Corner overflow intakes

[user3]

I am in the process of acquring my first reef-ready tank after coming from a 55g non-drilled tank that sprang a leak and flooded, and I am concerned about the overflow box on the new tank. A Deep Blue tank I saw has only one row of slots in the overflow box at the surface, and the Perfecto tank I am getting has slots at the suface, middle, and bottom of the overflow box if I remember correctly. While I understand drawing water from multiple levels is beneficial, and multiple levels offers redudancy in the event some slots become clogged, I think I would prefer having slots only at the top, which would prevent a flood in the event that a bulkhead seal fails. My reasoning being that the only water that would flood would be the water that drains from the surface (not much), and whatever water is in the overflow box (not too much) as opposed to a continuous flow from slots that span the height of the overflow box. Research indicates that bulkhead failures are rare, but I am already scarred from a flood. Is there any equipment I can use to prevent this, should I seal the middle and bottom rows of slots in the new overflow box or is this a silly idea.

Thanks in advance

 

[Sn8kbyt]

Silly idea, the middle and lower slots will only provide water if water overflows the top. If you look at the overflow there is an outer and inner wall. The inner wall is level with the upper teeth of the outer wall. So no flow from the upper teeth any openings below make no difference.

 

[user3]

I thought of this scenario after leaving the store, didn't notice the double wall. That makes sense though, the middle and lower level slots are redundancy in the event the top level slots clog. Thanks for the info. Is this a common design in overflows or specific to Perfecto and how would one clean the area between the two walls in the event detritus or sand get in there?

 

[sbeason]

The front part of the overflow does un-snap.....or at least mine does.

 

[5pacey]

I thought of this scenario after leaving the store, didn't notice the double wall. That makes sense though, the middle and lower level slots are redundancy in the event the top level slots clog. Thanks for the info. Is this a common design in overflows or specific to Perfecto and how would one clean the area between the two walls in the event detritus or sand get in there?

Its not redundancy... the lower slots won't pull any water if water doesn't already flow on the top. Meaning, that if the top gets clogged, it will also stop the flow from the bottom slots. It kind works like water venturi... the top flow creates pull from the bottom slot.

The only reason there is a bottom flow is to add some suction from that lower level, so not all water going into the overflow comes from the surface, but some also from the water column.

BUT... it all only flows into the overflow over the top.

Best,

Space

 

[user3]

Its not redundancy... the lower slots won't pull any water if water doesn't already flow on the top. Meaning, that if the top gets clogged, it will also stop the flow from the bottom slots. It kind works like water venturi... the top flow creates pull from the bottom slot.

The only reason there is a bottom flow is to add some suction from that lower level, so not all water going into the overflow comes from the surface, but some also from the water column.

BUT... it all only flows into the overflow over the top.

Best,

Space

thank you sir, that was exactly the information i was looking for