C2C Overflow Question

[d2mini]

A normal coast-to-coast overflow is typically a square box that runs the length of the tank. If this box is internal, you end up with a "shelf" of sorts, shading anything directly below it. Now imagine if the inside of the overflow was the same, but the outside came down in the front like normal, and then when it gets to the base of the overflow it angles or curves back at a 45 degree angle, meeting up with the back wall of the tank. So if sealed all around you end up with a triangular space of air. Would this air pocket create any problems you can think of? I don't think you'd want the interior of the overflow to have that angle, because you'd end up with a bunch of junk stuck at the bottom seam, and it wouldn't work well with a beananimal setup. From the front of the tank, I think it would create a much nicer viewing experience. And you would still have more space for rock and stuff than you would with a big overflow that went all the way down to the bottom of the tank.

 

[todddye]

I built my c2c overflow out of clear acrylic in order to minimize the shadows, and it works to the extent I keep my overflow clean and free of coralline which isn't all that easy.

I don't see any issue with your idea but I'm not sure it would really improve the appearance that much. I'd rather have the extra water volume displaced by the angle you're thinking about, but that's just me.

If I were building my tank all over again, I'd build the overflow on the exterior of the back and have my beananimal drain enter from the bottom of the overflow. I didn't have the space behind my 120 to do this, but my next one will probably done this way.

 

[d2mini]

Ya, my current one has a glass bottom, but i don't like to waste light over the overflow anyway which grows algae inside. And my next overflow will have an acrylic cap, anyway. Also, the area I'm thinking of taking up with the angled piece is currently wasted space. External would be optimal, but impossible for me. Water volume loss would be minimal for me since I have a 200g display with another 150g out in my fish room.

Just curious about that air pocket.