overflow

[hottievols]

This might be a dumb question but what is an overflow on an aquarium and what its purpose. Just curious.

Thanks

 

[HN1]

An overflow takes water from the display tank into the sump. The water is returned using a return pump. There's a good, basic picture on this link of how they work.

Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

The overflow is on the right.

 

[partypalooza5]

They can either be hang on back or internal, the internal ones have holes drilled through the glass (best). The hang on back overflows use a siphon tube (work good but you have to monitor them)

 

[melosu58]

Moved to General Hardware and equipment discussion.

 

[OrionX]

In short an overflow when done correctly will make sure all your tankwater wont end up on the floor in a power outage