Overflow Tank

[Scorp1on]

Still realtively new here. What is an overflow tank? keep on frgetting to ask about this but I hear them mentioned all the time.
Thx

 

[Lateral Line]

It is basically any tank where water is continuously pumped into it, and flows out again into a sump or some other kind of external filter, (or whatever really). Some have holes drilled in the side or back with pipes connected, others have holes in the bottom with a stand pipe connected to them reaching up to the desired level, others have a weir arrangement. Because the overflow is fixed relative to the tank, the water level in the tank is always the same, (assuming there is anough water in the system as a whole.

There are a few beginners kits around that have a small weir type overflow, but unless you already have one, avoid them. Generally overflow tanks aren't needed until you start getting quite advanced in the hobby, and not even then. I've 40+ years experience and never needed one.

 

[Scorp1on]

So it's a trasition area between the tank and filter? This is used in place of a filter that hangs on the tank?

 

[smithrc]

they are normally used in bigger tank setups or multiple tanks

the water in the tank rises as a pump adds water to it. at a set level it overflows into a pipe that takes the water elsewhere (in a simple case it would be another tank below that has a filter system in it. the water will then pass through the filter and be pumped back into the main tank.

this can be expanded so that one tank will overflow into another and then into the filter tank etc.

does that make sence?

here is what i mean...

 

[Scorp1on]

yes it does makes sense. just had heard of so many people with them I was wondering what the need was for them.

 

[smithrc]

I'm just about to set up 3x 4 gals overflowing into each other with one filter and heater in a tank - used for different aged fry and general breeding

not sure how to do it all yet - but i may tie it all to the 30gal and an external filter to do the filtering...