Modifying AGA overflow

Vauche · 04/18/2009, 02:09 PM

I have a 90G AGA with AGA overflow (rated 600gph). These have vertical slats in them across the top. I read that ideally you want horizontal as this would give more surface area skimming. So my question, what would happen if I just cut about 1-1.5cm out of these slats at water level?

Reasons I am considering this. One, I have noticed larger peices of detritus can not get through the slats as they are designed (even larger peices of slime algea get caught on them only to be blown off when flow switches). Two, even if 1-2 cm it would be small enough that nothing would be able to make it through.

Anyways, just wondering, I do not want to ruin the overflow!

Thanks

drparker · 04/18/2009, 04:44 PM

Not sure I understand. 2.54cm is an inch so at 2cm you looking at about 4/5 of an inch. At that size my smaller crabs, snails and fish could get through.

Are you planning to make each slit bigger or remove the dividers so there are no slits? I'd go for making each a few mm bigger and adding a few more, but I'm not sure that would add enough to make a difference with your skimmer, not like a coast to coast would.

On a side note if you have that much slime suck it out with a turkey baster and address the cause of it. I also don't have any detritus that would not fit through the stock slits, are you over feeding?

THE ROOK · 04/18/2009, 06:33 PM

+1

Alaskan Reefer · 04/18/2009, 08:51 PM

+1

Don't modify the slats, modify what's clogging them.

Vauche · 04/18/2009, 10:16 PM

First, yes, not 2cm, that was thinking to fast (or not thinking). My thought was to just cut a slit horizontally through the dividers right at water level so it would look something akin to "++++++"

Secondly, working on the issues as far as detritus, cyano really,increase flow (absolutely false that this stuff can't grow in high flow though), less food, water changes, basting rocks every night, ect). Also I have a problem with sargassum algea, it is all over the place and when manual removal you just can't suck it all up so to get some to get through the overflow would be a big help.

Third well I'm not sure I can do a coast-to-coast (wouldn't know how to modify this tank if it was possible) this would be my best bet of increasing the amount of surface water that could be skimmed through the overflow (question if it would make a difference is a good question).

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it and agree, I need to solve the cause of the problem, but I could use all the help to clean up the problem as the the solution is taking effect. However, if the general consensus is I'm off my rocker, well, I suppose I should listen!

drummereef · 04/18/2009, 10:22 PM

Not sure I totally advocate this but here a mod for AGA overflows on Durso's website. Interesting none the less.

http://www.dursostandpipes.com/popul...w-modification

Sisterlimonpot · 04/18/2009, 11:13 PM

you know drummereef, that's not a bad idea for this situation. Keeps the snails out and the detritus has more of a chance of making its way in.

Stanley-Reefer · 04/19/2009, 07:49 AM

Dremel the slats so that there is not "top"--so there are no ovals anymore.

Capt_Cully · 04/19/2009, 08:12 AM

I've done this on all my overflows:

Dremel out the teeth and replace it with gutter guard. Don't know the exact flow rates but it definitely handled more flow than before.

Vauche · 04/19/2009, 09:36 PM

Thanks for the link and the picture. That might just be what I'm looking for!

drummereef · 04/19/2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vauche
Thanks for the link and the picture. That might just be what I'm looking for!

Just don't blame me if you get halfway into it and freak out when you realize you're taking a dremel to your display.

04/18/2009, 02:09 PM	#1
Vauche Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 340	Modifying AGA overflow I have a 90G AGA with AGA overflow (rated 600gph). These have vertical slats in them across the top. I read that ideally you want horizontal as this would give more surface area skimming. So my question, what would happen if I just cut about 1-1.5cm out of these slats at water level? Reasons I am considering this. One, I have noticed larger peices of detritus can not get through the slats as they are designed (even larger peices of slime algea get caught on them only to be blown off when flow switches). Two, even if 1-2 cm it would be small enough that nothing would be able to make it through. Anyways, just wondering, I do not want to ruin the overflow! Thanks

04/18/2009, 08:51 PM	#4
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	+1 Don't modify the slats, modify what's clogging them. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

04/18/2009, 10:22 PM	#6
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Not sure I totally advocate this but here a mod for AGA overflows on Durso's website. Interesting none the less. http://www.dursostandpipes.com/popul...w-modification __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/18/2009, 11:13 PM	#7
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	you know drummereef, that's not a bad idea for this situation. Keeps the snails out and the detritus has more of a chance of making its way in. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/19/2009, 08:12 AM	#9
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	I've done this on all my overflows: Dremel out the teeth and replace it with gutter guard. Don't know the exact flow rates but it definitely handled more flow than before. __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

04/18/2009, 04:44 PM	#2
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	Not sure I understand. 2.54cm is an inch so at 2cm you looking at about 4/5 of an inch. At that size my smaller crabs, snails and fish could get through. Are you planning to make each slit bigger or remove the dividers so there are no slits? I'd go for making each a few mm bigger and adding a few more, but I'm not sure that would add enough to make a difference with your skimmer, not like a coast to coast would. On a side note if you have that much slime suck it out with a turkey baster and address the cause of it. I also don't have any detritus that would not fit through the stock slits, are you over feeding?

04/18/2009, 06:33 PM	#3
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	+1

04/18/2009, 10:16 PM	#5
Vauche Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 340	First, yes, not 2cm, that was thinking to fast (or not thinking). My thought was to just cut a slit horizontally through the dividers right at water level so it would look something akin to "++++++" Secondly, working on the issues as far as detritus, cyano really,increase flow (absolutely false that this stuff can't grow in high flow though), less food, water changes, basting rocks every night, ect). Also I have a problem with sargassum algea, it is all over the place and when manual removal you just can't suck it all up so to get some to get through the overflow would be a big help. Third well I'm not sure I can do a coast-to-coast (wouldn't know how to modify this tank if it was possible) this would be my best bet of increasing the amount of surface water that could be skimmed through the overflow (question if it would make a difference is a good question). Thanks for the input, I appreciate it and agree, I need to solve the cause of the problem, but I could use all the help to clean up the problem as the the solution is taking effect. However, if the general consensus is I'm off my rocker, well, I suppose I should listen!

04/19/2009, 07:49 AM	#8
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,933	Dremel the slats so that there is not "top"--so there are no ovals anymore.

04/19/2009, 09:36 PM	#10
Vauche Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 340	Thanks for the link and the picture. That might just be what I'm looking for!