Overflow box on a 13gal-Refugium-3reef Forums

MDeth · 02-20-2007, 07:41 AM

I had Matt delete my older post...it was hard to follow, sorry about that...but awyway,

I just put an over flow box (i forget the manufacturer) on a little 13-15gal tank. It is the most confusing box ive ever seen, but I was wondering if there is a way i can use it as a hangon fuge instead of the bioball media.

It also has a protein skimmer that doesnt work atm...it looks WAY to simplistic (i have no experience with these). It was hooked up to a Fluval 305 and now is missing some of the plumbing across the top, see diagram below.

Where the X is, the Rio pulls water into the skimmer then fills the compartment (not using the skimmer at all). This flows to the middle chamber through the bioballs then the Rio "push" pumps water into the leftmost chamber and overflows into the tank.

The skimmer has a cap on it with a nozzle for plumbing...what should this go to to operate properly? If it is difficult i was thinking of reversing the pumps and using the middle as a fuge, will this work ?

MDeth · 03-05-2007, 03:10 PM

The make of the POS is "AMiracle"

The protein skimmer has no labels, so I'm assuming its junk that came with it...

Anybody have a link to setting it up? I cant get the protein skimmer to do anything...I think I'm missing a pump because it was hooked up to the canister originally.

coral reefer · 03-05-2007, 04:09 PM

I'm not totally sure if I understand you however, you CAN use the middle part(atleast a portion of it) to add live rock to add more beneficial space for bacteria to adhere to! I would have to stress that you don't use sand in it as the flow, IMO would only get caught in the return pump!
Amiracle Pro-line Wet / Dry Filters With Protein Skimmer, Amiracle Pro-line 1000 Wet / Dry Filter W Pump ( 10-75 Gal Tank )
Is this close to what you have?
IMO, venturi skimmers suck as they get junked up easily(air diffusor/stone) and their performance diminishes once this happens, so if you plan on using this type of skimmer, you will have to replace the airstone continuously!!
A skimmer is a wonderful and important addition to a tank so I guess my point is to try out the venturi skimmer and see how efficiently it works!
You may want to place a piece of foam to help trap large matter from getting lodged into your pump if you do in fact intend to use live rock instead of the bioballs!
I personally would use live rock at the expense of the bio-balls as I set up my sister's boyfriend up with the same transformation!
Hope this helps!

MDeth · 03-05-2007, 06:56 PM

I am probably going to do so soon, and will be giving her a lot of LR rubble that i have

As for the Amiracle that you linked - it's WAY too new

Heres a pic of it
Amiracle Sl-5 Hang-on Filter W / Skimmer, Amiracle Drip Plate Pad For Sl15 Filter ( 12-1 / 16 X 2-1 / 2 )

Would it be worth it as a sump/refugium?
I figure put some LR in the "up" part on the opposite end of the skimmer.

Then replace bioballs with cheato or similar w/ a sponge to keep it out of the pump (replaced as the cheato is rotated).

Or should I skip the cheato and just use LR ?

Thank you for reviving this thread - I was a little "out of it" when it was written.

coral reefer · 03-05-2007, 07:09 PM

IMO, it is up to you as to what you would like to put in it! Chaeto is a good thing to add to your water as it will cut down on the nuisance microalgae! You would have to have some lighting to grow it though, whereas live rock doesn't need light and actually, bacteria gorws better with subdued or no lighting at all!

MDeth · 03-05-2007, 07:18 PM

Any suggestions / pointers / info on hooking up that skimmer?

I have NO clue how to rig it up...even a link would be good.

coral reefer · 03-05-2007, 07:28 PM

The unit is supposeto come with 2 PUMPS!!!!!!!!! Do you have the return kit?
Without the two rio 600's, it won't work correctly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MDeth · 03-05-2007, 07:58 PM

Yeah, one to pump from the tank through a U-Tube into the skimmer on the side?

2nd - Pump water from the bottom of the 2nd chamber (bioballs) and push it into the third chamber to overflow into tank.

But the skimmer doesnt bubble...so do I need a 3rd or what were you talking about airstones?

coral reefer · 03-05-2007, 08:03 PM

It is a venturi skimmer so it will need to have an airstone/diffusor!! Or no bubbles, and also again you need two pumps.

MDeth · 03-05-2007, 08:05 PM

I'm quite slow...I have 2 Rio 600s, so where do I put this diffuser/airstone?