More FAQs about Overflows, Boxes and
Plumbing:
Construction
Related Articles: Overflow Box Arrangements,
Plumbing Marine
Systems by Bob Fenner, Myth of the One Inch Beast
(Why Relying on One Inch Overflows... or Overflow! Is
foolhardy) by Scott Vallembois, The Flowrates through various Bulkheads
(In relation to overflow drains) by Scott
Vallembois & Mike
Kirkman, Plumbing Return
Manifolds, Refugiums,
Related FAQs: Overflows 1, Overflows 2, Overflows 3, & FAQs on: Rationale/Use, Sizing, Through-Hull Fittings, Hang-On Selection, Plumbing, Troubleshooting/Repair...
Marine Plumbing 1,
Marine Plumbing 2, Marine Plumbing 3, Marine Plumbing 4, Marine Plumbing 5, Marine Plumbing 6, Plumbing 7, Plumbing
8, Plumbing 9, Plumbing 10, Plumbing 11, Plumbing 12, Plumbing 13, Plumbing 14, Plumbing 15, Plumbing 16, Plumbing 17, Plumbing 18, Holes & Drilling, Durso Standpipes, Make Up Water
Systems, Pumps, Plumbing, Circulation, Sumps, Refugiums, Marine Circulation 2, Gear Selection for
Circulation, Pump
Problems, Fish-Only Marine Set-ups,
Fish-Only Marine
Systems 2, FOWLR/Fish and
Invertebrate Systems, Reef Systems,
Coldwater Systems, Small Systems, Large
Systems, Water
Changes, Surge Devices,
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Internal horizontal overflow 1/24/10
Hi crew, hoping (yet confident) you can help me.
<We'll try>
I have a 150G glass tank, with another 120 or so gallons inline through
sump and 56 gallon refugium. My tank is about a year and a half old
and, although I am quite pleased with how things have gone, I set
things up before I found your site and inevitably now wish I had done
some things differently. In case this info is needed, it is a mixed
reef tank with (unfortunately) too many fish.
<Good start...>
I recently lost my job so I have a bit of time (and money) on my hands
so I though I would change things around a bit to combat an algae
problem that I can't seem to kick. Won't bore you with all the
details, but I would like you to know that the advice you have given
others has helped me tremendously and I am confident that with these
changes (to livestock mix and number, circulation, source water and
lighting) things will soon look up. Who knows, when I am no longer as
distracted by my green tank I may find the motivation to look for
another job!
<Wow! Great!>
One of the things I would like to change is the circulation in the
tank.
Currently, I rely on a Quiet One 6000 and 4 Koralia powerheads of
various strengths to create flow. My most significant change will be
the addition of a closed loop manifold powered by a Sequence Barracuda
at 4500 g/hr at 0 head, which will draw water from 2 new holes that I
will drill in the back wall just below the existing overflows.
Additionally, though, I would like to replace my two internal overflow
boxes with a long box that spans the length of the back wall and ties
in not just the existing 1.5 inch bulkheads but also the 1 inch that is
currently used as a return. This will look a little nicer in the tank,
give me an addition 300 g/hr flow through capacity, and also improve
surface skimming. Do you think this is wise?
<Mmm, so far, yes>
My question relates to this last modification. Can you please refer me
to a vendor or site that can make such an overflow?
<Yes... or at least my best choice of where to ask for this outfit.
Contact Mike (info@ or call) at Glass-holes.com>
Alternatively, if you know of none or if you think that such an
overflow would be too expensive to purchase or ship, can you give me
some pointers to build one myself?
<Yes, certainly>
I am fairly handy, but do like to do my research before doing something
not tried before. As it is a glass tank would I not have some
challenges in attaching and sealing an acrylic overflow?
<Not hard to do... with the tank empty, not (acrylic) bowed from
age...>
You guys (and gals) are awesome. If I am lucky enough to have Mr.
Fenner himself read or respond to this, I would like to compliment him
on a thoroughly entertaining and informative book - Reef Invertebrates
- which I have not been able to put down since getting it from Santa
this year.
Your knowledge and dedication to the hobby are inspiring, as is the
respect you obviously have towards all aquatic life.
Andrew (from unseasonably warm Toronto, Ontario)
<Thank you for your kind, encouraging words. Do chat w/ Mike... and
maybe ScottV... and we'll aid your efforts in whatever ways we
can/may. Cheers, Bob Fenner>
Internal Horizontal Overflow (and some words of praise for
BobF!) -- 01/24/10
Hi crew,
<<Hey Andrew>>
Hoping (yet confident) you can help me.
<<I shall try [grin]>>
I have a 150G glass tank, with another 120 or so gallons inline through
sump and 56 gallon refugium.
<<Excellent>>
My tank is about a year and a half old and, although I am quite pleased
with how things have gone, I set things up before I found your site and
inevitably now wish I had done some things differently.
<<Oh?>>
In case this info is needed, it is a mixed reef tank with
(unfortunately) too many fish.
<<Ah'¦>>
I recently lost my job so I have a bit of time (and money) on my hands
so I though I would change things around a bit to combat an algae
problem that I can't seem to kick. Won't bore you with all the
details, but I would like you to know that the advice you have given
others has helped me tremendously and I am confident that with these
changes (to livestock mix and number, circulation, source water and
lighting) things will soon look up.
<<Good to know>>
Who knows, when I am no longer as distracted by my green tank I may
find the motivation to look for another job!
<<Ha!>>
One of the things I would like to change is the circulation in the
tank. Currently, I rely on a Quiet-One 6000 and 4 Koralia powerheads of
various strengths to create flow. My most significant change will be
the addition of a closed-loop manifold powered by a Sequence Barracuda
at 4500 g/hr at 0 head, which will draw water from 2 new holes that I
will drill in the back wall just below the existing overflows.
<<Okay>>
Additionally, though, I would like to replace my two internal overflow
boxes with a long box that spans the length of the back wall and ties
in not just the existing 1.5 inch bulkheads but also the 1 inch that is
currently used as a return. This will look a little nicer in the tank,
give me an addition 300 g/hr flow through capacity, and also improve
surface skimming. Do you think this is wise?
<<I don't see anything that should be a
problem'¦assuming you have the skills/DIY savvy to make the
change>>
My question relates to this last modification. Can you please refer me
to a vendor or site that can make such an overflow?
<<If you provide the detail/dimensions, most any tank
manufacturer should be able to cobble one together for you. You could
also contact Glasscages.com and discuss your needs with them as I have
seen pictures of tanks they have built with such overflows>>
Alternatively, if you know of none or if you think that such an
overflow would be too expensive to purchase or ship, can you give me
some pointers to build one myself?
<<Up to you to decide what is 'too expensive,' but
construction is essentially a long narrow trough where the tank panel
makes up the 'back side' of the trough'¦built deep
enough to accommodate the bulkheads'¦and positioned with the
upper lip at the desired water height. And by the
way'¦'teeth' along the upper edge of the overflow are
not necessary. Here's a pic that should make construction pretty
much self-explanatory: http://forum.marinedepot.com/Attachment181.aspx
>>
I am fairly handy, but do like to do my research before doing something
not tried before.
<<Then this project shouldn't be a problem. Do search the
Net/hobby forums a bit for discussions and pics'¦there's a
number of hobbyists who have utilized this type of overflow>>
As it is a glass tank would I not have some challenges in attaching and
sealing an acrylic overflow?
<<Indeed'¦ I very much encourage you to have the
overflow made/construct it of the same material as the
tank'¦glass in this case, and then attached with
silicone>>
You guys (and gals) are awesome.
<<Aw shucks'¦thanks!>>
If I am lucky enough to have Mr. Fenner himself read or respond to
this,
<<I'll tag the title, so hopefully he should see
this>>
I would like to compliment him on a thoroughly entertaining and
informative book - Reef Invertebrates - which I have not been able to
put down since getting it from Santa this year. Your knowledge and
dedication to the hobby are inspiring, as is the respect you obviously
have towards all aquatic life.
Andrew (from unseasonably warm Toronto, Ontario)
<<EricR'¦from wet and chilly South Carolina>>
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