OK, I'm getting closer and closer to starting the 155/175 bowfront upgrade of my dreams. I don't really love the typical intank overflow boxes in most tanks, and have read alot about the desirability of "calfo" style surface skimming, but, I'm also concerned about cleaning and maintenance of said approach. So I've been thinking about something like this...
First, in the back high corner of each side of the tank I would put a 1 - 1.5" bulk head with strainer. I would then take a 5-6' long piece of 3-3.5" ABS (black) pipe that had slots cut into it along the length on one side, and cut it in half and create some type of coupling/slip fitting so that I could put it over the two opposing bulk heads, across the back of the tank, thereby covering, but not disturbing the bulkheads. Assuming I can get the thing on in the first place with my slip/coupling or fitting, that means I should also be able to take it off for cleaning/maintenance.
Since the bulkheads themselves are mounted high, I figure that having a watertight seal where the sleeve overflow skimmer meets the side of the tank is not really important.
Does this make any sense?
First, in the back high corner of each side of the tank I would put a 1 - 1.5" bulk head with strainer. I would then take a 5-6' long piece of 3-3.5" ABS (black) pipe that had slots cut into it along the length on one side, and cut it in half and create some type of coupling/slip fitting so that I could put it over the two opposing bulk heads, across the back of the tank, thereby covering, but not disturbing the bulkheads. Assuming I can get the thing on in the first place with my slip/coupling or fitting, that means I should also be able to take it off for cleaning/maintenance.
Since the bulkheads themselves are mounted high, I figure that having a watertight seal where the sleeve overflow skimmer meets the side of the tank is not really important.
Does this make any sense?