See Through System Help!

[Kaiden]

Does anyone have any ideas for a see through reef system that does not have a typical grated overflow? I would like the system to be without one. Any ideas?

 

[sfsuphysics]

Is it only going to be viewable from two sides? ie the long ones to see through? If so you could do an external overflow on one or both sides

If you want a 4 side viewable the only thing you're left with is centrally located overflows, typically people build rock structures & glue corals to them.

 

[ReefingBuddha]

check out my thread... i am trying to do the same thing and just posted my first design idea. The overflows are mostly hidden by the two walls and take up minimal tank space.

Let me know what you think.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1102070

 

[SWSaltwater]

If you need 4 sides viewable do a typical center 4 sided overflow and foam it to create a natural look to it. Then make a nice aquascape so you wont even know it's there. Best to go with a Close loop on those since it's hard to conceal power heads.

 

[Kaiden]

Thanks for the ideas! The tank will be 4 side viewable, so with that said I was just wondering if there was a design out there without an overflow. I did not think it would be a common design, just seen what's out there.

 

[causeofhim]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9765043#post9765043 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SWSaltwater
If you need 4 sides viewable do a typical center 4 sided overflow and foam it to create a natural look to it. Then make a nice aquascape so you wont even know it's there. Best to go with a Close loop on those since it's hard to conceal power heads.

Yep! That's the way to do it. I just wouldn't use foam myself.

 

[Kaiden]

Sorry guys, I know how to do it with an overflow, that's no problem. I have seen systems Without the Overflow, that's what I am looking for?

Sorry about the confusion....

 

[DrBDC]

You might be thinking of a zero-edge aquarium.

 

[Kaiden]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9766489#post9766489 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrBDC
You might be thinking of a zero-edge aquarium.

Explain! I am not thinking of the tank that flows over the sides if that is what you are thinking of.

Say you take a regular tank and put it in the middle of the room. Then you plumb it so that there is no overflows meaning there is some type of drain in the middle that is below the rock. I have seen it before but I did not have time to stop and ask about it.

 

[Invso]

Well if there's a drain below the rock you need to make sure your sump is big enough to handle all that water in the event of a power outage.

 

[Kaiden]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9769826#post9769826 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Invso
Well if there's a drain below the rock you need to make sure your sump is big enough to handle all that water in the event of a power outage.

That's what I was trying to understand. I do realize this, I guess I was just thinking maybe someone had done this with a method that avoided this security style system.

 

[dogstar74]

You could go skimmerless, and barebottom and have several Vortec pumps placed on the bottom of the tank pointing up only. Maxed out with appx 4 pumps, you'd have a ton of random flow. Then just top off everyday with kalkwasser and do 25% water changes every other week or so.

Hope it works out for you.