Overflow - not sure if it will work

[ucdcrew]

I tried to post this on the Reef Discussion Forum, but got no bites. It was also worded poorly, which probably did not help.

I have an acrylic tank with a built in overflow. There is one hole in the bottom of the tank. There is a strange chamber which I assume is for running the returns up the back of the tank. I speak math better than English, so here are some drawings of what I'm talking about.

That is a picture of the overflow that is in the center of my tank. The back piece attaches to the back wall of the tank and is watertight - possibly for return. There is a hole there (rectangular) that looks like it would run to sump.

Here is a top view - there is one hole for a bulkhead. It has teeth too.

If I can get a standpipe from the going up - can I also put a hole in the back for a second standpipe? I think I'll probably need to sketchup that too - when I get home if it doesn't make sense.

 

[Pife]

I think they are your over flows. If you can get a bulkhead in the bottom of the back one I would add a second drain.

 

[ca1ore]

If there is an open, rectangular opening in the bottom of that back 'channel' then it is designed to function as a 'raceway' of sorts for returns, wires, etc. If your diagram is to scale, it does not appear there is any room for a second drain in the bottom of the overflow. If you are looking to run some variation of a herbie/siphon, then you could put a hole in the side wall of the overflow for the siphon, put in a bulkhead, and then run the pipe down the raceway.

 

[ucdcrew]

I wonder if it would function properly if I put a bulkhead/street elbow in the wall between the raceway and the overflow. The other option might be an overflow box, and just use the internal for the return. I have an overflow box that i might be able to transfer - not sureif i can get it off the busted glass thank though.

 

[ca1ore]

Other thing you could would be to use the raceway as an open channel drain by putting an acrylic patch with a bulkhead in it over the rectangular hole in the bottom.

 

[ucdcrew]

um...you're brilliant. In my defense - I have worked 14 days straight of 12 hour days though

 

[rwb500]

some photos of the tank would be more helpful than diagrams

 

[ucdcrew]

meh - I think I'm just gonna grab another top overflow box and set it up with a bean animal like my old tank. I'm assuming you can drill acrylic - I did the glass myself. I might try to run the return up through the center. I'll probably have to grab another power head negate a possible dead spot on the opposite side of the overflow from the weir. I just feel more comfortable with the extra emergency there. Might be a different story if it was my house, but I'll be renting till April of next year (yes, he knows about my tank....its actually mentioned in writing in my lease).