My 46 Gallon Bow Front Build Help Me

[oneoffcustom]

Ok so here it is. I am doing a 46 gallon bow front build, with a 29 gallon sump. This is going to be a lengthy build, as i want to do as much of it as i can. The build has already started and i will post some pictures. I have drilled the tank for 1 overflow and 1 return using 3/4 bulk heads. From the bulk heads i 90 down towards where my sump where i will be using two 3/4 ball joints. I am going to try to keep the flow to 300 gph, as i will be using a maxi 1100 sump pump for my return. A BIG QUESTION I HAVE FOR ANYONE WHO WILL ANSWER ME IS, CAN THIS BE DONE WITHOUT USING AN OVERFLOW BOX???? I tried my hand at building an over flow box that came out like crap and would rather not use 1 at all. I would ather just use my sump for refugium.

Please give input as its the only way we learn...

 

[mrbill70]

It looks like you have built an overflow in one of your pictures. If those 2 holes/bulkheads shown in the picture are what you plan on using for a drain/return, without an overflow box the water level is going to be quite low. People use overflow boxes to skim the surface of the water (yummy proteins/organics hang out on the surface) while still giving some edge distance for drilling the holes for the bulkheads. Also, if the other hole is going to be your return line (and not closed loop), consider how much water could potentially siphon out of your DT into your sump in the event of a power failure. I would plan your anti-siphon holes carefully.

Another thing I notice is your lack of any kind of standpipe. Alot of people use durso standpipes (or similar) to quiet the overflow drains. They can get quite noisy if air gets sucked down the pipes and isn't vented.

 

[imsuperjp]

There are some LFS in houston that can build you an overflow for a pretty low price.

 

[oneoffcustom]

super are you from houston or know of 1 that will?

 

[imsuperjp]

I know Bay Area Aquarium near Clear Lake will build them. Check out www.marshreef.com if you haven't already and most of the sponsors will build an overflow. You can also post there to get more local help.

 

[oneoffcustom]

another question is can i use normal spray paint to paint the inside of the or the out side or the overflow box i built

 

[saltee dood]

heh, funny that you post that at this time. I'm drilling tomorrow on a 46 bowfront just like that one...except I will be drilling 5 holes (3 for Bean's overflow setup and 2 returns).

Its already too late for you to try that(I highly recommend it) since your drain hole is already done and is much too low for use in a calfo overflow(a side to side shallow overflow box)

There is no reason to go all the way to the bottom on whatever overflow you end up using, leave just enough room for a 90 elbow coming out of the bulkhead and make the bottom there.

I would also second the suggestion to visit MARSH ( http://www.marshreef.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=index ) ...there are a bunch of really helpful and smart people there to possibly give you some local-oriented help.


Question for you: Did you have any issues drilling with the bowed face down? I notice you just set it on the grass and drillled that way, one would think that the rocking that could occur would cause problems while drilling. I have been hesitant to do it till I can figger out a stable way to hold it.

What I have decided to do is to drill from the inside, I can lay the flat back across a couple pieces of scrap 2x4 and my drill is a 90 degree one so it will easily fit inside with room to spare.

anyway...Im right about with you on the same exact setup(46 with 29 sump), so we both face the same issues.

 

[oneoffcustom]

cool. lets keep in touch then. and no i had no trouble but my grass is thick... went right through