Abstract:
An aquarium overflow system for use with an aquarium tank to drain water from the tank to a sump system comprises an overflow box, a through-the-wall attachment mechanism for attaching the overflow box to the inside of a wall of the tank, an adapter for connecting the attachment mechanism to a conduit that hydraulically connects to the sump system and a baffle system inside the overflow box for reducing noise and ensuring consistent flow. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment mechanism comprises a bulkhead adapter having an insert portion extending through the wall of the tank, a bulkhead cap and gasket pressing against the outer surface of the wall and a bulkhead nut pressing the back wall of the overflow box, with a gasket therebetween, against the inside surface of the tank wall. An adjustable vent tube in the conduit adapter further reduces the noise associated with the overflow system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/043,378 filed Apr. 8, 2008. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The field of the present invention relates generally to apparatuses and systems for improving the operation of aquariums and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to such apparatuses and systems that are utilized with an aquarium tank to maintain the water level in the tank at a predetermined level and to facilitate circulation of water between the tank and an external sump and/or filter system. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to such apparatuses and systems that are configured to efficiently and quietly transfer water between the aquarium tank and external system. 
         [0005]    B. Background 
         [0006]    Many people have an aquarium for containing fish and plants in an aquatic environment and enjoy viewing the aquarium and having others view the aquarium. While a clean, well taken care of aquarium system can provide a healthy environment for the fish and plants and is enjoyable to view, an aquarium that is not well taken care of can be harmful for the fish and plants and, typically, is not pleasant to view. One of the main requirements for maintaining a healthy clean aquatic environment for an aquarium is the circulation of water into the aquarium tank and the maintaining of the water level in the tank. As well known to those involved with aquarium systems, it is important that the water quality parameters be controlled very precisely for the health of the aquatic life. A common method of maintaining the desired water quality parameters in the aquarium is to utilize conditioning devices and methods outside of the primary aquarium tank, that being the tank which holds the aquatic life. The external devices are commonly referred to as “sumps’, and this term will be use in the present disclosure to describe any external water quality maintenance system utilized with an aquarium tank. 
         [0007]    In order to maintain water quality, the water to be conditioned must be removed from the aquarium tank, processed in the sump and then returned to the aquarium tank. The removal, processing and return of the water must be done in a manner that regulates the quantity of water removed and returned so as to control the water level in the aquarium tank. Typically, the removal of the water from the aquarium tank is accomplished by continuously moving water in a controlled manner from the aquarium tank into the sump. The water is processed in the sump, typically by utilizing one or more filters and/or other water processing equipment and methods, and then the processed water is returned to the aquarium tank by a return pump. The most common methods of removing water from the aquarium tank are an overflow system that utilizes a continuous siphon overflow box or a drain system that has one or more holes drilled in either the bottom or side walls of the aquarium tank, with some type of control device to maintain a consistent water level in the aquarium tank and flow rate into the aquarium tank. The continuous siphon type of overflow box requires a siphon being maintained, which is frequently a source of unwanted noise. The devices can lose their prime, particularly in the event of a power failure, which can result in the aquarium flooding the floor when pump operation resumes. In addition, these devices are usually large and cumbersome. The overflow devices that rely on holes drilled in the aquarium tank typically have large, unsightly housings for the drains. In addition, these devices often lack apparatuses to prevent siphoning, which results in the water level fluctuating and can be a source of undesirable noise. 
         [0008]    The typical overflow system has a hanging overflow box that is mounted on the frame of the aquarium tank with the inlet into the overflow box positioned such that it is slightly below the desired water level of the aquarium tank. A siphon tube connects the overflow box to the sump, which includes a sump tank for holding the overflow water, where the water is processed. A pump operatively connected to the interior of the sump tank, typically in the sump tank, pumps the processed water back into the aquarium tank. The sump is commonly located below or behind the aquarium tank. As the processed water from the sump enters the aquarium tank, the water level in the aquarium tank rises and overflows into the overflow box, where the overflow water is transferred to the sump to complete its cycle. 
         [0009]    Various prior art overflow devices have been patented. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,770,194 to McGrath discloses a water overflow device that comprises an outer tube and an inner tube located axially within the outer tube to define an annular path therebetween. The outer tube and inner tube are held together by an overflow skimmer and a strainer and the entire device attaches to the bottom of the aquarium tank where water flows out the tank through the inner tube. U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,747 to Ritzow, et al. describes an overflow system having a pre-overflow wall that separates the aquarium tank into a main region and an intake region, with a filter intake located in the intake region. Openings in the pre-overflow wall are placed to attain a desired circulation pattern within the aquarium tank. U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,886 to Hickok, Jr., et al. describes a flow control device comprising an outflow conduit that allows water to flow downwardly out of the aquarium tank in a manner that prevents the generation of noise due to the outflow of the water. The inlet of the outflow conduit has a cap with a vent tube extending vertically downwardly through the cap and into the conduit to establish an air flow path. U.S. Pat. No. 3,785,493 to Harding describes an aquarium siphon that comprises a liquid receptacle which hangs on the outside of the aquarium tank to receive water from an inner/siphon tube that extends freely into a floating outer tube having a plurality of slots which extend through the surface of the water in the aquarium tank. 
         [0010]    Despite the foregoing and other prior art, there exists a need for an improved aquarium overflow system that removes water from an aquarium tank to maintain the level of water in the tank while processed water is continuously added to the tank. The preferred aquarium overflow system should effectively and efficiently draw water from inside the aquarium tank while substantially eliminating any noise from the overflow system. Preferably, an improved aquarium overflow system should be adaptable to a wide variety of aquarium tanks, aquarium systems and sumps. The preferred overflow system should be relatively compact so it does not interfere with the operation of the aquarium system and does not utilize excessive space inside the aquarium tank. Preferably, an improved overflow system should be aesthetically pleasing, inexpensive to manufacture and reliable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The aquarium overflow system of the present invention provides the benefits and solves the problems identified above. That is to say, the present invention discloses an aquarium overflow system that is configured to remove water from inside an aquarium tank to maintain the desired water level in the tank while processed water is being continuously added to the tank in a manner that does not generate any significant noise. The aquarium overflow system of the present invention quietly, effectively and efficiently removes water from the top of the water in the aquarium tank to maintain a desired water level inside the tank. The present aquarium overflow system drains water from the aquarium tank utilizing a gravity fed drain placed through the side wall of the tank, providing an overflow system that is quiet in operation and less likely to fail. The aquarium overflow system of the present invention includes a component that continuously breaks any siphon to reduce noise and maintain a constant flow rate and a weir that maintains the water in the aquarium tank at a predetermined, constant level. The present aquarium overflow system allows more water to be moved while utilizing a much more compact device. The aquarium overflow system of the present invention is aesthetically pleasing, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and reliable. 
         [0012]    In a primary embodiment of the present invention, the aquarium overflow system generally comprises an overflow box that is attached to the inside surface of one of the side walls of an aquarium tank, a hole in the overflow box that is aligned with a hole in the side wall of the aquarium tank, a mechanism for securely attaching the overflow box to the side wall of the aquarium tank by passing a conduit through the tank hole and the box hole, and tank conduit that interconnects the attaching mechanism to a sump system having a sump tank that receives water drained from the aquarium tank through the overflow box. In the preferred embodiment, the overflow box has a back wall, a front wall in spaced apart relation to the back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall in spaced apart relation to the first side wall and a bottom wall that, collectively, define a chamber that is substantially open at a top end of the overflow box and closed at a bottom end of the overflow box. At least the front wall of the overflow box defines a weir at the top end of the overflow box. In a preferred embodiment, the weir is defined by the top of the front wall and two side walls of the overflow box. The weir can comprise a plurality of slot members that form slots at the top of the overflow box. The overflow box is placed in the aquarium tank with the weir disposed below the water level of the aquarium tank so water flows into the chamber from the aquarium tank. The back wall of the overflow box, which has a box hole therethrough, is positioned substantially adjacent an inside surface of the side wall of the aquarium tank. The side wall of the aquarium tank has a tank hole therethrough which is in substantial alignment with the box hole. A portion of the attachment mechanism is received through the tank hole and the box hole to attach the overflow box to the inside surface of the side wall of the aquarium tank. The attachment mechanism is configured so as to hydraulically connect with the chamber and a tank conduit that connects with the sump system to drain water from the chamber to the sump tank. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment mechanism comprises a bulkhead tank adapter that has an insert portion which is received through the tank hole and the box hole to hydraulically connect the chamber and the tank conduit. A bulkhead nut can attach to a first end of the insert portion to secure the overflow box to the side wall of the aquarium tank. In the preferred embodiment, the first end of the insert portion and the bulkhead nut are both disposed in the chamber and the bulkhead tank adapter has a bulkhead cap, which is disposed at the outer surface of the aquarium side wall, at a second end of the insert portion. Preferably, a gasket or other sealing mechanism is positioned between the bulkhead cap and the outer surface of the side wall of the aquarium tank and another gasket or the like is positioned between the back wall of the overflow box and the inside surface of the aquarium tank. The preferred embodiment also has a conduit adapter interconnecting the bulkhead tank adapter and the tank conduit. The conduit adapter has a vent aperture in a top side of the conduit adapter and a vent tube that is slidably disposed in the vent aperture to reduce the noise associated with water draining from the aquarium tank. The preferred embodiment also has a baffle system that is disposed in the chamber of the overflow box to direct the flow of water from the aquarium tank into the bulkhead tank adapter through the chamber. The preferred baffle system comprises a pair of fixed baffle members attached to the back wall of the overflow box in the chamber and a removable baffle member that is disposed above the inlet into the bulkhead tank adapter in the chamber. The baffle system also reduces the noise of the aquarium overflow system and helps maintain a constant flow of water between the aquarium tank and the sump system. 
         [0013]    Accordingly, the primary aspect of the present invention is to provide an aquarium overflow system that provides the benefits described above and solves the problems associated with presently available aquarium overflow apparatuses and systems. 
         [0014]    It is an important aspect of the present invention to provide an aquarium overflow system that continuously removes water from inside an aquarium tank in order to maintain the desired water level in the tank while processed water from a sump is being added to the tank. 
         [0015]    It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide an aquarium overflow system that quietly, effectively and efficiently removes water from the aquarium tank so the water may be processed by a sump prior to being returned to the tank. 
         [0016]    Another important aspect of the present invention is to provide an aquarium overflow system that utilizes a gravity fed drain placed through the side wall of the aquarium tank to continuously drain water from the tank in a manner which is quiet and reliable so as to maintain the water level in the tank while processed water is being added thereto. 
         [0017]    Yet another important aspect of the present invention is to provide an aquarium overflow system that is relatively compact, inexpensive to manufacture and aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0018]    The above and other aspects and advantages of the present invention are explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination of the above presently described and understood by the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an aquarium system utilizing the aquarium overflow system of the present invention to drain water from the aquarium tank to the sump; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the aquarium overflow system of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the aquarium overflow system of  FIG. 2  taken through line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is an exploded side view of the aquarium overflow system of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The accompanying figures are merely illustrative of one or more of the preferred embodiments and, as such, represent one or more ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein. For instance, although the figures and description provided herein show certain components and materials for those components, those who are skilled in the art will readily understand that this is merely for purposes of simplifying the present disclosure and that the present invention is not so limited. 
         [0025]    An aquarium overflow system that is configured pursuant to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally as  10  in the figures. As shown in  FIG. 1 , overflow system  10  is configured for use with an aquarium system  12  comprising an aquarium tank  14  having water  16  therein with a water level, shown as  18 , generally at or near the top  20  of aquarium tank  14 . The aquarium system  12  also comprises a sump system  22  configured to condition the water from aquarium tank  14 . The typical sump system  22  has a sump tank  24  disposed below the bottom  26  of aquarium tank  14  and a return pump  28  disposed in the sump tank  24  below the sump water level  30 . As set forth in more detail below, a quantity of water  16  is continuously drained from the aquarium tank  14  via the aquarium overflow system  10  and tank conduit  32  to sump system  22 , processed in the sump tank  24  and then returned to aquarium tank  14  via the return pump  28 , a sump conduit  34  interconnecting the return pump  28  and a discharge outlet  36  that discharges the processed water into the aquarium tank  14 . The path of the water flow between the aquarium tank  14  and the sump system  22  is shown by the arrows on  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    In the preferred embodiments shown in the figures, aquarium overflow system  10  comprises an overflow box  38  that is sized and configured to be received inside of aquarium tank  14  and attached to one of the side walls, shown as  40  in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , of aquarium tank  14 . Overflow box  38  has a back wall  42 , a front wall  44  disposed in spaced apart relation to the back wall  42 , a first side wall  46 , a second side wall  48  in spaced apart relation to the first side wall  46  and a bottom wall  50  that defines a chamber  52  that is open at the top end  54  of overflow box  38  and closed at the bottom end  56  of overflow box  38 , as best shown in  FIGS. 2 through 4 . The front wall  44 , first side wall  46  and second side wall  48  form a weir  58  at the top end  54  of overflow box  38  over which water  16  in aquarium tank  14  at or near the water level  18  will flow into the chamber  52  and, ultimately, into tank conduit  32  to flow to sump tank  24 . As set forth in more detail below, overflow box  38  is attached to the side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14  near the top  20  of aquarium tank  14  such that the weir  58  will define the water level  18  in aquarium tank  14 . Water  16  in aquarium tank  14  above weir  58  will flow across the top end  54  of overflow box  38  into chamber  52  to flow through tank conduit  32  and discharge to sump tank  24 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, overflow box  38  has a slotted weir  58  formed by a plurality of spaced apart slot members  60  defining slots  62  therebetween. An advantage of the slotted weir  58  shown in the figures is that it may help prevent any of the inhabitants of aquarium tank  14  from flowing into chamber  52  of overflow box  38 . An advantage of a non-slotted, straight edge weir  58  is that such a configuration may better skim the surface of water  16 . 
         [0027]    As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the overflow box  38  is attached to the side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14  with an attachment means  64  that engages a tank hole  66  in the side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14  and a box hole  68  in the back wall  42  of overflow box  38 . As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, the tank hole  66  and box hole  68  are cooperatively configured such that the size, shape and position of tank hole  66  corresponds to the size, shape and position of box hole  68  to place the overflow box  38  against side wall  40  at the desired height of water level  18 , which will be controlled by weir  58 , in aquarium tank  14 . Typically, most aquarium tanks  14  do not have a tank hole  66  in one of their side walls  40 . As such, tank hole  66  will usually have to be drilled by the user of aquarium overflow system  10  in order to install overflow box  38  on the side wall  40 . A diamond coated hole saw can be utilized to cut tank hole  66  in the side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14 . Overflow box  38  can be provided with box hole  68  already in back wall  42 , for instance included during the manufacturing process by molding or cutting, or the user can cut box hole  68  with a hole saw suitable for the material of back wall  42  (typically plastic or the like). Attachment means  64  is sized and configured to be received through tank hole  66  and box hole  68  to engage the back wall  42  of overflow box  38  to hold overflow box  38  in position against side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14 . Typically, but not exclusively, the side wall  40  will be at the back of aquarium tank  14  to reduce the visual impact of the aquarium overflow system  10  on the aquarium system  12 . 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, attachment means  64  comprises a bulkhead tank adapter  70  having a tubular insert portion  72  sized and configured such that the first end  74  thereof will extend through the tank hole  66  and box hole  68  into chamber  52 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Bulkhead tank adapter  70  also has a bulkhead cap  76  at the second end  78  of the tubular insert portion  72  that has an outward extending ring-like configuration to engage the outer surface  80  of the side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14 , as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . In a preferred embodiment, the bulkhead tank adapter  70  is a single integral component that is threaded along at least the inward section, the area received inside of chamber  52 , of insert portion  72 . The attachment means  64  of the preferred embodiment also comprises a bulkhead nut  82  that is configured to engage the insert portion  72  of the bulkhead tank adapter  70  to press the back wall  42  of overflow box  38  against the inside surface  84  of the side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In the preferred embodiment, bulkhead nut  82  is configured to threadably engage the insert portion  72  of the bulkhead tank adapter  70 . Various other connection mechanisms can also be utilized to connect the bulkhead nut  82  to the bulkhead tank adapter  70 . 
         [0029]    The preferred embodiment of the aquarium overflow system  10  of the present invention also comprises a first sealing means  86 , such as a ring-shaped gasket, disposed between the bulkhead cap  76  and the outer surface  80  of the side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14  to prevent water  16  from leaking outside of aquarium tank  14 . The aquarium overflow system  10  also comprises a second sealing means  88 , which may also be a ring-shaped gasket, disposed between the back wall  42  of overflow box  30  and the inside surface  84  of the side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14 , as best shown in  FIG. 4 . The second sealing  88  means is provided to prevent the leakage of water into the overflow box  38  in the event of a power failure. 
         [0030]    The aquarium overflow system  10  of the present invention also has a conduit adapter  90  configured to interconnect the bulkhead tank adapter  70  with the tank conduit  32 . In the preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , conduit adapter  90  is a ninety degree elbow having a threaded end  92  configured to threadably engage the bulkhead cap  76  of bulkhead tank adapter  70 . The opposite end  94  joins conduit adapter  90  to the tank conduit  32  to hydraulically interconnect the chamber  52  inside overflow box  38  and the sump tank  24  so water  16  can flow from the aquarium tank  14  to the sump tank  24 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conduit adapter  90  has a vent aperture  96  at the top side  98  thereof, as best shown in  FIG. 4 , to receive a vent tube  100  therein. Preferably, vent aperture  96  is sized and configured to slideably receive, typically with a tight fit, vent tube  100 . The venting of conduit adapter (e.g., elbow)  90  with vent tube  100  will prevent the formation of a siphon, which will maintain a more constant flow rate and lower sound. Because the vent tube  100  is adjustably received (slidably) inside vent aperture  96 , the user can vary the location of the lower end of vent tube  100  inside conduit adapter  90  or tank conduit  32  to obtain the minimum sound output for his or her aquarium overflow system  10 . 
         [0031]    The aquarium overflow system  10  also comprises a baffle system  102  that is configured to cause the water  16  to be drawn, by gravity flow, into the first end  74  of the insert portion  72  of the bulkhead tank adapter  70 , and therefore to the tank conduit  32  and sump system  22 , below the water level  18  in aquarium tank  14 . Because the water  16  is drawn into the drain below the surface of the water inside overflow box  38 , the noise from aquarium overflow system  10  will be significantly reduced. As such, baffle system  102  controls the flow of water  16  once it flows inside of chamber  52 . In one configuration, the baffle system  102  is in a squared off upside down U-shape that directs the water  16  flowing over the weir  58  into the bulkhead tank adapter  70 . The baffle system  102  can comprises a pair of generally vertically disposed, spaced apart first baffle member  104  and second baffle member  106  that are fixedly attached to the back wall  42  of overflow box  38  and a generally horizontally disposed third baffle member  108  that rests on the upper end of the first  104  and second  106  baffle members to direct water  16  around the sides of the baffle system  102  to the first end  74  of inlet portion  72  of the bulkhead tank adapter  70 . As set forth below, the use of a removable third baffle member  108  facilitates the installation and removal of aquarium overflow system  10  from aquarium tank  14 . As stated above, the purpose of baffle system  102  is to ensure that the first end  74  of inlet portion  72  of the bulkhead tank adapter  70 , therefore the inlet to the drain which drains water  16  to the sump tank  24 , remains below the surface of the water inside chamber  52  of the overflow box  38  to substantially reduce the noise associated with continuously draining water  16  out of aquarium tank  14 . 
         [0032]    The aquarium overflow system  10  of the present invention can be made out of a variety of different materials and in a variety of different sizes. For instance, the overflow box  38  and baffle system  102  can be made out of a cast cell acrylic and the bulkhead tank adapter  70  and conduit adapter  90  can be commercially obtainable components made out of PVC or other materials. Various other plastics or and non-plastic materials can be used for any or all of the components of aquarium overflow system  10 . In addition, a number of the components of aquarium overflow system  10  can be made integral or fixedly attached to each other. For instance, the overflow box  38  could be molded to also form weir  58 , first  104  and second  106  baffle members and portions of the bulkhead tank adapter  70  as a single unit. For instance, the bulkhead tank adapter  70  could be reversed with the insert portion  72  passing from the inside of overflow box  38  to the outer surface  80  of the side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14  so a bulkhead nut  82  could be attached on the outside of aquarium tank  14  instead of inside chamber  52 . Various other alternative configurations could be utilized for aquarium overflow system  10 . The size of the components of aquarium overflow system  10  can be adjusted to accommodate different desired flow rates out of aquarium tank  14 . For example, an aquarium overflow system  10  having an overflow box 3.25″ high by 5″ wide and 2″ deep with a 1″ diameter bulkhead tank adapter  70  and conduit adapter  90  and a 0.25″ vent tube  100  can achieve a flow rate of 300 gallons per hour. An aquarium overflow system  10  having an overflow box 6″ high by 6.25″ wide and 2″ deep with a 1.5″ diameter bulkhead tank adapter  70  and conduit adapter  90  and a 0.375″ vent tube  100  can achieve a flow rate of 700 gallons per hour. An aquarium overflow system  10  having an overflow box 6″ high by 12.25″ wide and 2″ deep with dual 1.5″ diameter bulkhead tank adapter  70  and conduit adapter  90  and a 0.375″ vent tube  100  can achieve a flow rate of 1500 gallons per hour. An aquarium overflow system  10  having an overflow box 7″ high by 18.25″ wide and 3.75″ deep with dual 2″ diameter bulkhead tank adapter  70  and conduit adapter  90  and a 0.5″ vent tube  100  can achieve a flow rate of 3600 gallons per hour. The above sizes are set forth above for exemplary purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention in any manner. As stated above, a wide variety of sizes, including custom sizes, can be incorporated into aquarium overflow system  10  to achieve different water flow rates. 
         [0033]    To install the aquarium overflow system  10  the user places the overflow box  38  against the inside surface  84  of the side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14  generally near the top  20  of aquarium tank  14  at a location where the user wants the water level  18  to be, as defined by the weir  58 . The user marks this location and, preferably, utilizes a template to identify the location of the tank hole  66 . Using a hole saw configured to cut glass or any other material which the side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14  is made, the user cuts tank hole  66 . The user then inserts the insert portion  72  of the bulkhead tank adapter  70  through the tank hole  66  and into the interior of the aquarium tank  14 , typically with the conduit adapter  90  attached and first sealing means  86  disposed around the insert portion  72  between the bulkhead cap  76  and the outer surface  80  of the side wall  40  of the aquarium tank  14 . The second sealing means  88  is then placed around the insert portion  72  and the box hole  68  on the back wall  42  of overflow box  38  is aligned with the insert portion  72  and placed thereon, disposing the second sealing means  68  between the back wall  42  and the inside surface  84  of the side wall  40  of aquarium tank  14 . With the third baffle member  108  removed, the user then attaches the bulkhead nut  82  to securely attach the overflow box  38  to the aquarium tank  14 . The third baffle member  108  is then placed on top of the first  104  and second  106  baffle members. If not already attached, the user then attaches the tank conduit  32  to the conduit adapter  90  to hydraulically connect the inside of aquarium tank  14  to the sump tank  24  of sump system  22 . With the water  16  in aquarium tank  14  and the sump system  22  pumping processed water into aquarium tank  14 , the aquarium overflow system  10  of the present invention will automatically and continuously drain water  16  from aquarium tank  14 , by the water  16  flowing over weir  58  onto baffle system  102  and into the hydraulically connected bulkhead tank adapter  70 , conduit adapter  90  and tank conduit  32 , to the sump tank  24  for conditioning and then redirecting into aquarium tank  14 . Because the inlet, which is at or near the first end  74  of insert portion  72  of the bulkhead tank adapter  70 , into the drain system will be below the surface of the water inside the overflow box  38 , the transfer of water  16  to the sump system  22  will be very quiet. 
         [0034]    While there are shown and described herein a specific form of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape and use. For instance, there are numerous components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present invention.