or J tube style? in the event of a power outage, i think the aqualifters might insure the restart, as long as both pumps are functioning properly that is.

i think i'd rather use a single overflow and plumb the 2 tanks together. :wink:

 

[metalac]

i think i'd rather use a single overflow and plumb the 2 tanks together. :wink:

This seems to be a much safer option.

 

[S!mon]

How could the two tanks be plumbed together? I think that 20 gallon tanks are made of tempered glass and cannot be drilled. Thats the story I'm getting from the LFS anyway.

 

[mr_X]

i could be wrong, but it's my understanding that only the bottoms are tempered.