Which would you rather have?

d2mini · 09/21/2009, 01:33 PM

If you were going to do a 36x36x24 trimless cube tank which was going to be full walkaround, would you rather have a center overflow that takes up a bunch of useable real estate in the center of the tank, or would you rather have a corner overflow that leaves the whole center of the tank open but obviously blocks one corner of the tank? Keep in mind that there will be live rock as well.

The spot I'm putting the tank in will be VERY viewable on two sides and viewable on the other two if you decide to walk around it. It's basically going to be about 3 feet from a corner. So yeah, you can definitely walk around it but it's not smack dab in the center of a room. Get what I'm saying? So in this situation, which do you think is the lesser of two evils? Corner overflow or center column overflow?

JeF4y · 09/21/2009, 01:46 PM

I'd have to see how the center overflow ruins the center space... In what I've seen, the center overflow can actually help aquascape in the square tanks as it is a centerpoint to pile rock on. But I could be wrong...

Mr. Brooks · 09/21/2009, 01:51 PM

I'd go with center.

herostar · 09/21/2009, 02:01 PM

Center!

But who's stopping you from putting it a little off-center

cdbias2 · 09/21/2009, 02:52 PM

I'd go in the center, but I'd also add a dry tube in there for the power cords that go to the powerheads.

grevedin · 09/21/2009, 03:25 PM

I am planning a similar custom ELOS tank and am doing it with a corner overflow which will basically be hidden by a wall. See the below pictures of the models I have made. It gives you far more aquascaping possibilities, and once the overflow will be encrusted by purple algae it will hardly be noticeable.

luther1200 · 09/21/2009, 03:27 PM

Thats a tough 1. But a center overflow would be really sweet.

grevedin · 09/21/2009, 03:28 PM

Orochimaru · 09/21/2009, 03:50 PM

In your case, corner is perfect.

d2mini · 09/21/2009, 04:16 PM

In those pics, corner makes total sense.
But in my case there is plenty of space to actually walk around the tank 360 degrees.

d2mini · 09/21/2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cdbias2
I'd go in the center, but I'd also add a dry tube in there for the power cords that go to the powerheads.

Closed loop, no powerheads. And power for lighting will come from the ceiling.

100%hydrophylic · 09/21/2009, 04:22 PM

thats a really cool set up. definitely do the corner how you have it in your design.

albano · 09/21/2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JeF4y
In what I've seen, the center overflow can actually help aquascape in the square tanks as it is a centerpoint to pile rock on.

CENTER

grevedin · 09/21/2009, 04:24 PM

If you can walk around it, I would definitely go for centre overflow.

wrott · 09/21/2009, 05:33 PM

A little off center, toward a back corner.

bhelne01 · 09/21/2009, 05:38 PM

center

elosusa · 09/22/2009, 11:23 AM

What are the dimensions on the center overflow? I prefer a corner overflow, as small as possible, on the side least viewed because this will keep that great depth you have in this cube.

d2mini · 09/22/2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by elosusa
What are the dimensions on the center overflow? I prefer a corner overflow, as small as possible, on the side least viewed because this will keep that great depth you have in this cube.

Well, i haven't quite figured that out yet but hope to this week or next. It's going to depend on what I decide to do with the plumbing. Someone else in the DIY forum had a thread talking about something I'm considering.... a large drain pipe (2-3") with a 3/4" return inside.
But if I go with a typical square overflow box with one drain, one emergency drain, and a return pipe, factoring in the space needed for correct hole spacing and bulkhead size, I would probably end up with something close to a 10" square box taking up the center of the tank. If the tank is 36" that leaves less than 13" of space between the glass wall and the overflow wall. Then try to stack some rock and you are left with very little exposed sand bottom. So this is why I am considering a corner overflow on the least viewed side like you mentioned.

elosusa · 09/22/2009, 12:44 PM

Yeah I think the center placement would really turn a great sized aquarium into essentially 4 really narrow and limited views. Part of what makes a cube so nice, is the depth and the ability to look all the way through that depth and the center overflow, or even the center pipe, would block or inhibit both.

luther1200 · 09/22/2009, 01:51 PM

But at that point you may as well just block off 1 whole side and paint it black. Then you will really have a nice depth look.

gregsreef · 09/22/2009, 02:03 PM

Corner.

graha321 · 09/22/2009, 04:32 PM

I think it's a personal preference. I would go with a corner overflow to maintain the depth of the cube.

username in use · 09/22/2009, 04:48 PM

on a 36" cube the center overflow will have to be at least 6 or 7 inches wide, leaving at most, 15" from the glass to the overflow. Thats not that much room to scape. You say it will be mostly in a corner, but you can walk around it. In that case I would be all for the corner overflow, as most of the time it will be viewed from the front 2 sides. i dont really like center overflows unless the tank is at least 4ft square.

LPS_Blasto · 09/22/2009, 04:49 PM

Where do the closed loop lines come in? Bottom? How mahy holes and where are they?

09/21/2009, 01:33 PM	#1
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	Which would you rather have? If you were going to do a 36x36x24 trimless cube tank which was going to be full walkaround, would you rather have a center overflow that takes up a bunch of useable real estate in the center of the tank, or would you rather have a corner overflow that leaves the whole center of the tank open but obviously blocks one corner of the tank? Keep in mind that there will be live rock as well. The spot I'm putting the tank in will be VERY viewable on two sides and viewable on the other two if you decide to walk around it. It's basically going to be about 3 feet from a corner. So yeah, you can definitely walk around it but it's not smack dab in the center of a room. Get what I'm saying? So in this situation, which do you think is the lesser of two evils? Corner overflow or center column overflow?

09/21/2009, 01:46 PM	#2
JeF4y El Conquistidor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,057	I'd have to see how the center overflow ruins the center space... In what I've seen, the center overflow can actually help aquascape in the square tanks as it is a centerpoint to pile rock on. But I could be wrong... __________________ I've made a small fortune in Reefing! I just started out with a large fortune and the rest came easily. Want a Cleaner Wrasse? Consider a shower! ;-) Current Tank Info: 60 Cube!

09/21/2009, 02:01 PM	#4
herostar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 1,024	Center! But who's stopping you from putting it a little off-center __________________ Do a good turn daily. Current Tank Info: 58g Oceanic (Est. 2007)

09/21/2009, 03:25 PM	#6
grevedin Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Posts: 181	I am planning a similar custom ELOS tank and am doing it with a corner overflow which will basically be hidden by a wall. See the below pictures of the models I have made. It gives you far more aquascaping possibilities, and once the overflow will be encrusted by purple algae it will hardly be noticeable. __________________ 215 Gallon Custom ELOS Reef with SPS, LPS, and some Soft Corals

09/21/2009, 03:27 PM	#7
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	Thats a tough 1. But a center overflow would be really sweet. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

09/21/2009, 01:51 PM	#3
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	I'd go with center.

09/21/2009, 02:52 PM	#5
cdbias2 Appalachian Reef Society Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alum Creek, WV (No more) Posts: 1,433	I'd go in the center, but I'd also add a dry tube in there for the power cords that go to the powerheads.

09/21/2009, 03:28 PM	#8
grevedin Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Posts: 181	__________________ 215 Gallon Custom ELOS Reef with SPS, LPS, and some Soft Corals

09/21/2009, 03:50 PM	#9
Orochimaru 1 of 3 legendary ninjas Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Leaf Village of OC Posts: 3,324	In your case, corner is perfect. __________________ Gintama, episode 118 = "Live an honest life even if your back is crooked." STD(s) are not Pokemons, you don't have to catch them all!

09/21/2009, 04:16 PM	#10
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	In those pics, corner makes total sense. But in my case there is plenty of space to actually walk around the tank 360 degrees. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

09/21/2009, 04:22 PM	#12
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	thats a really cool set up. definitely do the corner how you have it in your design. __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS

09/21/2009, 04:24 PM	#14
grevedin Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Posts: 181	If you can walk around it, I would definitely go for centre overflow. __________________ 215 Gallon Custom ELOS Reef with SPS, LPS, and some Soft Corals

09/21/2009, 05:33 PM	#15
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	A little off center, toward a back corner. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

09/21/2009, 05:38 PM	#16
bhelne01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: florida Posts: 293	center __________________ The future started yesterday and we are already late... Current Tank Info: 90 w/ 30 sump;

09/22/2009, 11:23 AM	#17
elosusa RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 272	What are the dimensions on the center overflow? I prefer a corner overflow, as small as possible, on the side least viewed because this will keep that great depth you have in this cube. __________________ Jesse 877-373-0105(Toll Free) 925-600-8020(Office) info@elosusa.com www.facebook.com/elosusa Current Tank Info: yes

09/22/2009, 12:44 PM	#19
elosusa RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 272	Yeah I think the center placement would really turn a great sized aquarium into essentially 4 really narrow and limited views. Part of what makes a cube so nice, is the depth and the ability to look all the way through that depth and the center overflow, or even the center pipe, would block or inhibit both. __________________ Jesse 877-373-0105(Toll Free) 925-600-8020(Office) info@elosusa.com www.facebook.com/elosusa Current Tank Info: yes

09/22/2009, 01:51 PM	#20
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	But at that point you may as well just block off 1 whole side and paint it black. Then you will really have a nice depth look. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

09/22/2009, 02:03 PM	#21
gregsreef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 109	Corner. __________________ What if there was no such thing as race or religion? Peace! Current Tank Info: 100gal tall BB reef with 125gal sump containing a 40gal refugium(4" DSB, Cheato, LR) 20gal propagation, 15gal skimmer and return ares. 2 x 250w Hamilton HQI.

09/22/2009, 04:32 PM	#22
graha321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MN Posts: 99	I think it's a personal preference. I would go with a corner overflow to maintain the depth of the cube.

09/22/2009, 04:48 PM	#23
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	on a 36" cube the center overflow will have to be at least 6 or 7 inches wide, leaving at most, 15" from the glass to the overflow. Thats not that much room to scape. You say it will be mostly in a corner, but you can walk around it. In that case I would be all for the corner overflow, as most of the time it will be viewed from the front 2 sides. i dont really like center overflows unless the tank is at least 4ft square. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

09/22/2009, 04:49 PM	#24
LPS_Blasto Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 581	Where do the closed loop lines come in? Bottom? How mahy holes and where are they?