Overflow Inner VS outer

[maroun.c]

Hi,
am still inthe planning period of a new tank and was wnodering if I should go for an inner overflow or just have an outer one?
My tank will be custom made and I was conisdering having them add an outer box with two holes on the top of one side of the tank directly feeding it. this I guess would prevent against starting it up after a power off or if there is a power outage... I could just add a plastic mesh to avoid having any inhabitants Sucked in. Then I could have hte return pipe pass through this glass box into the tank or maybe directly go in the tank from above in the back to avoid further holes in the tank... I still have no final design and would appreciate any ideas, or any explanation of any design over the other. Pics will be greatly appreciated.

 

[KDodds]

If you can afford it and have the room behind the tank, external overflows are awesome, definitely the way to go, IMO. You then can have NOTHING inside the tank taking up space, or taking away from aesthetic appeal. You can treat these overflows just like normal internal overflows, except that you have to remember that you'll lose the angle. So, instead of, say, a 6x6 box, you'll need a length of 12" across the back of the tank. You can come over the top with your returns, or you can drill the tank. I'd go with a solid back, less worry about painting (and flaking). With a solid back you can really put the returns anywhere you want, you'll only see the bulkhead, and any return nozzles, when viewing the tank.

 

[maroun.c]

Totally Agree guess I'll just have to decide according to the location ofthe tank if it'll be on the side or behind the tank.
Any further ideas or pics would be appreciated.

 

[KDodds]

I'll have to downsize the pics I have for the gallery here. If I have time tonight I'll see what I can do.

 

[thor32766]

yes I totally agree. You lose so much space with inside overflows.