overflow idea- is this possible

[lessthanlights]

I want the inside of my reef to be very clean looking so I'm hesitant about internal overflows- so let me bounce this idea off everyone. This tank will be a 40 breeder, 36x18x16, most likely of acrylic. Could the entire back wall became an overflow and the box to catch the water mounted to the back during construction? My thought was to have a flat back wall with a convenient place for plumbing. The image is a side view.

[30mini]

I don't see why that wouldn't work... you only need to have the three viewing walls be higher than the back wall, and that will work fine IMO. FWIW, it will look much cleaner!!

[TheVillageIdiot]

hey, looks very similar to anthony calfo's horizontal overflow boxes...

here's a link to a recent build of one similar to yours...


a link

[calvin415]

That's exactly what I'm doing on my new tank build, I'll try to post some pics once I get the overflow box attached.

[Lcattin]

Check out my gallery. I did a Calfo in my 65 gallon but if you are just building this idea seems much better to me. I like it.

Les

[lessthanlights]

Great- how many returns and what size would you put in? I'm thinking three 1/2 or 3/4 returns. Also placement? I'm new to sumps to thanks for your answers!

[30mini]

That depends on the pump your using and the flow rate your going to put through your sump

[lessthanlights]

Originally posted by 30mini
That depends on the pump your using and the flow rate your going to put through your sump

I'll be keeping softies, lps, and clams under 4x39 t5 and 30 gallon sump. What flow would you reccomend?

[Qwiv]

Works for me

[Lcattin]

I have a 20 gallon sump and I am running a Sedra 900gpm pump into a 3/4" return to the manifold. I used two 1" bulkheads in the overflow to the sump with screens screwed into the bulkheads going into 1" pvc down to the sump. The screens really helped quiet things down. It sets right next to the tv in the family room.

[MinibowMatt]

I just did it on my 50G Acrylic
here it is from the outside:

Here is a pic of the overflow slot, and the comb i made to stop fish from going over:


I think I cut the slot 1 1/4" X 11" I forget the GPH rating, but i know it was enough for my mag9.5 return. (with a 1" drain BH)
Some people say the comb isnt necessary.

[lessthanlights]

For everyone who has these types of overflows . . . Where does the water level sit in the display tank- above the drainge slots or just at them? Also, is the overflow always full of water or is there just an inch or so of water in it? What about noise?




Qwiv-

What is this?

[RandyStacyE]

MinibowMatt, I realy like this method:


I'd take something that any day. I like the slots in the back of the tank.

[MinibowMatt]

It wasnt hard to do, just lay it out, and cut with a router. I used Weldon 3 to attach the external box..

[rtstrat01]

its a stand pipe, like the durso, it keeps the overflow from sounding like a toliet bowl flushing

[Qwiv]

ksupermnp: The water level in the display should be close to the level of the top of your overflow. A really wide overflow or low GPH will cause the water to be almost exactally the height of the overflow, just a thin film higher. A narrow overflow or high GPH will cause the water to be slightly higher than the overflow due to the volume of water trying to flow over the overflow.

My overflow always has 6" of water in it as I have a baffle installed that keeps the water that high, inside the overflow. That is because I use the overflow as a frag tank. If that baffle was not installed, the water level would be to where my standpipe is. This is adjustable from about 1 1/2" to the top of the overflow.

The holes in my stand pipe are how I adjust how much air enters the duruso. There are multiple holes and I can move the cap around to adjust how many of them are open.