bean animal overflow questions

[joncat24]

I am getting ready to drill a new 125 gallon perfecto for a bean animal overflow.
I was wondering what is the best place to drill the holes--as far as how far down from the trim of the tank? I was thinking about making an overflow box out of black acrylic to hide the plumbing but I am worried about blocking the light and causing a shadow. I was maybe gonna try a black front with a clear bottom on the box to prevent this from happening.
I am leaning towards making the box about 24" long from one end so I will be able to reach behind it and get to the plumbing, as the tank will be up against a wall. I was thinking of a 24 x5 x5" box, with the top of the box about even with the black trim , so that the water level will be above the black trim of the tank.???

any ideas or advice is appreciated....thx

 

[cardiffgiant]

Mine overflow box is 36"W x 7.5" H x 4"D, and my holes are about 4" down from the top of the tank. Mine is done in black acrylic.

It does offer some shade toward the back of the tank, but not a lot. I've got some corals that prefer that area. IMO, if you try a clear acrylic you're likely to make a lot of funky overflow algae and coralline more visible.

Good luck with the overflow, I've really loved mine!!