Best way to rig octo overflows

[O. Eye]

Chris,

We corresponded a bit about a year ago when I had money and was on my way to getting my tank set up. Well...a replaced transmission, some cylinder head work, two home improvement projects, and the loss of supplemental income later - I'm still reading every day but am no longer speeding towards setting up my own octopus wonderland. Some day. And when that day comes, I want it to be a spectacle.

Anyway, I continue to scratch my noodle about the best way to have my overflows to my sump. I believe you suggested drilling the back of the tank and using bulkheads with screens to skim the top of the water. There are little socks that can be tied around the screens to make sure baby cephs don't do a waterslide into the sump.

Of course, everything I read in other forums (that aren't aimed at the cepher) suggest overflows and perhaps a sand pipe to cut down on noise. This 65 gal. All Glass tank is an octopus tank - not a reef tank. Well, right now it's just an empty glass box sitting on my workbench downstairs waiting for me to accidentally slide a wrench or a hammer into the side of it. I have a lot of time to plan out the ideal tank setup and I want it to be as close to perfect as it can be - both for my octopus and for that octo's family as well.

Anyway, can you (and anyone else too please!) post pictures of what your overflows look like. Do you use the 90 degree elbows to pull water off of the surface of your tank? I've read elsewhere that this can be loud. I want to get the funk off of the surface of my water and want it to be less than thunderous and undorky looking too. A tall order...I don't think so.

As a side note, I'm going to build my own tank stand and again, I am going to have a long time to do it exactly how I want it and would like there to be something in its design that would be cephy. At the same time I want it to be unusual but subtle. There are a lot of creative folks on this board so...please, share your ideas. Remember, it can't be over the top - artistic octo class is what I'm looking for.

Thanks everyone!

The local LFS has a 120 gal Perfecto on sale for $200. Think I could have two bimacs in there if I got this? Wow...what size skimmer would I need. Aqua C what?

 

[Gonodactylus]

I have a lot of different configurations. A lot of this is going to depend on where you have the sump. When I have it directly below the tank, I prefer a stand-off fitted into the bottom. This does a good job skimming the surface, is not too noisy, and has the added benefit that if I ever need to complletely drain the system, I can literally pull the plug.

For quiet operation, I prefer to have the sump in parallel with the Aquarium. Water leaves the tank through siphons. THis means that you can pull water from anywhere below the surface. However, relying on the siphon to always maintain its integrety can be a bit risky.

On tip that I think is important. Always have two outlets whether you are dealing with a stand-off, siphon, or surface holes. You are probably going to use a mesh screen to keep your animals from escaping down the pipe. It is really easy for these to clog, particularly if unattended for a few days.
A second screened opening can provide some safety. When I have a stand-off, I use a second one an inch or so higer. This doesn't have to involve two holes in the bottom. You can use a y-connector near the top of the stand-off and have one stem longer than the other. SLip screens over both and should the first clog, the second will kick in. It is cheaper than a float cut-off switch and seems just as reliable.

Roy

 

[joefish84]

ive also been thinking about how to rig my over flows and have been wondering about the best way...
i like the duel overflow idea but how did you do your return... im considering drilling like 3 different holes for my return one on the side of the tank adn the other2 on the back ( for creating a nice current flow)... also have you ever heard of anyone having any trouble with the octs going in the return tubing (cause for a need to screen these off)?

 

[Gonodactylus]

I've had more than one octopus chewed up by the impellers of a pump including small species that actually manage to crawl upstream.

Roy