Urgent: Quick question about overflow box height

BlackTip · 04/02/2015, 02:15 PM

Per recommendations here, I asked my tank builder to install the overflow box without teeth. I received photos of the tank today prior to shipping, and from the photo I see the overflow box is as high as the tank itself. The overflow weir is touching the top black frame.

This is a problem, right?

How high the overflow box should be? Tank is 26" tall.

This is an internal overflow box. Like the one come in a reef ready tanks

Thanks,

das75 · 04/02/2015, 02:50 PM

seems like a problem, was the builder thinking you would cut your own teeth

jayball · 04/02/2015, 02:51 PM

I would not like my water level that high.

BlackTip · 04/02/2015, 02:59 PM

I know it is a problem. I want to know low from the top black frame the overflow box should be, so I can communicate that to him prior to shipping.

das75 · 04/02/2015, 03:30 PM

there's online calculators that show water height above lip based on flow and total weir length. RC's little different way laid out but works out to about little under 1/4" of water over the lip. Could use it though to work backwards from you have to give approximate idea of water over lip. Personally I would have the water level about 1/4" lower that inside edge of trim to prevent wicking (so if water 1/4" above lip, overflow 1/2" below trim).

Surprised though builder didn't catch this.

BlackTip · 04/02/2015, 03:47 PM

I weir size is 34" in total length. My target flow rate is 1300gph - 1700gph. The water hight over the weir should be between .35" - .42". Adding another .5" for safety. So, per my calculation the weir should be about .9" from the top.

Is this correct. 1" from the top?

tkeracer619 · 04/02/2015, 03:59 PM

Sounds about right.

mmn · 04/02/2015, 05:31 PM

I have a 2" wide trim around the outside of my tank. I placed the weir even with the bottom of that so I don't see the water line. The water depth over the weir is about 1/4" - 3/16" depending on my flow rate.

BlackTip · 04/02/2015, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmn

I have a 2" wide trim around the outside of my tank. I placed the weir even with the bottom of that so I don't see the water line. The water depth over the weir is about 1/4" - 3/16" depending on my flow rate.

Is it typical that the black top frame to be 2" wide?

BlackTip · 04/06/2015, 07:32 AM

Here is the response I got from the builder "The overflow box is even with the bottom of the trim line so it is 1” below the plastic ledge and should be fine no matter what flow rate you run."

That should be OK, right?

The photo I was sent is small, and the the black overflow box blended with the black trim. One couldn't tell which is which.

asudavew · 04/06/2015, 07:39 AM

Sounds like your good to me. I typically place mine just above the bottom of the black frame.

d2mini · 04/06/2015, 08:12 AM

During normal running, your water level will be about .25"-.5" above the height of the overflow depending on how strong your return pump is.

fishgate · 04/06/2015, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BalckTip

Here is the response I got from the builder "The overflow box is even with the bottom of the trim line so it is 1” below the plastic ledge and should be fine no matter what flow rate you run."

That should be OK, right?

The photo I was sent is small, and the the black overflow box blended with the black trim. One couldn't tell which is which.

I was about to say the weir opening should be at the bottom of the trim. That way the tank always appears to be totally full and the actually running depth will be about 1/4" above that when the pumps are going.

ca1ore · 04/06/2015, 03:02 PM

Agree that as long as the top of a toothless overflow is level with the bottom trim line you will be fine for any flow rate.

04/02/2015, 02:15 PM	#1
BlackTip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 1,598	Urgent: Quick question about overflow box height Per recommendations here, I asked my tank builder to install the overflow box without teeth. I received photos of the tank today prior to shipping, and from the photo I see the overflow box is as high as the tank itself. The overflow weir is touching the top black frame. This is a problem, right? How high the overflow box should be? Tank is 26" tall. This is an internal overflow box. Like the one come in a reef ready tanks Thanks, Last edited by BlackTip; 04/02/2015 at 02:57 PM.

04/02/2015, 02:50 PM	#2
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	seems like a problem, was the builder thinking you would cut your own teeth __________________ . Current Tank Info: 145g Starfire display (mixed reef) w/75g basement sump & 20g refugium, Barracuda return, Dart w/OM 4way CL, AI Hydras and Director.

04/02/2015, 03:30 PM	#5
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	there's online calculators that show water height above lip based on flow and total weir length. RC's little different way laid out but works out to about little under 1/4" of water over the lip. Could use it though to work backwards from you have to give approximate idea of water over lip. Personally I would have the water level about 1/4" lower that inside edge of trim to prevent wicking (so if water 1/4" above lip, overflow 1/2" below trim). Surprised though builder didn't catch this. __________________ . Current Tank Info: 145g Starfire display (mixed reef) w/75g basement sump & 20g refugium, Barracuda return, Dart w/OM 4way CL, AI Hydras and Director.

04/02/2015, 03:59 PM	#7
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Sounds about right. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/02/2015, 05:31 PM	#8
mmn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 340	I have a 2" wide trim around the outside of my tank. I placed the weir even with the bottom of that so I don't see the water line. The water depth over the weir is about 1/4" - 3/16" depending on my flow rate. __________________ Regards Michael 125g DT, Jebao DC9000, BA drain, 55g sump, Mixing: 2x32g Brutes, Panworld 30PX, 20l QT, RLSS R6I skimmer, 3 x Kessil A360WE, Neptune Apex. Current Tank Info: 2 clowns, 2 blue-green chromis, 2 Duncans and 2 GSPs

04/02/2015, 02:51 PM	#3
jayball Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,671	I would not like my water level that high.

04/02/2015, 02:59 PM	#4
BlackTip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 1,598	I know it is a problem. I want to know low from the top black frame the overflow box should be, so I can communicate that to him prior to shipping.

04/02/2015, 03:47 PM	#6
BlackTip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 1,598	I weir size is 34" in total length. My target flow rate is 1300gph - 1700gph. The water hight over the weir should be between .35" - .42". Adding another .5" for safety. So, per my calculation the weir should be about .9" from the top. Is this correct. 1" from the top?

04/06/2015, 07:32 AM	#10
BlackTip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 1,598	Here is the response I got from the builder "The overflow box is even with the bottom of the trim line so it is 1” below the plastic ledge and should be fine no matter what flow rate you run." That should be OK, right? The photo I was sent is small, and the the black overflow box blended with the black trim. One couldn't tell which is which.

04/06/2015, 07:39 AM	#11
asudavew Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 1,010	Sounds like your good to me. I typically place mine just above the bottom of the black frame. __________________ Be nice. Current Tank Info: 180, 125, 75

04/06/2015, 08:12 AM	#12
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	During normal running, your water level will be about .25"-.5" above the height of the overflow depending on how strong your return pump is. __________________ -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.

04/06/2015, 03:02 PM	#14
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Agree that as long as the top of a toothless overflow is level with the bottom trim line you will be fine for any flow rate. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs