180 acrylic ???

[bryanth73]

I am looking to swap out my 180 for a new design. My current is a single overflow and is verry old. I am looking for ideas on the new overflow design, should I go center, corners or an external calfo/coast to coast style?? Also any ideas on what additional features to consider in an acrylic tank (glass is out of the question)

 

[anjhof]

From what I understand - some makers sell 180's in 3/8" thick acrylic which would probably bow out over time - look for 1/2" thick all the way around and maybe even 3/4" thick on the top - be careful with the placement of your lights - especially MH - which can cause problems with the top.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

If its inwall, go with an external overflow. If its not in wall, then an external overflow will force you to keep the tank several inches off the wall.

Like anjohof mentioned, make sure its atleast 1/2 material, and be careful with the bracing if you use MH. You can't place them over a brace. You might want to think about euro-bracing to eliminate this, or even no bracing if you have the budget.

Then think about a closed loop for extra flow (unless you use power heads). Get it drilled by the manufacturer ahead of time. That way its covered under the warranty, just in case!

 

[Natterjak]

My 180 is 1/2" all the way around, and 1" on top. It has a 4"-7" brace around the perimeter, and I have two 4" center braces (rather than a single center brace), placed so that my 3 MH lights are all over openings, and not directly over any braces. I had my tank built with a single center overflow.

 

[bryanth73]

bonnie any pics of the tank

 

[Natterjak]

Here's a few - it's going in our new house, so it's not set up yet, but this should give you an idea of how the top looks as well as the overflow placement.