buying used tank. Bulkheads or built-in overflow?

[Closser]

Hello ReefCentral. Another question from a forever newbie. I'm looking to upgrade and am finding great deals on all sorts of tanks on our local forum, manhattanreefs.com

My question goes out to all of the plumbing experts here on RC. Is it preferable to have an AGA/Oceanic style tank with built-in overflow boxes, or to look for a tank that is drilled for bulkheads? It it simply a matter of preference?

Thanks!

[ski360]

I would go for a drilled for bulkheads. Easier to work with, less chance of flooding your home with a overflow box.

[SGrim80]

I'm very interested in hearing about this too. Don't you still have overflows when the bottom is drilled for bulkheads? The coast to coast overflow uses holes in the bottom of the tank.

[jcw]

If it's DIY, make sure it's done right. From AGA, you know it's going to at least work.

I purchased an incomplete acrylic cube project that was sold to me VERY cheap.

Come to find out that the overflow box wouldn't fit the intended drain and return and the sump was a little problematic.

[Agu]

Originally Posted by Closser

My question goes out to all of the plumbing experts here on RC. Is it preferable to have an AGA/Oceanic style tank with built-in overflow boxes, or to look for a tank that is drilled for bulkheads? It it simply a matter of preference?

Thanks!

An AGA/Oceanic tank will typically have bulkheads behind the overflow unless it's an all in one tank. The real question as I understand it is, "Is it preferable to have an overflow ?" IMO an overflow surface skims better , hides the plumbing, and allows you to change/repair the plumbing without having to empty/drain down the tank. Given the option I would only go with a tank that's drilled for bulkheads behind an overflow.

[Fizz71]

Unless I'm missing something...not having an overflow will make surface skimming poor or non-existent. Drilling holes for bulkheads are good for closed loops, but for an open sump system you have to either:
A. Have an overflow built in -- Preferred IMO
B. Have one built after the fact -- and hope it's done right.
C. Build your own -- Fine if you're good at that
D. Put in a HOT overflow box -- AVOID if you can.
E. Put the hole right at the water surface -- ..and worry about sucking noises and clogs.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but IMO a built in overflow is a no-brainier (says the guy who ran HOT for years and will NEVER go back)

[Fizz71]

EDIT: My first double-post in quite a while...sorry.

[Ron Reefman]

Originally Posted by Closser

Hello ReefCentral. Another question from a forever newbie. I'm looking to upgrade and am finding great deals on all sorts of tanks on our local forum, manhattanreefs.com

My question goes out to all of the plumbing experts here on RC. Is it preferable to have an AGA/Oceanic style tank with built-in overflow boxes, or to look for a tank that is drilled for bulkheads? It it simply a matter of preference?

Thanks!

I know you have confused me. And I think you may have confused others. If you have a built in overflow box, the tank will be drilled with bulkheads (either at the bottom of the tank or in the back glass). If you mean by 'overflow box' a siphon overflow which takes water over the back glass, don't call it an overflow box. It's a siphon overflow because you siphon the water OVER the back glass... no bulkheads.

If that is what you are asking, go for the tank that is drilled with bulkheads and an overflow box (or wall, or weir).

[Closser]

Sorry to have been vague. Let me try to clarify. I wondered if there is any benefit to having an aquarium with a corner overflow that is drilled in the bottom for a bulkhead, or putting the bulkhead at the top of the aquarium such that the water overflows out the top of the aquarium rather than the bottom. Or are they more or less the same thing?

I didn't mean to include siphon overflows in the discussion.

[Closser]

double post

[Meshmez]

I have heard that the ones at the top (side) are harder to quiet down (though I would think you could do something similar to a durso system.) Also you have to figure out a way to prevent fish from getting sucked in.

[cholo900rr]

if the hole is up high you will have to plumb behind the tank and down which will change your tanks profile from the wall. If the hole is through the bottom you can keep the plumbing inside and be closer to the wall in the back of your tank.
either way you can integrate a return that is pretty silent.

[Fizz71]

Still confused...If it's got a corner overflow no matter where the hole is inside the overflow it's taking the water from the surface of your main display area. The only concern otherwise is noise and plumbing like Meshmez and cholo900rr said. Personally I'd go for the bottom because you can drop a durso stand pipe mod for the noise and put the tank close to the wall or if it's in-wall be out of your way when you're behind it.

The only reason IMO to go with a high drilled whole inside your overflow is if you're either afraid the overflow will leak (which is still irrelevant with a stand pipe in there) or if you want to plumb through the wall for a higher mounted pipe/sump on the other side (great of split level homes).

[Closser]

Thanks for the help guys, this cleared things up for me!

[Sk8r]

If the overflow was installed by the manufacturer, it contains 2 bulkheads at the bottom, and it probably has a double 'trick' wall to prevent drain-down. Bulkheads installed by DIY'ers sometimes leak.

[Chris27]

I think we're talking about buying a standard Reef Ready tank with a built in overflow vs. a tank that was drilled post manufacturer, with bulkheads / overflow custom built...

In that case, I would trust a manufactured Reef Ready tank over a modified one any day of the week. Let's face it, reefers are nerds, and most of us don't know how to drill glass or plumb properly, so there is a great deal of hacked up junk floating around the for sale adds both on here and craigslist.

In the event you do intend to buy a tank was not professionally built, perform a thorough visual inspection on the bulkheads, the holes that were drilled for the bulkheads, and the fabrication quality of the overflow box, if applicable. A leak in an overflow box could allow a great deal of water back into the sump if the return pump isn't running for a length of time.

[discus510]

think wats hes trying to ask is get a tank with built in overflow or just a tank tat has hole drilled in and just bulkhead where water goes into without the skimming surface. i would go with the overflow built in cuz of teeth and skimming surface will remove lots of stuff on surface of water instead of getting it where ppl just add on bulkhead to drain water to sump (unless tat tank a custom skimmer box to help skim more surface area

[Chris27]

huh?