![overflow box overflow box](https://http2.mlstatic.com/overflow-box-D_NQ_NP_279701-MLB20405331850_092015-F.jpg)
Standpipe BasicsĪ standpipe can only run silently under two conditions. The setup is a balancing act that is never really quite or stable at the same time. We all recognize this as the flushing sound that an unmodified standpipe (or out of adjustment Durso/Stockman) makes. If it can not pull air, it pulls more water and creates a siphon that quickly empties the overflow box. Water falling down through a pipe will pull air with it. The Durso and Stockman modifications are simply means of changing where the air enters the standpipe. It quickly become clear that all of these methods still produce noise and that the quieter they are, the less stable they are. I attempted several Durso and Stockman style modifications and many variants thereof.
![overflow box overflow box](https://smhttp-ssl-30510.nexcesscdn.net/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/5/6/56096_2.jpg)
To make a long story short, I was unable to silence the overflow. Based on observation and available data (some of it Anthony’s own) I agree with his conclusions. Anthony is a huge proponent of maximizing surface skimming. With some advice from Anthony Calfo (who is also a local club member!) I settled upon a coast-to-coast overflow design, A.K.A a Calfo Overflow. Furthermore, during the initial setup phases of my system I had a few small floods.Īfter doing a lot of research I learned that long overflow boxes are desirable for their superb surface skimming abilities. Noise of any kind is simply not an option that I can live with. The equipment side of the tank is a small room adjacent (and open) to my home office. My tank is an in-wall design that is setup in the rear wall of my home theater. In addition to the noise and instability, most types of standpipes introduce large volumes of bubbles into the sump that find their way to the return pump and back into the display. Many a reefer loses sleep at night due to noise or worries of a flood caused by a malfunctioning or clogged overflow. The most common problems are noise and reliability. A return pump is one of the easier things to purchase for your plumbing.There are many types of overflow setups for use in aquaria, most have inherent design flaws or shortcomings that we just accept and live with.If this is too intimidating, you can always get one made for you. You want to do this 3 times and as the holes will be part of the plumbing you want them to be clean cuts so take your time. For best results take your overflow box outside and run cold water over it as you begin to drill. The last thing you want is free-floating glass in your workspace. You might want to put a small container or towel beneath where you are cutting to catch any shards that might fall from your work. Wear gloves run the drill fast and go slowly. Measure and outline a hole with a marker on the glass for the pipe to slot through.
#Overflow box install#
![overflow box overflow box](http://reefoctopus.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/OB-400D1.png)
This is the pipe that will help to draw the water down towards the sump.