I have a sump installed on my 55g tank. The overflow that came with the sump has a foam filter installed on it which i clean every week. But i have noticed that if i remove th e filter i get better flow to the sump which also has a poly filter in it. My question is would it be ok to take out the filter in the overflow because the sump filter will catch all the small particles that go into the overflow?

Yes, if you're not scared of fish getting sucked down. :)

Most overflow boxes have a screen that prevents fish and other critters from getting sucked in, and the sponge is a prefilter. Does your overflow box have a small screen at the opening or anywhere else to prevent inhabitants from getting sucked in?

I have not had a problem with critters getting into the overflow. I have not even seen a snail get on the inside box of the overflow.


While we are on the subject of sumps. I have read in other forums that bio wheels and bio balls are not the best filtration sys for reef tanks. I have a Penquin dual bio wheel HOB filter. I have been waiting for the live rock to get going better and then i was going to remove the HOB. Is this a good idea? I have live rock in the tank and in the sump.

Sorry for all the ? I have learned alot from the forums and i have also learned the hard and sometimes expensive way. TIA

How many pounds of live rock do you have in the main tank and in the sump? Since the live rock is doing the biological filtration then there would be no need for biowheels. Hey don't be sorry for asking questions, it is what forums are meant for members helping other members with questions they might have. :)

At present i have around 26 lbs of live rock. Which i think is about half of what i need. I continue to add rock as i can afford it. I am still running the HOB filter untill i can get more rock.
I think i will take out the prefilter in the overflow just to see what happens. I think my flow will be increased.

My overflow does not have a screen over the siphon except for the sponge I 'installed'. I've had baby bristlenoses and adult guppies sucked down.

EDIT: However, if they get into my sump, they're going to be pummeled against mechanical filtration and die.
If they get into your sump, I guess it's not going to be fatal... ? :huh:

Danj how do you have the live rock distributed between the main tank and the sump? because 20lbs of live rock in the main tank and 6lbs in the sump is a great ratio imo.

No if they get into my overflow they just go for a ride to the sump. :D



Perfectblue,
My live rock is at about that ratio. I still need to add more to the sump.