Aquascaping with center overflow

kaylo · 05/16/2009, 07:25 PM

I just picked up another tank that I am planning on doing FOWLR. The overflow box is in the middle of the tank allowing for 360 degree viewing. I don't have a spot for view from all angles right now so it will be going against a wall unfortunatly.

I am trying to find pictures of aquascaping to cover the overflow box in the middle of the tank. I can't seem to find anything or anyone who has done this. I am looking for a single column style with some small overhangs, but the overflow box is 20" from the bottom of the tank.

Any ideas?

kaylo · 05/16/2009, 11:05 PM

Anyone?

I remembered a tank in a store I shopped at in San Diego having the center overflow sculpted out with an awesome reef setup. Their tank was a big one though and mine is small.
Other than that tank I don't think i've seen this done.

Agu · 05/17/2009, 08:48 AM

A foam/rock wall is what you may want.

Check this thread .

BetterMetalReef · 05/17/2009, 10:29 AM

One of the recent TOTM had a large reef with a center overflow. He was able to view the tank from all sides and did some nifty construction for the concrete stand to hide all the plumbing. Looks like the tank is stand alone almost. Probably one of my favorite tanks, if not my most favorite. See link below.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-12/totm/index.php

These type of tanks are out there, try looking in the Large Tank forum as you need a larger tank to really pull this off. Good luck!

kaylo · 05/17/2009, 07:21 PM

Thanks to the both of you. Just seeing those tanks stirred up some creativity and I think I now know what I want to accomplish.

I always wanted a center overflow tank, but as soon as I got one I had no clue what to do with the aquascaping. lol

BetterMetalReef · 05/17/2009, 10:16 PM

If you're not exactly sure what you want on aquascaping then I'd suggest doing a couple of mock-ups with crumpled newspaper and tape, or cut out sections of styrofoam. This allows you to really go nuts and do whatever you can think of and see if you like it. Also, if you're going to use dry rock (such as macrorock) you could do this to your hearts content as well. Would be a little more messy with actual live rock though, but with your dry run as a guide could make the final building of the aquascape a bit easier.

Have fun!

05/16/2009, 07:25 PM	#1
kaylo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Windsor, CT Posts: 449	Aquascaping with center overflow I just picked up another tank that I am planning on doing FOWLR. The overflow box is in the middle of the tank allowing for 360 degree viewing. I don't have a spot for view from all angles right now so it will be going against a wall unfortunatly. I am trying to find pictures of aquascaping to cover the overflow box in the middle of the tank. I can't seem to find anything or anyone who has done this. I am looking for a single column style with some small overhangs, but the overflow box is 20" from the bottom of the tank. Any ideas? __________________ Hi. My name is Brian and i'm a reef addict. Current Tank Info: 135g tank: 75g sump, Reef Octopus Extreme SX 200 skimmer and marineland 4500 return, 2x Koralia EVOLUTION 1400

05/16/2009, 11:05 PM	#2
kaylo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Windsor, CT Posts: 449	Anyone? I remembered a tank in a store I shopped at in San Diego having the center overflow sculpted out with an awesome reef setup. Their tank was a big one though and mine is small. Other than that tank I don't think i've seen this done. __________________ Hi. My name is Brian and i'm a reef addict. Current Tank Info: 135g tank: 75g sump, Reef Octopus Extreme SX 200 skimmer and marineland 4500 return, 2x Koralia EVOLUTION 1400

05/17/2009, 08:48 AM	#3
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	A foam/rock wall is what you may want. Check this thread . __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

05/17/2009, 10:29 AM	#4
BetterMetalReef Will work for Corals Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Arlington, MA Posts: 57	One of the recent TOTM had a large reef with a center overflow. He was able to view the tank from all sides and did some nifty construction for the concrete stand to hide all the plumbing. Looks like the tank is stand alone almost. Probably one of my favorite tanks, if not my most favorite. See link below. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-12/totm/index.php These type of tanks are out there, try looking in the Large Tank forum as you need a larger tank to really pull this off. Good luck! __________________ Dual 50 gallon tank system in the works. Current Tank Info: Working on it.

05/17/2009, 07:21 PM	#5
kaylo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Windsor, CT Posts: 449	Thanks to the both of you. Just seeing those tanks stirred up some creativity and I think I now know what I want to accomplish. I always wanted a center overflow tank, but as soon as I got one I had no clue what to do with the aquascaping. lol __________________ Hi. My name is Brian and i'm a reef addict. Current Tank Info: 135g tank: 75g sump, Reef Octopus Extreme SX 200 skimmer and marineland 4500 return, 2x Koralia EVOLUTION 1400

05/17/2009, 10:16 PM	#6
BetterMetalReef Will work for Corals Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Arlington, MA Posts: 57	If you're not exactly sure what you want on aquascaping then I'd suggest doing a couple of mock-ups with crumpled newspaper and tape, or cut out sections of styrofoam. This allows you to really go nuts and do whatever you can think of and see if you like it. Also, if you're going to use dry rock (such as macrorock) you could do this to your hearts content as well. Would be a little more messy with actual live rock though, but with your dry run as a guide could make the final building of the aquascape a bit easier. Have fun! __________________ Dual 50 gallon tank system in the works. Current Tank Info: Working on it.