Help me pick out overflow locations for my SPS tank (upgrading to a larger tank)

[concept3]

I was quite lost where to post this, but being that I am an SPS nut like all you guys here, I thought I would pop the question here first.

I am in the process of possibly doing an upgrade from my current 75 gallon tank to a 100 (and change) gallon tank COZ the boys are getting quite large, and one of them whispered to me the other night and said, "Dude, we need a bigger tank "

Being that it will be custom made (front starfire), I still yet have to decide where to place the overflows.


Any recommendations? What have you had, seen, or liked. My 75 is an AGA RR, and the offset overflow box has always bothered me from the get go since they stopped making the corner versions.


The new tank dimensions will be 60 inches long by 20 inches deep by 20 inches high. WIth this new found depth, I plan on going with the minimalist approach and only go with under 60 lbs of Liverock and 4 to 7 large colonies.


I need the following dimensions because of my limited space (I will eliminate the frag tank next to it), and it allows me to still use my lighting equipment and sump stuff. I basically have about 100 gallons now anyways, but I think now I just want a display. Weight is also an issue as I live upstairs in a condo, and there's nothing worse than the scary thought of the floor giving to dead weight of the tank, equipment, and water, so no more than 120 gallons in a 5 foot spread is what I'm aiming for.


Here's the tank anyhows back in December:

 

[concept3]

whoops, forgot to add the poll, oh well.


I was either aiming for:

ONE corner overflow

OR

TWO corner overflows

OR


ONE 6" X 9" overflow in the middle rear center of the tank.

 

[fast94m]

Is the 6x9 overflow going to be inside the tank or built in external? if external i vote that cause i like the look of those and it'll free up more room for your beautiful lookin sps

 

[concept3]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7787754#post7787754 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fast94m
Is the 6x9 overflow going to be inside the tank or built in external? if external i vote that cause i like the look of those and it'll free up more room for your beautiful lookin sps

Thanks for the compliment, and I too, like the look of a clean tank without overflows.


I forgot in the last post, can't do external since I'm tied up for space on the wall too since it'll stick out too far. Basically, the tank is in the dinig room, and I've already taken up 1/3 of it. Considering the dining room (or nook, rather) is only 9' X 10', that's a good part of that real estate, and THE BOSS won't be too happy with that

 

[Kip]

i have an overflow in the center back wall of my tank and hate it because the tank is against the wall..... really sucks taking the canopy off to be able to look down into the overflow to see if a fish has jumped in there, algae has accumulated in there, etc

if the tank is gonna be against a wall... i vote corner(s)

 

[kozmo02]

If I could do it all over again and have a custom built tank, I wouldn't put an overflow in the tank at all, I would have the overflow box run along the backside of the tank so that it is not visible when looking in the front.

A few people have done this here on the boards, run a search or hopefully someone chimes in, I wish I had a pic so it would make more sense, but basically there are grates at the top of the glass along the back of the tank just like an overflow, but the water spills into an external overflow box that is plumbed down into the sump. It works the same as an overflow box in tank would, so you don't have to worry about it breaking siphon like you some times do with hang on overflows, and it looks way better too.

 

[EmDy]

I have almost similar dimension, the overflow is the middle due to the wavebox optimal requirement.

 

[clownnrnd]

If your going custom for a couple bucks more you could do a external overflow. Totally sweet IMO.
Chad

 

[RokleM]

None of the above I have an overflow in my 58, and yes it's a pain trying to work in there. When I was looking at 180's, I found one with just the holes in the back drilled, and have LOVED the setup thus far. The tank seems to have so much more room inside without the wasted space. The only downside is the tubing you see inside, but the back is painted black, so I painted the PVC black as well.

Top left, top right. Return splits and comes in left and right just barely past the middle. This is perfect, because it forces water across the surface right towards the strainer.

Just my opinion of what I'm enjoying thus far. I have seen what the others are talking about with backside longer overflows, and they do look good (especially on cube type setups).

 

[143gadgets]

Man, I am really digging the decision to have a small amount of live rock with some big colonies. I have always been a fan of those setups. I am thinking of getting the exact same tank, but I am gonna get the Calfo-style overflow(external along the back of tank). Good luck man and I can't wait ot see some pics.

 

[Wiskey]

I would not do the 2 holes idea unless you went with 2 inch plus holes. I have 2 3/4 holes in the top back of my tank and HATE it I ended up having to make boxes to glue on and they still don't work. Every little change in return pump size caused masive water level changes, and I can only really push about 150 GPH through each one VS the 300 you could do with water weight.

I vote for corners or better yet external, I will never do the 2 holes in the top back again.

Here is a very old pic to show how it used to be setup: Long before I went BB

You can see the bottom of the 90's in the top left and right.

Here is what I had to do to make it even half way work:

See the rigged up boxes?

HTH,
Whiskey

 

[concept3]

cool guys, it seems like most people like the idea of an external box. I'm contemplating about that now, but I'd still like to see who else has any other recommendations on internal ones.


Keep i comin'

 

[NewSchool04]

I built a horizontal overflow and love it. If I could do it over I would have figured out a way to do it as an external. Once you take the room your pipes use coming out of the back especially if you have a durso, that room could be used for an external box with the durso inside it.

 

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7790872#post7790872 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wiskey
I would not do the 2 holes idea unless you went with 2 inch plus holes. I have 2 3/4 holes in the top back of my tank and HATE it I ended up having to make boxes to glue on and they still don't work. Every little change in return pump size caused masive water level changes, and I can only really push about 150 GPH through each one VS the 300 you could do with water weight.

I don't completely understand your problem. I've used anywhere from 150 GPH to about 1200 GPH with great success on mine. Did you just stick a strainer horizontal into the tank, or did you put in a 90 degree THEN the strainer? The second option is what most people, and I included did with great success.

I can potentially see the problem with 2 small 3/4 holes. I don't know of many tanks that use that small of a return (I put one in my custom 20 gallon fuge). Even my 58 gallon RR came with a 1" hole. Mine are dual 1.5" on the 180.

Keys are, decent size (don't need 2-3" as many people will likely recommend), 90 degree up then strainer, and a durso type setup outside (I can explain if you don't follow).

 

[RichConley]

HOrizontal/External(drilled) overflow. Search for "calfo overflow" if you want to see examples.

 

[concept3]

bump

 

[concept3]

okay, time is nearing so I can get this thing ordered. I'm thinking one corner overflow at this point...............

any others?

 

[TandN]

Rolkem could you PM me i have a question for you
TIA