Bulkhead with Strainer as overflow....

nanoguy · 08/19/2009, 12:48 PM

Is anyone running just a bulkhead with a strainer used as an overflow? I was thinking of doing that for my ADA tank instead of building an overflow box. I'm concerned about possible noise and clogging issues with a bulkhead/strainer setup. Any thoughts on this?

Untamed12 · 08/19/2009, 12:57 PM

The reason that an overflow box is used is to pull water off the surface of the tank. If you don't pull water off the surface, a good scum will eventually form on there.

You can pull from the surface directly into a drain, but that is bound to be very noisy.

rendogg · 08/19/2009, 01:02 PM

Your concerns are valid, it works but not as well as an overflow box. Take the extra time and effort and you'll be happy that you did.

greggnyce · 08/19/2009, 01:15 PM

You can build an overflow box easily. Besides clogs it will make alot of noise unless you figure out a way for the air to escape. When I was moving i had some livestock in a large tub, I had only a bulkhead as the drain. To stop the gurgling, I attached a T to the bulkhead(behind the tank) and I capped the top and drilled a hole in the cap, like a durso. I also did this for the overflow from my refugium, I did not have enough room inside the overflow box I built for dursos behind the tank with PVC 3 way T. Make sense?

nanoguy · 08/19/2009, 01:32 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I get what you're saying greggnyce. That is a great idea. Is there a minimum size that these overflow boxes should be? I was thinking of a small one built (roughly 5 1/2" x 3"x 5") placed in the top left corner of the tank with the bulkhead mounted in the rear pane. My tank measures 24"x18"x18"........32 gallons. I included a pic of where it might be placed.......I'm doing a foam rock wall for this tank.

08/19/2009, 12:48 PM	#1
nanoguy OG Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 1,897	Bulkhead with Strainer as overflow.... Is anyone running just a bulkhead with a strainer used as an overflow? I was thinking of doing that for my ADA tank instead of building an overflow box. I'm concerned about possible noise and clogging issues with a bulkhead/strainer setup. Any thoughts on this?

08/19/2009, 12:57 PM	#2
Untamed12 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,578	The reason that an overflow box is used is to pull water off the surface of the tank. If you don't pull water off the surface, a good scum will eventually form on there. You can pull from the surface directly into a drain, but that is bound to be very noisy. __________________ Fishlist: Tangs: Yellow, Vlamingi, Blonde Naso, Unicorn, Atlantic Blue Others: Maroon Clown(s), Foxface, Majestic Angel, Hawkfish and more.. Current Tank Info: 400gal Envision Acrylic reef started 04/07

08/19/2009, 01:15 PM	#4
greggnyce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellport, New York Posts: 1,782	You can build an overflow box easily. Besides clogs it will make alot of noise unless you figure out a way for the air to escape. When I was moving i had some livestock in a large tub, I had only a bulkhead as the drain. To stop the gurgling, I attached a T to the bulkhead(behind the tank) and I capped the top and drilled a hole in the cap, like a durso. I also did this for the overflow from my refugium, I did not have enough room inside the overflow box I built for dursos behind the tank with PVC 3 way T. Make sense? __________________ What you talkin about Mrs Lime. Current Tank Info: 120 gl oceanic tech, 30 gallon fuge, 40 gallon sump, Itech 200 skimmer, LED Lighting . Mixed reef.

08/19/2009, 01:32 PM	#5
nanoguy OG Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 1,897	Thanks for the info guys. I get what you're saying greggnyce. That is a great idea. Is there a minimum size that these overflow boxes should be? I was thinking of a small one built (roughly 5 1/2" x 3"x 5") placed in the top left corner of the tank with the bulkhead mounted in the rear pane. My tank measures 24"x18"x18"........32 gallons. I included a pic of where it might be placed.......I'm doing a foam rock wall for this tank. __________________ - JC

08/19/2009, 01:02 PM	#3
rendogg Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Abbotsford, B.C. Posts: 578	Your concerns are valid, it works but not as well as an overflow box. Take the extra time and effort and you'll be happy that you did.